Belém to Manaus - Day 5

Sunset on the Amazon

Today we were supposed to arrive in Manaus, but apparently we’re getting in tomorrow instead. It rained most of the day, dampening people’s spirits, so the main topic of conversation was how people are sick of the boat, the boat’s rules and the boat’s music.

The ship is run like we’re in the navy or something. We get called to meals by the sound of a whistle, only 12 people at a time mind you, and while the food is better than the other ship, because everyone is waiting for you to finish... actually all 12 of you to finish, before they get called to sit down, you have to wolf the food down and I’m sure I haven’t been chewing the correct number of times before swallowing. One guy was even told to take his hat off when he sat down to eat and I’m a little surprised I haven’t been reprimanded when I only use a fork to eat.

After dinner, I was chatting to an American girl, Camellia, when a cute 4 year old Brasilian girl came up and started playing with us. Apparently we were pretty good at it because she was still there 4 hours later, fueled by lollies and Fanta that her mum was feeding her. The night finished up, as usual, with card games.

I had a rough night’s sleep with a new person next to me, or more correctly below me, who took up heaps of room so I was literally squashed and, because I was squashing other people they were shoving me all night. Being the patient and understanding person that I am, I let it slide... for a while, then started pushing back and, I’ll admit, maliciously trying to squash the woman underneath me... even though at the time I thought it was an old woman. That’s right, you heard me, I tried to squash an old woman... and then I yelled at her in Portuguese. .. ... well it was like 4am! In the morning I realised she was about 30 anyway, so I think it’s all good.