Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 2/25/2006

Question
Hi Ken,

My wife and I will be in  Manaus on  March 16-17 prior to
leaving on an Oceania  Cruise Lines  trip down the Amazon and
ending in Barbados.  I would like  to know if you have any
recommendations for a day trip in Manaus which covers the city
(opera house) and also the meeting of the waters.  We are not
interested in doing a ship's tour but would rather book a tour on
our own.  Thanks for your assistance.

Regards,

Rudy

Answer
Rudy:
I was on Carnival holiday and only saw this today.

I have never been to the Amazon.  And I know you are in a hurry so Icant do much homework on this. I suggest you get in touch wtih Bill Hinchberger of BrazilMax...www.brazilmax.com.  There is good info there on the Amazon and you can email him directly.  Tell him Ken Rapoza sent you and he will get back to you asap.

I would also suggest you contact Douglas Trent at Focus Tours.   Tell him I sent you...www.focustours.com.  Doug is an expert on the AMazon.  Now, of course, if you are going to the Amazon there is just one real thing to see there beside the ole opera house...its nature.  Youre not going during an Amazon festival periods like Bumba Meu Boi.

Doug can also give you some tips or recommend a private guide in the Amazon for ya.

Have a good time.  You will "need" a yellow fever shot.  Its recommended.  Tho Ive been in the Pantanal and never got a shot and no one asks for it at the airports.

Ken