"Back in The Trees Again" It had been two years since my last visit to Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel and I was more than eager to get back in the trees! Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the "welcome committee," a playful troop of…Read More

"Back in The Trees Again"

It had been two years since my last visit to Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel and I was more than eager to get back in the trees! Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the "welcome committee," a playful troop of woolley monkeys with the irrepressible Natalie in the lead. She immediately took to my shoulders and gave me the appearance of a Russian with one of those funny fur hats! The staff had fun making sure the rest of the rambunctious troop did not enter the reception area and kept them distracted out on the boat launch. After convincing Natalie I would be around for a few days, she released the monkey grip she had on my head and let me check in and find my suite. This time I had the pleasure of the "Suite Divino," with a 360-degree panoramic view into the rainforest canopy! This is truly heaven, 3 days with only the sounds of tropical birds and monkeys howling in the distance! Good-bye phone, fax, computer…Hello, piranha fishing!

Finding my way down Tower 5 and onto the catwalk suspended over Ariau Creek, I spotted two bright red macaws perched on a tree. Spider monkeys scurried playfully at my feet as I carefully and quickly entered the restaurant on top of Tower 4, making sure none of my little friends would slip in as well. One of the absolute delights of Ariau is the regional Amazonian cuisine served up buffet-style three times a day. At breakfast, an array of tropical fruits that are not even known outside of the region are displayed beside a large selection of warm homemade Brazilian pastries, breads, and soft cheeses. A delicate white manioc pancake the color and texture of lace is enjoyed lightly spread with sweet butter. Homemade jams and jellies with exotic Indian fruit names such as cupuacu, jaca, and acai add just the right touch. Then there is the Brazilian coffee - need I say more?

Lunch and dinner feature absolutely exotic Amazonian freshwater fish, like the two-meter long pirarucu, or the delicious tambaqui, both prepared in the regional manner. On one wall of the restaurant are displayed hand-carved plaques in honor of illustrious guests who have also been initiated into the Ariau magic - Bill Gates, Isabel Allende, Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Jimmy and Roslyn Carter, and even the entire team of the Harlem Globetrotters!

After lunch, our little international group pile into a motorized canoe with Ricardo, our guide, and we're off for the afternoon to explore the flooded forest. As we leave Ariau Creek and approach the Rio Negro, an indescribable feeling of vastness fills me with wonder as we approach the mouth of the Anavilhanas Archipelago - largest grouping of freshwater islands in the world. Here the river becomes an ocean, at 17 miles from shore to shore. Pink dolphins splashing from the water create a magical landscape only equaled by a Peter Max painting. The sky seems to go on and on forever. We enter the flooded forest and the motor is turned off, and all at once, the wonder of the rainforest explodes around us as we navigate the backwaters. The primordial forest, vines lianas, bromeliads, butterflies - this is why I came. It is all right in front of me. I have returned to the place that I love.

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Capital of the state of Amazonas, Manaus is located in Brazil´s northernmost region and is one of the country's most exotic gateways. At the end of the 19th century Manaus was the center of the world rubber trade. The latex of the indigenous rubber tree…Read More

Capital of the state of Amazonas, Manaus is located in Brazil´s northernmost region and is one of the country's most exotic gateways. At the end of the 19th century Manaus was the center of the world rubber trade. The latex of the indigenous rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) brought an enormous wealth to the city. Many historical landmarks from that period still ornament its skyline: the joyful Amazonas Theater, the floating harbor and the adjoining customs building (pre-fabricated in England), the Market Place (a cast-iron and colored glass copy of Paris' Les Halles). Today, Manaus (pop. 2,000,000) boasts a busy industrial district producing sophisticated consumer goods, bustling Duty Free shops, a modern international airport and excellent first-class hotels. 70 percent of labour in Manaus serves it's 300-odd factories, of which most notably is the Brahma brewery. Most of the remaining 30% of the labour force feed the tourism industry.    Close

I was very excited to get to Manaus to do a jungle trip. I heard from a friend you can go fishing, hiking, camping etc. I pretty much picked the worst tour available. Do not have anything to do with the agents who try to…Read More

I was very excited to get to Manaus to do a jungle trip. I heard from a friend you can go fishing, hiking, camping etc. I pretty much picked the worst tour available. Do not have anything to do with the agents who try to smooth talk you at the airport, I knew this but I went with them anyways, big mistake.

They will overcharge you and probably send you to a bad location. Mine was the Anacondas Lodge. This lodge has a bad reputation, everyone from our group got sick, which is pretty normal for that place. The sewage is dumped into the river 10 feet from where they wash the dishes you eat on and where they suck up the water for your showers. An American drowned when a boat was flipped over near the end of 2006, nobody was wearing life jackets. The lodge location is in a part of the river which is more acidic. This means there is hardly any mosquitos, but it also means there is hardly any other wildlife.

It is better to get into town and research a couple of companies. I would rather pay a bit more than being stuck in an unsanitary situation. Find out which lodge they are sending you to. Stay away from anyone named Raimundo Alegre and anything to do with Anaconda Lodge. He will steal your money.

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It was a very nice experience for me to be there. Very confortable bungalos and delicious food. The Lodge is touched by the black waters of the Rio Negro and is blessed with the sounds, smells and mysteries of the Amazon Jungle. http://www.anavilhanaslodge.com/…Read More

It was a very nice experience for me to be there. Very confortable bungalos and delicious food. The Lodge is touched by the black waters of the Rio Negro and is blessed with the sounds, smells and mysteries of the Amazon Jungle.
http://www.anavilhanaslodge.com/   Close