Manaus is not what you expect in the middle of the Amazon jungle – sprawling and home to two million souls it seems strangely placed. Until that is you realise it is at the intersection of two of the largest rivers – the Rio Negro which flows into the Amazon proper.

Although somewhat expected, the humidity was absolutely stifling and with no wind it felt completely airless. Without much time to see Manaus it was off early the next morning along with Laura and Dan – both from Switzerland but Laura visiting from time studying in Buenos Aires.

First we needed to cross the Rio Negro and Amazon and see the meeting of the waters. To call it a river is an understatement – I have never seen gas tankers anchored in a river before!

Meeting of the waters

The meeting of the waters brings the dark, warmer but less…