Jungle Jayne

So I survived my first jungle experience and was now ready to face the real jungle, the Amazon, my name for the next week was Jungle Jayne.

I crossed the border at Iguazu falls and was in the vast country of Brazil.  It was definitely a daunting prospect to be facing such a huge country as once again I did not know the language and immediately realised that this was a continent on its own, with such cultural differences from the rest of Latin America.  This was going to be a challenge.

seeing a bus stop just a little walk away outside the airport I immediately headed for it, didn’t really matter what direction it was going in just as long as it was going somewhere

After waiting eight hours at the bus station for my bus out of Iguazu (Brazil) to Curitiba where I was planning to get my flight out to the Rain Forest, I was finally on my way.  I knew that from this point onward I would be on my own again as everyone waiting at the bus terminal were heading up the coast for sun, sea and sand.  Fortunately on arriving in Curitiba I met a lovely Medical student from Germany.  Daniel spoke very good English and was extremely helpful; I think that my guardian angel was looking down on me that day as I wouldn’t have been able to book my flight out if it wasn’t for him.  Despite being in Curitiba for only one day, and Daniel and I being the only tourists in the city I had a lovely time, covering every topic of conversation under the sun.  Anyway enough about my other German friend, I was off to Manaus and ready to face the jungle.

I arrived in Manaus about 6 in the evening to a very isolated and quiet airport.  It was oddly deserted and on seeing a bus stop just a little walk away outside the airport I immediately headed for it, didn’t really matter what direction it was going in just as long as it was going somewhere.  There was a bizarre atmosphere of almost arriving at no man’s land but at the same time feeling like an alien in a new town, this mood continued when I got on the bus.  To be honest I really didn’t know where I was going, I knew this was the bus into town and that is where I wanted to be so there was no option really, but sometimes getting on a local bus is just not done in a strange way, you stick out like a sore thumb.  Anyway, I was obviously looking lost, and if I am honest out of my depth, as a kind gentleman asked me where I was trying to get to, I quickly showed him the addresses of a few hostels I knew, happy for some help (more like hotels in less known places as Brazil is not quite able to cater for the tourists properly yet) and he had a chat to the bus driver and told me where to get off.  Before I had tried to give the bus fare to the driver (as you pay when you get off weirdly), and quickly had my hand whipped back for giving too much money by the Samaritan, he told me to be wary of where I was, nothing more nothing less.  It was odd because it was so similar to the situation in Peru on the way to Pisco, someone was most certainly watching over me, and as soon as a local says something like that I try to remember not to become too complacent.  As soon as I dumped my stuff off in the hotel I found I immediately started to look for a guide. 

There are many tour guides in Manaus, and not all kosher to say the least.  I spent the next two hours asking every question you could think off to my tour agency about my trip but still managed to pay too much.  Good fortune appeared again for me as despite being shunned onto another tour guide to make up the numbers I ended up being with the most knowledgeable, talented and interesting tour guide in Manaus, aren’t I lucky (well as far as I know).  I was leaving at 7.30 in the morning the next day, so all I had to do now was prepare myself and pack.

Before I start ranting on about my five days in the Jungle I would like to note a few things.  Firstly I would like to apologise in advance for my description of this experience, never been much of a writer.  Second, every moment I describe I would like you to times it by ten and you might get close to the feeling I felt when I was living this amazing dream.  Last but not least I will try and take you step by step through my journey but I may not remember everything so when I come back home and tell you more tales from the forest then please believe me I am telling the truth I just may not remember it now.

Now let’s begin.....