“There is a village far away
That Village is our village,
Whether we don't go, nor come back,
That Village is our village!”
Boca Da Valeria, Amazonas, Brazil
Mouth of Valeria (Boca Da Valeria) is the meeting point of Amazon and Rio Da Valeria rivers which were well visible from the deck of our ship. On the recent years,The native village became quite essential stop for cruise ships. Most of the residential buildings and buildings are like a open museum. I was very excited to share some time with the locals when I was looking to the shore and taking a few photos of rising sun while we were approaching to the point that we anchored. It was a beautiful morning with the early rays of sun leaking through clouds gloving on the river.
Remembering what we briefly learned about this village on the previous night, I impatiently zoomed my camera in to the shore. The village seems built on the coast of dense Amazonian rain forest. I spotted also many fishing boats on the shore. First building I saw was the tower of village church and the blue structure sitting on the pillars (possibly the protection of flood when the water rises). Later we saw all their residential modest houses were constructed on the pillars.
Remembering what we briefly learned about this village on the previous night, I impatiently zoomed my camera in to the shore. The village seems built on the coast of dense Amazonian rain forest. I spotted also many fishing boats on the shore. First building I saw was the tower of village church and the blue structure sitting on the pillars (possibly the protection of flood when the water rises). Later we saw all their residential modest houses were constructed on the pillars.
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When it was our turn to be transferred to the shore by tenders (small lifesaving boats), our impatience increased to meet (this seems like heaven from afar) village’s residents.
Getting closer to the shore and our vision become clear we realized that there was an unusual rush in the village. Kids were running back and forth carrying somethings (later we saw they were small animals), wearing some authentic clothing, like they are preparing to a big show.
Finally, while getting off the tenders, we couldn’t hide our amazement as we were seeing kids (age between b 4-12) making double line both side of mini wooden pier of the village. They were greeting us with the most innocent glances in the world. They were holding turtles, tiny iguanas, love birds, baby sloths, butterflies, with a shy but inviting eyes.
As soon we started walking into the village, they all spread out and took their places that seemed like they were told in advance. Most of them were standing by their houses accompanied their mother, showing off their pets or dancing in their authentic outfits. Some teenager girls were carrying a heavier authentic very colorful and ritualistic outfits.
I was almost mesmerized with their smiles, beauty and welcoming us with an open heart. Many little boys approached us to hold our hands and kept walking with us throughout the village, which consisted only one main road basically a natural land.
Apparently, there was no infrastructure at the village, all houses were built on the stilts. The reason is the rising water therefore village is under flood danger periodically throughout the year. Every house had an open chicken coop under the houses.
While walking around the village these beautiful kids never left us alone besides, they also were amused with our visit. Their main reason was to make money with their performances, either with their dances, outfits, by letting us enjoy with their pet animals or taking pictures with them. Hence, we handed a dollar bill almost each and every one of them.
We visited church, elementary school. I saw some cruisers brought some school supplies, crayons, books, coloring books etc. for the kids. Apparently, these cruisers have been here previously and they knew what this school needs. If I could go again this wonderful village, I would take some school supplies with me for sure, therefore I encourage everybody whose itinerary includes Boca da Valeria take some supplies for these beautiful kids.
Curiosity was mutual between the residents and us during our visit, too bad there was no mutual language between us and we had to understand them and their values from their well-mannered behaviors, calmness and their wondering eyes.
We walked through to the end of the Rio da Valeria River bank and back, accompanied an army of little kids. One can only take at least 500 photos in a such a short walk and we did even more, during our most pleasant and heavenly walk.
The story behind this unique and isolated village is really remarkable. Boca Da Valeria is a tiny village on one of the branches of Amazon River.
Village is located where the Valeria River and Amazon River meet and one can feel a real Brazil (warm, loving, free spirited, and sweat) in this Village. Village population is actually not more than 100 people, but increases visibly when cruise ships visit the village. This charming village has no touristic facility but became one of the highlights for Amazon pass of cruise ships. It is basically a remote village in the middle of the jungle which connected to the other remote villages by the small river boats. The residents are the combinations of Indigenous and Portuguese ancestors. The village represent how the life is in other villages along the river.
There is a fun fact about this we were told is, years ago a cruise ship has been broke down near the by village. During the repair, ship transferred some cruisers to the shore to kill some time. The first reactions of the native villagers were rather funny but they didn’t know any better, they ran away into the jungle and hid, because they thought they were invaded.
This incident repeated many more times, until the locals got used for cruisers vising the village, and decided to turn around the visits into their benefits. Ever since, they stopped all their daily routines when cruise ship arrives, and get ready to greet their visitors with their best themselves.
Besides the lined-up kids, there were many fishing boats on the bank of the river. These boats give short rides to the visitors into the narrower channels of Valeria River for a small fee where you may experience unique fauna along the river. If you wonder around and watch and get lucky you may spot the bottle nose pink dolphins playing in the water, they are very fast in and out of the water, hence you need to be focus on the surface of the water for a while.
