Manaus

Before I knew it, it was the start of a week break and I was off to fly to Brazil. I had planned to fly into Manaus, Brazil for two days and then spend five days in the Amazon. Of course an old injury in a ligament in my ankle happened the week before. I was now in a boot on my ankle butt made plans be careful before and during the trip.

At the airport in Quito.
On the second flight I was able to get a
row to myself to put my foot up for a bit.
One of the first things I bought the next morning was Portuguese egg tarts. So amazing and delicious.

In Manaus, my hotel was close to Teatro Amazonas.

Teatro Amazonas is a historic opera house located in Manaus, Brazil which is in the heart of the Amazon. It was constructed during the late 1800’s during the rubber boom. At that time Manaus was one of the wealthiest cities in the world due to the rubber trade. It was designed by an Italian architect and is opulent with French and other European touches. You can see both Renaissance and Baroque influences. The dome is beautiful and covered in 36,000 ceramic tiles. The theater hosted numerous performances by renowned artists and became a cultural hub for the region. As with most landmarks, it fell into disrepair and was restored. Teatro Amazonas still hosts operas, concerts, and other events.

The pink fabric helped in soundproofing.
The beautiful dune and chandelier in the concert hall.
View from the balconies.
The governor’s box surrounded by curtains.
In the ballroom where the floor and materials
found in the room are original.
The ceiling of the ballroom.
There chairs on the left are courting benches. Two single seats flank a wider bench in the center. The man and woman sit on the single chairs with their families in the middle. Across from them is a mirror. It is so designed so that you cannot see the other person in the couple but the families can see everything.
Such an interesting custom.

Outside the theater are really cute places.
An old church.
Inside the church.
The square outside of the theater.
Many beautiful buildings here.

The Provincial Palace is another historic building constructed during the rubber boom. The architecture is beautiful and served as the seat of the government of the state of Amazonas. There are displays of art in the downstairs.

The provincial palace.
Statue of the three muses.
Guarana is tasty and is an energy drink here. By afternoon I needed the caffeine.

In the centro historico is a bar on the Street of my hotel. It was called Gringo’s bar and they played 80’s music which is my jam. People were very friendly and I stopped to talk in Spanish. Summer people speak both Spanish and Portuguese. I had a beer and a sandwich while I waited for the rainstorm to pass.

Banana sandwich.
A local bloque party which was pretty chill though it was early in the night yet by party standards.