How to find a boat to Manaus
Actually I thought it is pretty complicated to find a boat. But it isn’t. You go to the port in Tabatinga, where the ships to Manaus leave, and there you can buy a ticket for a ship. Ships leave at Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at noon and at midnight. A hammock place from Tabatinga to Manaus costs 220 Reais (57 CHF/50.77€). A cabin is 220 Reais plus 150 Reais daily. As it is easier than thought, here a short insight:
Border control
You need to go to the airport of Leticia to get the stamp to leave Colombia. Then you need to go to the Police station of Tabatinga to get the Brazilian stamp. Both have to be stamped within 24hs. (Note: the number of the Brazilian stamp has to be uneven.) Better you do this a day before you leave, it takes some time.
Embarking
When you arrive for embarkment you need to but your luggage in a row. Then you need to get a bracelet at the ticket counter and then you need to file up in the queue for the police control. They will scan your passport and take a picture of you. After that embarkment starts in order of the luggage row. First comes first served…
Hammock hanging
Hang your hammock close to a pillar in the middle row. It can get fresh at night but it gets much fresher at the sides, because it’s windier. Try to avoid hanging it close to a light, for your sleep and less insects. If you have a place at the pillar you can lock your luggage with a bicycle lock to it. It’s not really necessary, but gives you peace of mind. Only sellers and visitors at ports might become a problem stealing something. By the way, there is not that much music as described in the lplanet (none). And there are showers.
Food
A short food “diary” of the galley. It’s advisable to bring some food, especially fruits, dried fruits, nuts and other snacks. As you can see almost non of meals were vegan, so bring also some emergency food.
I packed 4 apples, 4 plums, 3 granadillas, peanuts, raisins, chips, plantain chips, peanut butter and the rest of my almonds.
But I also thought that the beans where vegan, until I found some meat in it. On such days the advantage of intermittent fasting while traveling, shows up…
Day 1 (departure day):
No lunch
Drink of corn and milk
Dinner: soup not vegan, not vegetarian
Day 2:
Breakfast: bread (not vegan) and yuca, coffee.
Lunch: rice, pasta (with eggs), beans (with some meat), chicken, potato purée, farinha (contains butter), guayaba paste.
Dinner: rice, pasta (with eggs), beans (with some meat), fish, farinha (contains butter).
Day 3:
Breakfast: bread (not vegan), polenta, coffee.
Lunch: rice, pasta (with eggs), beans (with some meat), chicken, mixed salad, farinha (contains butter).
Dinner: rice, pasta (with eggs), beans (with some meat), minced meat, farinha (contains butter).
Day 4 (arrival day):
Breakfast: bread (not vegan) and coffee
Lunch: rice, pasta (with eggs), beans (with some meat), chicken, farinha (contains butter).