Visiting this village on Amazon River was a great opportunity to meet this wonderful people, and experience their true culture.
Despite the fact there is a common meaning of being a Brazilian in different destinations, I can say these isolated Amazonas Villagers have their own authentic culture and life styles.
Yet, it was not my surprise in this century, seeing wi-fi tower at the hidden corner of the river bank and the smart phones sticking out of mother's pockets. I was happy in a way that these people are aware of the world even in the remote corner of the Amazone River.
While the sun rays pulling out of the village and disappear behind the rain forest, we unwillingly left the village and returned the ship.
I was remembering a song from my childhood.
“There is a village far away
That Village is our village,
Whether we don’t go nor come back,
That village is our village!"
March 3 2023
Getting closer to the shore and our vision become clear we realized that there was an unusual rush in the village. Kids were running back and forth carrying somethings (later we saw they were small animals), wearing some authentic clothing, like they are preparing to a big show.
Finally, while getting off the tenders, we couldn’t hide our amazement as we were seeing kids (age between b 4-12) making double line both side of mini wooden pier of the village. They were greeting us with the most innocent glances in the world. They were holding turtles, tiny iguanas, love birds, baby sloths, butterflies, with a shy but inviting eyes.
As soon we started walking into the village, they all spread out and took their places that seemed like they were told in advance. Most of them were standing by their houses accompanied their mother, showing off their pets or dancing in their authentic outfits. Some teenager girls were carrying a heavier authentic very colorful and ritualistic outfits.
I was almost mesmerized with their smiles, beauty and welcoming us with an open heart. Many little boys approached us to hold our hands and kept walking with us throughout the village, which consisted only one main road basically a natural land.
Apparently, there was no infrastructure at the village, all houses were built on the stilts. The reason is the rising water therefore village is under flood danger periodically throughout the year. Every house had an open chicken coop under the houses.
While walking around the village these beautiful kids never left us alone besides, they also were amused with our visit. Their main reason was to make money with their performances, either with their dances, outfits, by letting us enjoy with their pet animals or taking pictures with them. Hence, we handed a dollar bill almost each and every one of them.
We visited church, elementary school. I saw some cruisers brought some school supplies, crayons, books, coloring books etc. for the kids. Apparently, these cruisers have been here previously and they knew what this school needs. If I could go again this wonderful village, I would take some school supplies with me for sure, therefore I encourage everybody whose itinerary includes Boca da Valeria take some supplies for these beautiful kids.
Curiosity was mutual between the residents and us during our visit, too bad there was no mutual language between us and we had to understand them and their values from their well-mannered behaviors, calmness and their wondering eyes.
We walked through to the end of the Rio da Valeria River bank and back, accompanied an army of little kids. One can only take at least 500 photos in a such a short walk and we did even more, during our most pleasant and heavenly walk.
The story behind this unique and isolated village is really remarkable. Boca Da Valeria is a tiny village on one of the branches of Amazon River.
Village is located where the Valeria River and Amazon River meet and one can feel a real Brazil (warm, loving, free spirited, and sweat) in this Village. Village population is actually not more than 100 people, but increases visibly when cruise ships visit the village. This charming village has no touristic facility but became one of the highlights for Amazon pass of cruise ships. It is basically a remote village in the middle of the jungle which connected to the other remote villages by the small river boats. The residents are the combinations of Indigenous and Portuguese ancestors. The village represent how the life is in other villages along the river.
There is a fun fact about this we were told is, years ago a cruise ship has been broke down near the by village. During the repair, ship transferred some cruisers to the shore to kill some time. The first reactions of the native villagers were rather funny but they didn’t know any better, they ran away into the jungle and hid, because they thought they were invaded.
This incident repeated many more times, until the locals got used for cruisers vising the village, and decided to turn around the visits into their benefits. Ever since, they stopped all their daily routines when cruise ship arrives, and get ready to greet their visitors with their best themselves.
Besides the lined-up kids, there were many fishing boats on the bank of the river. These boats give short rides to the visitors into the narrower channels of Valeria River for a small fee where you may experience unique fauna along the river. If you wonder around and watch and get lucky you may spot the bottle nose pink dolphins playing in the water, they are very fast in and out of the water, hence you need to be focus on the surface of the water for a while.
Visiting this village on Amazon River was a great opportunity to meet this wonderful people, and experience their true culture.
Despite the fact there is a common meaning of being a Brazilian in different destinations, I can say these isolated Amazonas Villagers have their own authentic culture and life styles.
Yet, it was not my surprise in this century, seeing wi-fi tower at the hidden corner of the river bank and the smart phones sticking out of mother's pockets. I was happy in a way that these people are aware of the world even in the remote corner of the Amazone River.
While the sun rays pulling out of the village and disappear behind the rain forest, we unwillingly left the village and returned the ship.
I was remembering a song from my childhood.
“There is a village far away
That Village is our village,
Whether we don’t go nor come back,
That village is our village!"
March 3 2023
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“Lovely, innocent souls of Boca Da Valeria kids left my mind serene forever!”
