Manaus - 'Mother of the Gods' - the most populous city in the state of Amazonas with over two million people. The rubber barons of the 19th century ensured this jungle city became the 'Paris of the Tropics' with their decadent edifices and opulent lifestyles. Imports from Europe were essential and, as rubber was sent down the river, in exchange came marble, glass and crystal. It was so prosperous in the early 1900s that Manaus had electricity before many European cities. Eventually, the monopoly on rubber production was lost and this steamy city began to decline. However, the government declared it a Free Economic Zone in 1957 which has led to Manaus becoming the fastest growing city in Brazil today. An economic and industrial powerhouse, bang in the middle of the rainforest. It has a good feeling to it. Crowded, hectic, vibrant - it mixes its modern status with a rich colonial history, perhaps best exemplified in the Teatro Amazonas.
After docking I headed into town to find a cheap hotel, far more difficult in Brazil than Peru. The rather exaggerated Hotel Magnifico provided a space to get my head down for the next two nights. Dirty clothes in tow, I searched the streets for a lavanadería in an attempt to not smell like a pig farmer for a change. In the laundrette I encountered the two Slovenian girls, Maja and Allia, who had been on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Small world. We agreed to meet later that evening for beers and a charwama kebab which was incredibly tasty. Brazilian beef being second only to Argentina's in reputation.
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