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There
is nothing so beautiful, and yet so perilous as the Amazon rainforest - or, so
those that have laid eyes upon it say. The first men to explore its verdant
expanse, well over five hundred years ago, spoke of great wonders mixed with
even greater danger, the like of which the world has never truly equaled.
Though a boat, plane or helicopter will take you in, it’s a man’s wits,
endurance, and above all tenacity that will see him out in one piece.
There
is nothing quite like the diverse environment of the rainforest. It’s a
fantastic collage of heat, sound and life – from the leafy branches bursting
out knotted boughs to the thick, crunchy shrub that covers the ground.
Tropical birds, lizards and all manner of other beings hop from tree to tree,
their vibrant colours a stark contrast to the backdrop of green that permeates
through every part of the forest. Insects scuttle about, oblivious to the
world above them.
It
is said that strange, alien sounds can be always heard from within:
chirruping, howling, roaring and screeching from an assortment of over one
million different species of animal. They go on all throughout the day, a
constant crescendo of noise – until finally the sun sets, and darkness falls
upon the brush. Then they cease, letting an eerie quiet fall upon the forest.
For
even as the birds roost, and the fireflies dance, the Amazon is fraught with
jeopardy.
The
main danger of the rainforest is always the beings that lurk within. Mankind,
for all its airs and graces, lies firmly at the bottom of the food chain once
it steps into unmarked territory. Like it or not, we become prey…
…and
there are many, many predators in the Amazon – the least of which posing a
dire threat to the unsuspecting explorer. The jaguar will watch silently from
the bushes, ready to pounce and tear into you with its long, jagged fangs. The
anaconda snake will slide through the long grass, waiting for the chance to
slide out and swallow you whole…and alive. The water offers no safety
either, filled as it is with snapping piranhas, crocodiles and other
flesh-eating fiends.
Even
the climate is deadly. The slightest nick, or cut can turn septic in just
minutes – a result of the moisture that hangs in the air. It’s a constant
humidity, seeping through clothing and clinging to the skin uncomfortably.
During the daytime, the temperatures in the Amazon reach well over 93F,
which is enough to make anyone sweat. Food spoils quickly there, and blades
rust at an alarming rate.
One
would have to ask at this point: why travel there at all, if it’s such an
inhospitable environment? Well, the answer is simple. Mankind will always
venture into the unknown, whether it’s for profit, knowledge, or simply for
a sense of discovery, and challenge. The Amazon, hazardous and doubtlessly
threatening as it is, represents just that.
For who knows what undiscovered treasures lurk, amidst the trees?
bravenet.com