Anchored at Santarem

February 28 -last day of February
We are dropping anchor on the Amazon River at Santarem which is about half way between Belem and Manaus. Santarem is at the joining of the muddy Amazon and the clear mountain waters of the Rio Tapajos, both rivers show very different colors and flow toward the Atlantic side by side creating a beautiful demarcation between the two waters. It is called the Meeting of the Waters. Many tributaries along the Amazon will create this effect because the main river, the Amazon, carries sedimentary dark dirt from the Peruvian Andes coloring the water a mocha coffee color. The tributaries entering have clear water. The river supplies a fifth of the planets fresh water supply. When examining a detailed map of the Amazonian Basin you can see how the tributaries, over 1100, enter the main river. Rain water from Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia become the headwaters for the river which has many names but is known as the Amazon at Manaus. Ilha de Marajo is the largest river bound island in the world being the size of Switzerland. It is located at the mouth of the Amazon which is about 250 miles wide.
Because of the depth of the river and the ship's draft maneuvering our ship can be challenging as the river rises and falls frequently and sandbars along the river can change. Instead of heading west from Belem we needed to head out to the Atlantic go past Ilha de Marajo and enter one of the Amazon's northern forks. We had a wonderful subtropic storm with lightening and torrential downpour but it only lasted for about an hour and it cleared the air. The river is a highway in the delta. Because of flooding roads are not built and everyone owns a boat at least outside major cities. I will need to go onto the deck and take some pictures of Santarem from the ship. The temperatures are around 30 C degrees and with the humidity it is very hard to enjoy a walk so I have been staying close to home and just stepping out to view the surroundings.
Last night there were more flying bugs out on the decks attracted by the ship's lights than we have experienced since boarding. Mosquito's and I just do not get along.
Traveling on a long journey is interesting as on this ship which carries when full 843 passengers. I have met a lot of very interesting travelers from many countries. I chatted with a French retired movie producer who retired when digital format took over. I have listened to conversations about political issues and financial planning and just points of interest. A group of us have formed the HAL chorale under the direction of Daryl who plays piano. We will be giving a show in a week and it should be fun. I am also having fun playing for Grand Dollars so at the end of the trip I can cash them in and get a gift.
Here is hoping everyone is well and looking forward to Spring in the north. This is too warm for me.