Belem is the capital of Para, an Equatorial Brazilian State, with a population of almost two million in its metropolitan area. I have been there on a trip from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where I joined a ship bound to Belem for teak and mahogany, bought by a French contractor. Numerous strikes made us stay for almost three months. I liked it even if I know that the guy who chartered our ship wasn't that happy. One rents the ship with a daily fare which varies according to its capacity. Ours was … [Read more...]