July 23,

Jeff awoke me out of a deep sleep at 0300! He said the police were here and we needed to go out on deck. I think he had to tell me three times before it registered. We had to stand, lined on the sides of the deck – women on one side, men on the other. A police sniffer dog came down the stairs and sniffed at my shoe. Then it went on – all about and around the various luggage on the deck with handlers. All of the hammocks had been hooked up in the middle. I wanted to take a picture but dared not. Then the dog and handlers went back, I assume into the suites. By 0330, we were released and allowed back in our suite. By 0340 we were under way. Jeff looked up on the map and we were still 276 miles from Manaus. So we will be late getting in. I was able to go back to sleep until 0630. We both skipped breakfast again. We got around, doing our “river water” shower.

By 0830 we went out and up two levels to see about getting an internet link. Jeff bought two 12 hr links: one for my phone and one for the computer. Then we were able to post all our past days!!! 🤗😮‍💨That was a relief. While we were doing that we talked with S. He has decided he’s done with the hammock. I’m so glad we didn’t have a go at those! Anyway, the Amazon river seems busier here with boat traffic as we are closing in on Manaus…still at least half a day to go?? Then a float plane took off! Those are always fun to watch. A few people were all taking pictures of that. I was able to get in one as well. The only “stop” today was not actually a stop, but a meet up. A small boat came out and delivered a bag to the FB. We only had to slow down. Then large styrofoam coolers were put out on the water and the little boat picked them up. That was a different way to unload! About 1030, we finished loading up the blogs and pictures. It was just in time for lunch. We parted company with S and went down to our suite. We grabbed our containers and went for grub. Lunch today was rice, noodles, a brown bean soup, beef and chicken. The beans were tasty and a welcome change.

At 1530 out on our balcony, I saw two dolphins breach the surface from a distance! It is still cool to see them, especially since I didn’t know that we would see any at all. We saw more, one or two at a time, but Jeff definitely saw them. Then we saw a couple of large controlled fires…must be trash from clearing jungle for livable land, as I saw a crop of corn. The edges of the river were definitely being farmed, mostly what seemed to be banana trees. We also have noticed power lines to the houses, so they get electric power. We also saw a couple of cattle mini ranches, and noted what must be a moving-cattle boat. At 1630 we went for supper, which was rice, noodles and chicken. I’m pretty much over rice and noodles, just saying. When we finished, we stayed out on our balcony. Our balcony side is closest to the shore right now. Most of this afternoon the Amazon River is so wide, it seems to be a lake; and the wind is making the water’s surface choppy. Because of the width & choppiness of the water, on the balcony you would bet we were on a lake or possibly the ocean even. Jeff said S had told him that further downstream the Amazon River is so wide you couldn’t see the shores on either side. Amazing! We have pretty much decided to go the whole way down, we’ll see.

We went up to the back of the fourth level for sunset. The river had turned that it was more off to the side of the boat. We were deciding if we should just go back to our balcony when a man came to the area with some loud music blaring. It drowned out the engine sound! That made up our minds and we left. The sunset was nice from our balcony. It really evolved into a beaut! When it started getting dark we came up to a big bend in the river at the big city of Manacapuru. Google showed it being over 100,000 people. The boat did not get close to it. I also checked on Google and we were still 99 km (61 miles) from our destination of Manaus. So we may be spending much of the night onboard the FB. The only problem is the toilets, not just ours, seem to be having issues that started this afternoon.

Around 2000 we went back out to see the stars from the top, roof deck. S joined us and we sat, chatting with him until 2200. That was nice. But the staff started putting away the chairs and tables. So we parted company after exchanging contact info. Finally the FB pulled into Manaus! At 2316, we got off the boat…only 6 hrs late! Jeff tried to E-hail an Uber but two drivers cancelled on us. So he cancelled the request and we hoofed it…less than a half a mile. We found the place and tried to Whatsapp the janitor – message and calling – as the host informed us. But he did not respond. We were contemplating what to do when we saw the elevator door open and the janitor came out with some trash. He came to the gate and asked us for info(?), probably. Jeff showed him our booking with the apartment number and he let us in. So we entered the elevator to the sixth floor, found our place and entered, unloaded, showered and crashed by 0030!

  Welcome to Manaus, Brazil!!