Headed to the Amazon - anyone been there?

[Timothy W.]

Hey guys,
I just found out I'm taking a trip into the Amazon this November for a couple weeks. I think we're pretty much staying on the river. Don't know that we'll venture too much into the jungle where touching the wrong frog will kill you. I know this is a real estate forum but I know there are some world travelers here. Anyway, has anyone ever been there? Have any tips for travel there? I'm going to wait for the spring for all the vaccinations, but I'm starting all the other planning in the interim.

Tim

[Shanti S.]

Bring some good bug dope, the orange 100% deet Ben's stuff is good.

They have these little blackflies they call borrachudos (bow-ha-shoe-dose) that you can't even feel biting you so a bunch will get your legs before you know it. Then you immediately develop blood blisters at the bites and the itching is maddening and lasts for days. People who can't stop scratching may get infected.

I'm envious, can't wait to go back to Brazil and hope to invest there someday soon.

I was planning on bringing a new laptop next time I go and selling it when I get there - last time I was there electronics were selling for about triple what we pay here, so I could have paid for my trip by flippin' a laptop.

(edit) Oh! and make sure you try an atemoya - it's a little green bumpy fruit that you can't generally get here. Amazing, they tasted like custard. I thought mangoes were the tops until I got me some atemoyas :-)