March 30, 2025

Well before we started into the Amazon River, we saw signs of it – especially the brown shade of the water, caused by the immense amount of sediment that flows out into the Atlantic Ocean, covering 500 square miles. We are sailing along the confluence of the Amazon and the Tapajos rivers, where the murky Amazon flows alongside the blue green Tapajos in a mesmerizing sight that is referred to as the “Meetings of the Waters.” For hours, the two rivers run side by side but never mix-a very unusual sight.

We cruised for three days enroute to Santarém. During this part of our journey, we traveled between dozens of islands and eventually saw the rain forests on the port and starboard of the ship.

During the journey the forests gave way to small clearings where cattle graze. Along the way were tiny settlements, each with a few houses. Local inhabitants – often teenage boys – came out to follow us in their small boats powered by outboard motors.

Many houses on the river rest on stilts, and others float, being towed from place to place depending on water levels. 

As we approached Santarem, we saw many river boats docked on the shore. As the rainy season on the Amazon begins, (it is called the rain forest!) many were beginning to make the trip up and down the river to find dry land. The airfare from Santarém to Manaus is about $300 – a ride on a boat is about $20. You take your own hammock for sleeping along the way. The inhabitants are used to the changing water levels, which can be dozens of feet between the wet and dry seasons. 

There are few roads connecting the various communities, and not a single bridge crosses the Amazon River. It’s not just people who travel on the waters, but also raw materials and finished products. Cargill has a large soybean processing plant in Santarém. Tugs bring in barges of soybeans, and ships take the processed goods around the world and take the “river highway” to their final destinations.

We are now sailing toward Boca da Valeria, Brazil a tiny village home to about 100 people that our Hope for Today Charitable Fund supports. The residents-a mix of Indigenous and Portuguese heritage-are known as caboclos. Carved out of the jungle, it consists of about a dozen houses, along with a church and school. You will see why this community holds a special place in our hearts.

Thanks for traveling with us.