Boca da Valeria

This was a ‘self-guided exploration’ of an ‘authentic’ Amazon village and Diva had rock-bottom expectations. The reality was worse. It started on the tender, with small boats coming alongside and a small boy thrusting a sloth at people so they could photograph it in return for money. On arrival in the village, there was a reception line of children with dollar signs in their eyes, two of whom grabbed Diva’s hands to escort her onwards. TSH wisely raised his hands so that they could not reach.

The promised monkeys, macaw, capybara, iguana, toucan and cayman were all seen but they were all tethered, some possibly dead and one possibly plastic. One crazy English woman had to be stopped by her husband from stroking the capybara. Some people were dressed in ‘Indian’ costumes which probably owed more to Disney than to native culture. Any photograph involved an expectation of payment. Why not a camera fee at the start to cover it all? TSH paid for one photograph by donating his pencil.

One woman was heard teaching a group of children to count in English. Not exactly the transfer of cultural information expected. The colonial instinct is alive, well and living on the Silver Whisper.

Diva thought nothing was authentic, nothing was enjoyable and the experience diminished both sides. If the people enjoy their simple life so much, as guides have been telling us, why are they allowing themselves to be turned into a zoo selling unwanted souvenirs to voyeuristic tourists? TSH enjoyed the trip but shared the view that it was somewhat artificial.

The only good bit was a few more pink dolphin sightings. TSH also got some better photos of vultures.