Margaret Mee's Centennial Amazon Trip 2009

MARGARET MEE´S CENTENNIAL AMAZON TRIP May 18th to 24th, 2009

On May 22, 2009 Margaret Mee would have been 100 years old. In 1988, on her 15th and last trip to the Amazon, Margaret commemorated her 79th birthday on the shores of the Rio Negro at Gilberto Castro´s house. He remembers well that on the occasion Sue Loram, a great friend of Margaret´s who accompanied her on this trip, made a delicious Cupuaçu cake that was greatly appreciated by all those present. In that location we now have a beautiful bronze plaque placed on marble in her memory. In this centennial year we plan to pay her our respects on that same spot. This 17th trip will be from May 18th (a Monday) to May 24th (the following Sunday), so we will be there on the 22nd for our toast to her memory. Since 2006 we have upgraded our accommodations to Gilberto’s new boat. We still enjoy the advantages of a small group (maximum of 18 passengers), but with a whole new level of comfort. The “OTTER” is 88 feet long and 24.6 feet wide, has four decks, 8 double cabins with large twin beds, one cabin with a double bed, individual air conditioning units in each cabin, all with private bathrooms with hot water showers. On the first deck we have the command, five passenger cabins, crew quarters, kitchen and service areas. On the second deck we have four passenger cabins, a 350 square foot enclosed dining room, a small open veranda, and service areas. On the third deck we have two covered verandas, one in the front and one in the back, one sun deck area with a Jacuzzi tub and showers, a bar, a toilet and a nice enclosed 250 square foot living room. The fourth deck is a 360° panoramic sun deck. It is the most comfortable boat for its size in the Amazon. All cabins have ample panoramic windows. During our trip we will take several canoe rides through the rivers and flooded forest areas, a few walks through the jungle and visit some natives in their huts and small villages. Flights: There are several flights from various companies, both from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, leaving in the morning, arriving in Manaus in the early afternoon between 1:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. Return flights should be bought for the planes leaving Manaus in the early afternoon after 1.00 P.M., as the boat returns around 11.30 A.M. on Sunday. There are also direct daily flights coming from Miami on TAM airlines (www.tam.com.br) and 5 days a week on COPA airlines (www.copaair.com), with a possibility of connections in Panama for those coming from the west coast or central U.S. The price is US$1,900.00 per person plus the airfare. Special offer: for one accompanying person: US$1,800.00. Passengers of previous trips pay the promotional price of US$1,800.00. The price will include transfers in Manaus to and from the airport, all meals aboard, mineral water, excursions in the canoe and walks in the forest. Not included in the cost are: alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, personal and baggage insurance, laundry, tips, airline tickets, hotel costs in Manaus, and entrance fees to the Manaus Opera House and museums. If you are coming from abroad a Valid Passport will be required as well as a Visa for certain countries (such as the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, etc.). If you are interested and would like further information about the trip, payment, etc., please contact:

Lorraine Kaminsky Martins [email protected]

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