Santarem is located at the confluence of the Tapajos and Amazon Rivers. It is the 2nd most important city in the state and the financial and economic centre of the western part of the state. It was once home to the Tapajos Indians. It is located some 800 km from the 2 largest cities in the Brazilian Amazon, Manaus upriver in the state of Amazonas and Belem, the Para state capital, located at the mouth of the Amazon.
As we approached Santarem there was a distinct meeting of the waters between the Amazon and the Tapajos River which was relatively clean.
Santarem appeared as a small town, although when we went back past it at night on the return journey, it seemed huge. We had been warned many times by the cruise company that towns in Brazil were dangerous in terms of being robbed etc, but I found Santarem to be quite laid back and relaxed.
It was a Thursday and this church was really packed for the midday service
Water front scenes. These boats are like river buses. Note the hammocks used by the passengers -
Floating fuel station -
I saw a surprising variety of wildlife. Most prolific were the black vultures.
red and green macaw -
juvenile black skimmer, followed by adult -
Amazon pink dolphin, the boto
great kiskadee -
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See the next blog on my Amazon cruise - Amazon, Boca da Valeria, Brazil.
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