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Some five or six hours away from Santarem by boat, through a maze of islands and lakes on the north bank of the Amazon, is ALENQUER , a typical small Amazon river town rarely visited by tourists. The town is interesting enough, but wouldn't on its own detain you for more than a day. The streets are pleasant, the waterfront occasionally bustles and has a good view of the river, and there are a couple of atmospheric public buildings from the days of the rubber boom. However, the surrounding countryside is strikingly beautiful with lakes, an abundance of wildlife and the gorgeous waterfall of Veu da Noiva , all accessible by either road or boat. Renting a boat for the day costs about the same as hiring a taxi for a day - around $30 - and, although the birdlife in the lakes surrounding Alenquer is not as rich as around Monte Alegre, the creeks and islands you can explore are if anything more scenic. The lakes are actually quite heavily populated, by Amazonian standards, and your boatman is almost certain to take the chance to stop off and visit a relative somewhere on the way, giving you the chance to glimpse some rural life. Botos (river dolphins) are common and, with luck, you might even see a group of them leaping out of the water together. Unfortunately, piranhas are also common, so be careful about swimming. You will need to take food and water for you and the boatman.
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