To Belem

 

The flight went from a rainy departure in Manaus by jet, first to Santarem, where I had to change to a turboprop, then on to Belem, where I stayed on the ground for about 24 hours. Knowing where I was, figuring I'd never get back to that town again,, I needed to hit the ground running and try to know a little of that town before I continued on to French Guinana to begin my final departure from this continent.

 

Below there seem to be endless waterways alternating with jungle.

 

The next aircraft, going from Santarem to Belem.

 

A nursing mom and her kids got priority access, which is cool
And ready to take off yet again. People in Santarem said, what, you're leaving? You should stay here for a few days at least. This is the real wilderness outpost. Great place to see wildlife. Wish I had the time. My schedule, at this point, had no flexibility left. I had a specific date with a United Airlines jet out of Panama City.

 

 

Santarem airport

 

And one of those amazing places not far from that town.

 

This is freaking me out. There had been one more stop in a small town in that region of Brazil, but I simply can't remember the name. Near the airport it had a huge cookie-cutter housing area. Don't know what that was all about. It was an in and out sort of thing and the next leg of the third flight of that day ended in Belem.

 

Rivers here were anything but easily navigable, that much is clear. I guess that tends to keep the region wilderness for a little longer. Brazil is known to convert a vast amount of jungle into (poor) arable land each year for its growing and also poor population.

 

Approaching Belem, which is next to Para river delta, part of the larger estuary of the Amazon flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.

 

The Brazilian River Navy sailors definitely have their work cut out for them.

 

Coming to a full stop, late afternoon, in Belem.

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