AN EFFECTIVE INTERNET SIGNAL AMIDST THE AMAZON RAINFOREST JUNGLE?

Balloons equipped with radio transceivers could soon be bringing the internet to remote parts of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil

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The airborne devices are said to provide the same connection speed as the 3G network from almost 800ft in the air.

The balloons, which aim to connect regions cut off by traditional technology, have been developed by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research as part of the government’s National Broadband Plan.

Government ministers have also reportedly been in discussions with Google, which is also piloting its internet-powered balloon initiative, called “Loon”, in New Zealand.

Paulo Bernardo, Brazil’s communications minister, said: “It will be critical to isolated towns in the Amazon region , which are not yet served by operators.”

Around 250,000 homes – some 950,000 people - are connected to the internet in Amazonas, a state that is home to 3.5 million people, according to the 2010 census.

Earlier this month, the communications ministry, along with the ministry for science, technology and innovation, launched a test balloon in Cachoeira Paulista in São Paulo.

Once in the air, attached to a vehicle, it connected via radio to a fixed point in the city and allowed two video conferences across Skype to take place.

The balloon can carry a connection for a distance of up to 30 miles (50km).

Marco Antonio Raupp, science, technology and innovation minister, added: “I hope the project continues advancing so that the most remote regions, such as the Amazon, have an effective internet signal.”

The project is similar to Google’s pilot initiative, which began in June. In the trial, 30 balloons were launched in New Zealand where 50 residents were responsible for them as “balloon pilots”, offering connections with 3G speed.

The Project Loon balloons are 50ft (15m) by 40ft (12m) and are designed to travel 12 miles (20km) above the Earth’s stratosphere, moving with the wind to provide internet coverage.

“It sounds a bit like science fiction, but we are sure the project will become a reality,” Sameera Ponda, Google engineer, said.

“Bringing internet to all with balloons is easier and cheaper than doing it through satellites.”

Representatives from the web giant met with Brazilian officials to discuss a partnership last month, according to Folha de São Paulo.

“This project would certainly contribute in a significant way to increasing internet access in an area that is difficult to reach with traditional technology,” Mr Bernardo said.

SOURCES: The Telegraph

                     GLOBO.COM

AND AMID THE JUNGLE - A WONDROUS OPERA THEATER!

Teatro Amazonas or Amazon Theater  is an opera house located in Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. It was built during the Belle Époque at a time when fortunes were made in the rubber boom using materials from all over the world, with furniture from Paris, marble from Italy, and steel from England. The theatre's 198 chandeliers were imported from Italy, including 32 of Murano glass. On the outside of the building, the dome was covered with 36,000 decorated ceramic tiles painted in the colors of the Brazilian national flag.

The theater was inaugurated on December 31, 1896, with the first performance occurring on January 7, 1897, with the Italian opera, La Gioconda, by Amilcare Ponchielli. The opera house was closed down soon after however as the rubber trade declined and Manaus lost its main source of income. There wasn’t a single performance in Teatro Amazonas for 90 years until 2001 when it reopened its doors.

http://www.amazonasfestivalopera.com/index.php

http://www.culturamazonas.am.gov.br/

EL DORADO IS HERE!

The most fascinating, easily accessible destination along the Rio Negro (Black River)  in the state of Amazonas is the Arquipélago de Anavilhanas. The second-largest freshwater archipelago in the world, it boasts over 400 islands.

 During the dry season, many of them are fringed with beautiful white sands beaches. If you don’t mind sharing with flocks of wild birds, you’ll have them completely to yourself. Should you want to go swimming, you’ll very likely share the warm waters with schools of friendly pink dolphins.

Getting to Arquipélago de Anavilhanas

Getting here on your own is fairly easy. A boat ride to the town of Novo Airão (located in the middle of the archipelago) is about a day’s journey (eight hours) from Manaus. You can also take a bus (six hours) from the rodoviária.  The ride takes about one hour by the meandering margins of the islands and it costs approx. R$20/person.


During the flood season, from March to July, one may navigate within the igapós, or flooded woods.

Where to stay and rates: http://www.anavilhanaslodge.com/home/


http://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Hotel_Review-g2140982-d646356-Reviews-Anavilhanas_Jungle_Lodge-Novo_Airao_State_of_Amazonas.html

http://www.taririamazonlodge.com.br/ 

Some nice extra info:

http://www.katerre.com/portal/