Manaus is a smaller sprawling city with very little tall buildings. I love the old world charm. It is the city you come to when you head into the Amazon (that adventure is next).
after a famous market in Paris
It is a military port at this location.
I dipped my toes in the water. It was really warm but had not planned to swim there. I came to the beach for photos, people watching, and to find something to eat. Many of the restaurants near the hotel are closed on Sunday.
After walking along the beach, I went to a local 4 star hotel but they were closed for dinner until a little later in the evening. There was a particular fish I wanted to try. Instead I went to a food stall as one of the items in the menu was Tacacá. Tacacá is a traditional Brazilian soup from the Amazonas region. It’s made with a broth of jambu leaves (a local herb that causes a tingling sensation in the mouth), dried shrimp, yellow manioc flour, and sometimes tucupi (a broth made from manioc root). It also had shrimp (Camarones) in it. It’s a hot soup and is a favorite type of street food here. I was excited that this vendor took credit cards (many do even if you are only buying a soda). Because I arrived at 2:30 in the morning, I didn’t have a chance to exchange currency to pay in cash). The soup was a little gelatinous in some parts and tasted acidic. But now, I think that has more to do with the numbing effect of the jambu.
I also ordered “Petisco da Tio Socorro” which is a local dish. It’s common in Brazil for eateries to use the term “Tio” (uncle in Portuguese and Spanish) into their names, often followed by a person’s name or nickname. The word “petisco” means an appetizer or snack in Brazilian cuisine. Using these clues, “Petisco da Tio Socorro” is a type of appetizer or snack specific to that particular vendor. No matter, it is fried dough with a thick sauce that reminded me of Indian gravy with shrimp in them. It was very good too.
I walked for a bit afterwards towards the center of Manaus. I have been increasing activity with my ankle throughout the past two days.
I saw the Unba sushi bar on my walk. I was still a little hungry and glad I stopped. They had the fish I wanted to try and even better as it was in a ceviche. Ceviche is “cooked” with an acidic sauce and one of my favorite dishes. The fish is called Arapaima gigas, also known as pirarucu.
Pirarucu is a freshwater fish native to the Amazon Basin. It is one of the largest freshwater fish species in the world and can grow up to 3 meters (which is 10 feet!). It can weigh 180 kg (which is around 400 pounds!). It is similar to cod or halibut and was delicious served with a thick sweetened soy sauce.
From the balcony of the sushi bar I thought I would be able to see the sunset but there were too many clouds that afternoon. Beautiful nonetheless.
The hotel I stayed in is called the Casa perpetua d charm in the centro histórico. Tall ceilings, old architecture, very beautiful….
After some searching through channels, I did find that they were showing the Superbowl! Or is in Portuguese but I can see the scores and the half time show. What they don’t show is all the commercials! I’ll see them on playback on my cable box when I get home.
Excited for the next adventure….