Through the Amazon

Our journey began aboard the Viking Sea from San Juan, Puerto Rico and headed south to the heart of the Amazon — a distance of 1,000 miles from the Atlantic to the city of Manaus. Along the way we would hike through jungles, catch the infamous piranha, and witness part of one of the best festivals outside of Rio. But see for yourselves:

San Juan, Puerto Rico… The start and end of our journey to the Amazon.

Barbados… The first stop and we did a very short tour, so rather than include those photos, these are from a much better tour of the island we took a few years ago.

Iles du Salut… .Yes! A highpoint of cruise was a stop at Devil’s Island, the infamous prison. It was truly a terrifying place.

Santarem… An interesting little city with a taste of the rainforest.

Parintins… Is the site of one of the largest festivals outside of Rio and they put on a small part of the event for us.

Manaus… Is in the heart of the Amazon, over 1,000 miles from the Atlantic. The Opera House and other structures speak of the past wealth from the rubber plantations.

Belem… At the mouth of the Amazon, and also a place of past wealth.

Trinidad and Tabago… A wonderful island in the sun.

St Lucia… Is one of the prettiest island in the Caribbean. It has it all from mountain view to white sand beaches — and friendly locals. And where else can you drive through an active volcano?

St John’s, Antigua… Sugar plantation, beaches, and Nelson’s Dock Yard were just some of the fun places.

St Thomas, US Virgin Islands… Back in the USA with views and beaches.