Returning to Manaus (Tuesday, June 13)

We're up early packing our much-used, sweated through clothes for the trip back to the city. We leave after breakfast and start the long way back gliding through the same dark waters, surrounded by the flooded trees, and even see a startled flock of birds

We retrace our steps to the landing, where the van is waiting, and then to the last boat, which will take us back across the meeting of the waters. It makes a stop at a floating dock, where there's an opportunity to catch and release a huge Piracuçu fish, several of which are kept in basins sunk into the river water. A small fish is tied to a stake, which is lowered to touch the water's surface, after which the fish jostle to catch the bait.

After this experience we head straight across the river and into the busy and dirty port area. We have definitely left the jungle behind. We're dropped at the lovely Juma Opera Hotel, where we enjoy a delicious lunch and share an artisanal Sá beer.

Then Oswaldo goes to shower, while I head out to buy us some clean clothes in a nearby shopping street. I'm walking again on the hot marble stones brought over from Italy and Spain, which surround the opera house. Later, refreshed from our showers and in new, clean clothes, we visit an interesting 'artesanato' store nearby, and make various purchases to bring home, and then finish the night with a drink overlooking the beautiful opera house.