Setting sail on the Amazon

matt muyres — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:32:24 GMT

Eco-terrorism should be careful here. There has more destruction happen from the Survivor shows, by hundreds of people building sets and then leaving them a few months later. (Borneo, Amazon...)

Setting sail on the Amazon

Ernest Ignatius. Peterborough UK. — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 08:42:27 GMT

I am extremly uneasy about these extravagant, self-indulgent events and ventures organised by the super rich, in the name of helping poor countries. Tourism, million dollar champagne and lobster parties, adopting children (by the dozen)of different nationalities. All this in the name of aid??Its not differcult to be cynical about these dishonest attempts at helping the poor of the world. Nearly everything we eat, drink, wear and use to generate our wealth, involves exploiting the poor. It would be unfair of me to critisize and not offer what might be a solution. Why cant we use just Half of the wealth of the west to set up a system that would assure EVERY HUMAN BEING that is born, Shelter,and Food for the rest of their life. This would at least go some way towards confronting the mystery of our existence. We can do it. I think that, the present species of HUMANS is capable of such a major step in our journey of LIFE on this planet. Strangely enough it would go towards Environmentaly saving our planet.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Donna, Greeley Colorado — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:53:56 GMT

The photo of Sunset on Rio Nigro is beautiful...fitting for the story......Thanks

Setting sail on the Amazon

Mikhail De Long, Knoxville, TN — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:16:46 GMT

I spent a month in the Peruvian Amazon on an expedition to the Galvez River region bordering Brazil in the summer of 2003. It is a very remote area and we had to hunt for all of our food, hike and raft for kilometers a day in very humid conditions. I was fortunate enough to spend a few days with the Matses Indians and stay in several of their villages. The people were very friendly although somewhat suspicious of our presence. I have very fond memories of my trip as arduous as it was. I have since married and would like to take my wife to Amazonia but there is no way she would ever rough it on a survival trip to "La Selva". With that being said a cruise would present a nice alternative to the type of trip that I embarked on. It will be interesting to see how tourism affects remote peoples. I would have been very dissapointed if I had encountered a shopping mall along the Rio Galvez.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Skip Middleton — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:19:56 GMT

I look forward to seeing if there is such a thing as responsible eco-tourism. I doubt it will protect the rain forest, but certainly it should protect the ecosystem that is the Amazon and her tributaries, and the forest bordring the river. As to the tribes of the Amazon, this will be the beginning of their end, but it could be a useful bridge for them entering society.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Josue Lima, Sao Paulo ,Brazil — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:37:27 GMT

I hope the eco-tourism don't bring more destruction to the forest afterwords.Years after years more American, French, Britsh,Spanish, Dutch companies get caught performing illegal activities

Setting sail on the Amazon

Linwood Beasley — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:37:37 GMT

I would love to take this trip. It sounds very exciting.

Setting sail on the Amazon

K H, Chicago, IL — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:45:18 GMT

Setting Sail? There aren't any sails on THAT boat. Its a great idea to enable people to visit these areas in person who would not be able to do so of their own accord, physically or emotionally. But to call this ecotourism is not accurate. The propellers on the boat, the possible seepage of fuel/waste the noise, the inflow of cash to the very poor area will cause massive changes. It could not be called walking softly and leaving no footprint. Call it a tour, but don't call it ecotourism.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Roland Billings,Silver City, New Mexico — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:49:27 GMT

whare can I get more info or contact with the cruse line and Menaus area turisem Have spent near 30 years n Latin America and waited the day the Amazon could be experianced

Setting sail on the Amazon

linda — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:32:45 GMT

this is a pleasant story for a change and i for one do be done in a safe and healthy way to help these people to keep helping themsellves.i,myself have seen this great forrest robbed of its rubber and of its people taken advantage of. there is certainly aneed for control.and as your guide says. many of the show etc.have done a fifty%of helping. it will be a devastion for these people to be taken advantage of and i pray that their bueatiful county can say this way. 4oo yrs ago a small colony on american land and the begining of theend for the american indian changed in less time than it should have. please help make sure htese native people are not lied to and taken advantage for my race is a dying breed and are very well on distion of being compley having lost what the spirt says we should be pure puting spirt county and family first;let this be a teaching tool for those who are so bias. our race is the least of a dying breed and have become very rare to see how we have given up hope only because we helped and then taken advantage of.many ofmy peaople are not even counted as pure any more by the CIBtribes try to make it however we are loing to many to drinking and poverty. america will never admit to how it wronged these great people and i for one would love to see all of the tribes left be alble to go to what our great great grand fathers and mothers time so that the misdeed could be redone over and history not refelt what our grand parants tell us but live the way with peace and harmony with the white race and the red race that was so taken advantage of. when a red man or woman gives their word that is their bond;however in this day and age that is the tragic loos besides the others things that are handicaping my people, while graowing up we children were not allowed to tell any one that we were indian because of the way that we were preivedby the american public. movies such as dances with wolves comes close but more movies og this nature need to tell the story of how we strugle each day ,with one 20%having any knoweldge of our ancestors, many tribe are still not inculded in the nation as member of the center of civilized tribes. thank you for this moving and touch story from the very people the so called richest people consider benifiting on charties.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Dilton Desena, Tampa, Florida — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:37:21 GMT

