Getting to the Amazon is no easy task. Buses, trains, cars, airplanes, and taxis were all used to get the expdition team to Manaus. Jay traveled the furthest, from Bakersfield, CA. Eric, Anne, and Amy rode a train for 20 hours from Chicago to New York City. In New York City, they met up with Dave. Then they took an airplane for 10 hours to Sao Paulo, Brazil. After that they took another plane to Manaus. Then they boarded a bus, and finally after 4 full days of traveling, arrived at their small hotel.

Even though Tony lives in Brazil, it took him five days to reach Manaus. Tony drove his car for four days from Sao Paulo to Belem, the city at the mouth, or end, of the Amazon River. Then Tony boarded a plane from Belem to Manaus.

All of this traveling required lots of fuel to be used. Exhaust from vehcicle motors emit greenhouse gases, which most scientists agree are the major cause of global warming. Even though the expedition team will be paddling canoes for the next two months and not using any fuel or gasoline, getting to and from South America requires us to use more fuel than we would if we stayed home.

Traveling in the Amazon is quite different than traveling in the United States. Since there is so much water in the Amazon River and surrounding rainforest, people have adapted to travel in boats and canoes, instead of trucks, cars, and buses.

Think of the Amazon River as a massive highway of water. Towns, villages, and cities are all connected by a vast series of waterways. Smaller rivers, or tributaries, that connect to the Amazon River serve as smaller roads.

Different types of boats are used depending on the transportation needs. Large boats are used to travel longer distances, like from Manaus to Belem (over 1,000 miles). This boat trip would take 7 days. People traveling in this way sleep and eat right on the boat. Usually people sleep in hammocks.

Large tow boats and barges are used to transport huge amounts of cargo. Barges can carry as many goods as a train. Barges can be loaded with containers like you would see on a train or on the back of a semi-truck.

Smaller boats are used to travel smaller distances. Some boats are designed to carry people, while other boats are designed for specific work, like fishing.

There is never a shortage of boats found along the Amazon. We're seeing fewer and fewer canoes, because the river is getting so massive. Most people prefer to travel by motorized boat, because it's faster and easier. However, our team agrees that a canoe is the best way to see the Amazon River and rainforest.

Week 2 Links:

Ethanol In Brazil - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil