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Show 0Wo,s Most Spectacular S'ShtsJ TRIP OF A LIFETIME: EXPLORING THE AMAZON , , ......... - m-iitim- iiiriMiiiniiMittiiTnr-r"-',i'"- J You can see the many sights of the gateway city of Belem by luxury cruise or canoe. i ' . " - , -h i.hiy rfiM The word vacation can take on a whole new meaning when you venture to a far-off place you may have only read about: The Amazon Region in Brazil. Few places in the world conjure up greater images of beauty. Few destinations offer such diverse experiences. experi-ences. Many choose to travel the Amazon region in canoes, living in huts along the way. Others opt to see the sights from luxury cruises on the Amazon River, staying and dining in luxury hotels in the gateway cities of Manaus and Belem. Still other travelers traverse the heart of the Amazon Ama-zon where a number of the smaller luxury hotels are run by Europeans with a continental conti-nental flair. Your trip can begin spectacularly spec-tacularly along the river be-' be-' tween Manaus and Belem. These cities began to flourish at the turn of the century, when the rubber boom bankrolled bank-rolled the building of grand structures, such as the Ama-zonaa Ama-zonaa Theater in Manaus a 19th century domed building ' that stands out against the skyline. , In Manaus visitors can view the dynamic contrast between be-tween old and new, exhibited by changing architectural styles. Eat foods characteristic characteris-tic of the region, including pungent tucunare fish freshly caught on a fishing expedition. expedi-tion. Shop the bustling dutyfree duty-free shopping area for one-of-a-kind bargains find arts and crafts made by the Indians of the Amazon Forest. Thrill to the adventure of a late-night alligator hunt. Manaus is also a major launching point for riverboat excursions into the Amazon Forest. It includes sights found nowhere else in the world: Stay in huts along the - Amazon River or five-star luxury hotels. You can experience sights and sounds unique to this part of the world brightly-plumed birds, fascinating fas-cinating jungle animals, and lush vegetation. A jungle so dense sunlight sun-light never reaches much of the jungle floor. The powerful Amazon . River, whose waters make up one-fifth of the world's fresh water reserve. The colors and sounds of 1,800 species of brightly plumed birds, and fascinating jungle animals monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles and sloths. The seven-foot round leaves of the Victoria Regia lily. Glittering white beaches grace the shores of offshoots of the Amazon. Belem, located near the mouth of the river, is a modern mod-ern industrialized port. Vendors Ven-dors bring local products by boat and canoe from which tourists can pick and choose at the scenic Ver-o-Peso mar-. ket. You can, imagine these sights and sounds but they can only be experienced firsthand. first-hand. Free leaflets about the Amazon Region of Brazil are available from a travel agent or by writing to: Embratur, 551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 421, New York, JY 10176. |