I am Brasilian from recife, I work in the amazon for many years. It is the most beautiful place in earth. The animal life there is the most pretty I have seen. There is no reason to americans to worry about travel, the people are great, stop worry and travel. I do not understand why american today worry about everything. I do not think that because the indias are poor they are ingnorant, they can still do a responsible eco-tourism and protect the ecosystem of there contry. The Brazilians do not need americans to teach them how to take care of their home. Please travel as friend not to criticise others countrys. Call me to go the amazon trips any time:813-8107040.

Setting sail on the Amazon

linda — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:39:00 GMT

this is a great peace of these struggling people.you amy cencus it in any mway for i know ans do many others that the american indian were taken advantage of and are only now in this gernation and admitting to or hertiga i don't want these people tken advantage as we are. their way of life should be respected there are onlu so few left and i pray that their governments will protect them better than we were.i don't intend for this to be negative i only want this beautful contry saved .

Setting sail on the Amazon

Mary A. Tagney, South Freeport, Maine — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:02:54 GMT

I am endeared by the notion of ecotourism and have traveled to rain forests in Australia and New Zealand. I too, feel sailing would be more environmentally safe and quiet. Why is it we keep these gas guzzling motors on yaghts going into undiscovered territories when we know the damage it can cause. People, wake up, walk softly and leave no trace! What part of this philosophy can you not embrace. Leave the Dom Perrignon, and the lobster and relish the local fare. This is how to enhance your own life while enhancing the lives of the locals.

Setting sail on the Amazon

JD Brewer Phoenix AZ — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:06:39 GMT

Like anywhere else in this country, give western civilizaton time enough in these beautiful areas and in no time at all we will have ruined the water, air and killed off all native species both plant and animal and put up some lovely boring concrete and metal shopping meccas!

Setting sail on the Amazon

S, WPB, FL — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:07:58 GMT

I agree. It doesn't sound much like eco-tourism to me. The whole idea sounds like a bad idea. I envision what was originally planned to get out of hand and take a turn for the worse and the next thing you know... something that was supposed to be innocent and a help to the economy is what is destroying it.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Ryan H, Chicago — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:09:34 GMT

I took a trip like this back in July of '06. We started in the Peruvian city of Iquitos and headed up stream. Our boat was about a 1/6th the size of the one pictured and only held about 25 people. It was definitely not a 4 star tour, but then again we were seldomly on the ship. The Amazon is so remote and definitely not a trip that everyone can take. You have to brave the intense heat, sudden downpours, swarms of mosquitos ants and other biting bugs. But for those who can, I definitely recommend the experience. We were the only visitors we encountered on the river which made it seem like the place was ours to explore. The wealth of wildlife and untouched areas are emense and we did our best to leave the smallest footprint possible, going as far as planting trees in certain areas. The sheer logistics and costs of this trip leave it off the list for many, so for those of you who do make it down there it will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. There are so many other trips to take in this world, but I would make an exception and go back if I ever get the chance.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Val, Leamington Spa, England — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:27:36 GMT

Sorry the cruise would do nothing for me - I sailed up the Amazon in a very small boat, slept in a hut on stilts and covered with banana leaves. Got down and dirty with the locals and the whole experience was mind blowing and awsome. If I can do it at 64 years old then anyone can

Setting sail on the Amazon

J R M, Columbus, Ohio — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:29:22 GMT

I think that the villagers can get something out of experiencing the different cultures that will visit the region. I’m sure that they would not mind the money that will come in to make their lives a little easier. I’m sure that they would love to be able to get food a little easier and wear clothes that will protect them a little better. We have a lot to learn by visiting these regions and they can learn a lot from us as well. This could be a great way to learn how to balance the conveniences that we have today without harming the environment.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Ryan, Seattle, Washington — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:00:08 GMT

I think America is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We have beautiful deserts, lakes, forests, mountains and rivers. This has been a challenge considering the incredible amount of production that takes place in America. But the great and caring American citizens would never let that happen. It’s good to know that we can provide jobs to 95% of the people so that we don’t have to hunt our own food and sleep in huts, but still take care of the environment and preserve our national parks and lakes.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Don Nicholson, Darlington, South Carolina — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:03:36 GMT

On two different occasions I have been 200 miles down the Amazon on a missionary boat. This is the most beautiful place on earth. Most of us live on the earth and not in it. Enjoy the trip but remember how fragile this system is.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Maria, Bozrah, Connecticut — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:43:08 GMT

This is the trip I have dreamed of all of my life. I am drawn to the mystique of the rain forest. I have explored the rain forest in Costa Rica a few years ago,which was wonderful,but this is the trip of a lifetime. Unfortunately,although the cost is not mentioned, I'm sure it would be prohibitive unless I should hit the lottery or find a rich husband. At age 77 that is probably not going to happen. Bon Voyage to those lucky enough to be able to go.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Aldo, San Antonio, Texas — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:06:01 GMT

I would ask only three things: 1) Please don't be so negative when it comes to ECOTOURISM. So far the only commercial value we have found in the world's forests are the trees and animals which we destroy at an amazing rate. 2) Please support efforts to make our world value its forests and other ecosystems because they produce tourism dollars as long as they are preserved. If you don't give people a way to make money, they will have to strip the land of anything they can sell. Please support their efforts to sell the beauty of the landscape instead of logs, minerals, and animal fur. 3) Please use the spell check software so we can read your post. We are all interested in your views, but we can't always figure out what you wrote

Setting sail on the Amazon

Cher, Talmage, CA — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:07:20 GMT

For our 30th anniversary my husband and I joined a church group for a building project in a very tiny town 180 Km up the Rio Negro from Manaus. We slept in hammocks on a covered deck of a much less luxurious river boat than the one pictured in this story. Our meals were simple, we swam in the river to cool off, used the community outhouse in town and were led on jungle tours or paddled along the river's edge with locals. The sunsets and sunrises were the most beautiful we have ever seen. The black smoothness and softness of the water, the reflection of a million stars on its calm night surface, the native flowers, fantastic and unusual birds, the sounds of the pink dolphins snooping around the boat at night and the site of them in the day - curious and playful but wary, crocs peaking at us from river's edge, croaking of gigantic frogs, howler monkeys in the distant jungle will forever be treasured memories. There are less expensive ways to see these extraordinary sights than an expensive luxury boat and if one can, one should go, being mindful that you are a guest there. It is so hard to reconcile the opportunity to visit wonderful places with the need to preserve them intact for others, but it can be done. If you desire a less expensive way to see Amazonia, my friend Sergio, a native of the region can help. Find him at www.flogao.com.br/MAMORI or sergiotour@hotmail.com for more info.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Jonathan Usha, Windermere, Florida — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 13:25:40 GMT

Her is one way how to change the world, Change its history. If you do not think this is alarming, you do not have the basic understanding who you are dealing with. If anyone wonders where the Islamic World wishes to take us all, here is an example. In this rate of appeasing, the Western World will collapse like the Soviet Union without one bullet being shot. Please read below. Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims By LAURA CLARK - More by this author » Last updated at 11:58am on 2nd April 2007 Comments (12) Schools are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid offending Muslim pupils, a Governmentbacked study has revealed. It found some teachers are reluctant to cover the atrocity for fear of upsetting students whose beliefs include Holocaust denial. More.... · Teachers fear backlash over crackdown in the classroom There is also resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades - where Christians fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem - because lessons often contradict what is taught in local mosques. The findings have prompted claims that some schools are using history 'as a vehicle for promoting political correctness'. The study, funded by the Department for Education and Skills, looked into 'emotive and controversial' history teaching in primary and secondary schools. It found some teachers are dropping courses covering the Holocaust at the earliest opportunity over fears Muslim pupils might express anti-Semitic and anti-Israel reactions in class. The researchers gave the example of a secondary school in an unnamed northern city, which dropped the Holocaust as a subject for GCSE coursework. The report said teachers feared confronting 'anti-Semitic sentiment and Holocaust denial among some Muslim pupils'. It added: "In another department, the Holocaust was taught despite anti-Semitic sentiment among some pupils. "But the same department deliberately avoided teaching the Crusades at Key Stage 3 (11- to 14-year-olds) because their balanced treatment of the topic would have challenged what was taught in some local mosques." A third school found itself 'strongly challenged by some Christian parents for their treatment of the Arab-Israeli conflict-and the history of the state of Israel that did not accord with the teachings of their denomination'. The report concluded: "In particular settings, teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship." But Chris McGovern, history education adviser to the former Tory government, said: "History is not a vehicle for promoting political correctness. Children must have access to knowledge of these controversial subjects, whether palatable or unpalatable." The researchers also warned that a lack of subject knowledge among teachers - particularly at primary level - was leading to history being taught in a 'shallow way leading to routine and superficial learning'. Lessons in difficult topics were too often 'bland, simplistic and unproblematic' and bored pupils.

Setting sail on the Amazon

Bob Trabosh — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:33:43 GMT

Jonathan Usha, Windermere, Florida,
Your off the Hook. How did we go from the Amazon to Muslim's. Your lost in space, sorry Pal. I wish I could give you some counseling (free for you if your in Pa.)

Setting sail on the Amazon

jim ruttan sarnia ontario canada — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:44:28 GMT

have travelled extensively in north america and elsewhere.I have not seen where we (north americans) have improved our ability to say we are the leaders in preserving our world we have done more to destroy it than anyone else