As part of our educational mission, Global Eco Journey encourages trip participants to tell their friends and communities about their experiences and the insights they gained while traveling with us. Here some articles, photo galleries and testimonials. Please keep in mind that the opinions of our past participants do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Eco Journey.

Ricky Ellis, Teacher / Canada (November 2007)

“Thank you for your leadership and guidance in the rainforest. I greatly appreciate your commitment to share your wisdom, and the opportunity to experience the magic and wonder. In these turbulent times, many of us dream of a life that is earth-honoring, simple, spirit based and lived in open hearted community.

It was an honor to experience this with you and your community of native people. There were many highlights of the trip: learning about the medicine plants at Taruma Sanctuary, listening to teaching stories and reflecting on them and my own life, traveling on the Rio Negro and marveling at the trees, the birds and the incredible richness of biodiversity. Breathing deeply of the super-oxygenated air and feeling it energizing me. The pink dolphins swimming up beside me and pushing me along in their healing ways, snoozing in a hammock at Taruma or on the river boat – relaxing deeply and feeling held by the whole of creation. And always, the river!

Now that I’m back home I strive to be earth honoring, live from my heart, and nurture the seeds that were planted in the rainforest. Chungo!”

Susi Haley . NJ (September 2006)

“..There is NO better “hands-on” classroom in the Amazon Rainforest!! Upon arriving to Taruma Sanctuary, I was greeted with love, support and the most beautiful people I have ever met. It was their love, all of them, the elders and children alike that gave me the will to accomplish my goals…during the journey I learned a lot beyond any expectation or imagination…”

Alena Serino, Student NJ (August 2006)

Every day I live in a world so cold, and full of distrust. In the rainforest I felt a sense of belonging and peace that I would have never if I had stayed home doing what “normal” kids do during the summer…”

Kristina Arysta, Vancouver Island, Canada (June 2006)

One Woman’s Journey to the Amazon Rainforest

“Living in the Amazon Rainforest for a couple of weeks is a life-altering experience. I wonder if it is called the Amazon because it is so amazing! When you return home, you will be changed forever, with a new way of viewing everything in your current life.

I had worried that I would not be able to communicate as I had minimal Brazilian Portuguese and no tribal languages. What I learned is that humankind has a universal language, love. Nowhere else in the world have I found people so open, affectionate, happy, and unconditionally loving. Words were superfluous when you felt genuinely loved by one and all. Every hello and goodbye was treated with ceremony and connection. Each individual was held and acknowledged equally to each other — everyone felt special. To be surrounded by such acceptance, all day, every day, curtailed the need for lots of talking and created an aura of continuous joy and peace.

I had worried about my ability to adapt to a life of fewer material comforts—sleeping in a hammock in a screened hut or under a banana-leaved roof, shared toilets and open air toilets, temperate water showers, backpacking your own gear, local foods, and on and on. What I experienced was a life of simplicity, sufficient comfort and an acceptance that life runs on a different clock. We lived a slower pace, one focused on doing the important things in the day, one free of agitation and pressure. There was no need for watches because we learned how to move as a tribe, becoming keenly aware of where everyone was at any given time. We shared limited resources with ease, patience and willingness. We knew that we could wait for our friend because they would wait for us.

Someone else would make sure that we were all where we had to be when we had to be. We felt free of yesterday because we just held intent to make today our best day. We felt free of tomorrow because we knew that we could control only this present moment. Life became simple, co-operative and peaceful.

I had worried about my ability to live outside in nature most of the day. What about sunscreen, mosquitoes, spiders, snakes, jaguars, yikes!!! Of course, sunscreen and mosquito repellant are needed. However, I can state without reservation that I have never felt so safe and protected anywhere in the world as I did with the organizers and local guides. Their knowledge of how to live in harmony with the flora and fauna of the rainforest was unchallengeable. They have lived or live there currently and carry the experiential wisdom of generations of expert bush people.

There are many profound writings about the critical importance of the Amazon Rainforest to the health and viability of the Earth. There are endless statistics that when studied will convince the most skeptical that there must be a concerted global effort made to protect the rich biodiversity and the integrity of the Amazon Rainforest.

Beyond the land, the plants and the wildlife, the indigenous peoples must be protected. Projects that aim to preserve their culture and way of life must be supported by enduring and reliable funding. Children need to be educated to carry forward the wisdoms of their ancestors and to integrate into the global landscape, so that ideas to enrich the future of their culture and land can be generated from within their own people.

I encourage people who are moved by my thoughts to commit to take their own journey to Brazil. There is a need for a critical mass of informed and committed people with shared values to experience the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest and bring the messages of protection, self-sustainability and respect back home. So that others can be moved to visit and take positive action. So that others can contribute funds to support projects

I can guarantee that anyone who takes this journey will return changed forever. In addition, this is great not only for Brazil, but for wherever you live; and, ultimately for the Earth.”

Jessica Bamford Reiki Practitioner, B.C., Canada (June 06)

To have ones eyes opened, to become aware, of the ancient knowledge that the native peoples of Brazil still carry and have to offer and teach us, was a profound life altering experience.

As a practitioner and patient of holistic, complimentary therapies from many parts of the world, I realized that the wisdom and teachings of the rainforest and its people are something that we cannot afford to loose.

Taruma Sanctuary and its founders acknowledge this fact and create opportunities to share this wisdom globally so that it can enhance and heal people’s lives. At Taruma Sanctuary the people of the Amazon region of Brazil pass on their gifts to us in a supportive and natural community environment. This is conducted in a way that maintains and honors the further growth, conservation and development of the ways of the people and the rainforest in which they live.

It was a great privilege to visit Taruma Sanctuary and be embraced by the wonderful healers and teachers of the Brazilian Rainforest!!

Fritz Dent Seattle, Washington (February 2005)

No one can describe to you the magnitude of the rivers, the forest and the sky in the Amazon basin. You must experience it for yourself. All the staff is an incredible resource and great friends to share and adventure with. Together, they possess knowledge of remarkable depth and are excellent guides and teachers. From a lifetime of work and travel among the villages of the Rio Negro, they have developed many extraordinary friendships. The beautiful people you meet along the river will open your heart and bring you healings. The sounds of the jungle drifting through your dreams will change you. Your trip up the Amazon and Rio Negro is a personal journey you make in the company of your fellow travelers. You will be transformed.
P.S. Don’t bring travelers checks!

Emmy & John New York (March 05)

We wanted to say thank you to everyone on the staff for making our trip to the rainforest pleasant. Everyone was so personable and helpful, the journey we arranged was very well run, and all accommodations were very comfortable; we love Taruma Sanctuary!! I got an incredible amount of knowledge that I have been able to apply. I cannot put into words the feeling in my soul I get while seeing my patients improve day-by-day with the treatments from the rainforest I implemented.

I had a lot of fun during the trip-program. Thank you for making this program; you have shown to us a path I did not know existed off the road I was traveling. My intentions are to continue down this new path. The trip program was the highlight for both of us, and please pass on a "thank you" to Chore, the medicine man, who was superb. Finally, I have to give a special thanks for your help in calling a doctor when I got sick at the end of our stay; it made a great difference to have that kind of help available. I have already recommended your educational program to friends and would gladly return in the future if my husband and I have the opportunity to plan that rainforest trip we'd like to do.

Virgine W. Herbalist, Vermont (March 05)

I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how much I enjoyed our trip to rainforest. It was even more than I expected. Your team did a great job in making sure that we were taken care of each step of the way, from meeting us at the airport, arranging our journey, and seeing us off. The entire trip program was excellent and the journey trough the Amazon and the Black River was incredible. The crewperson was wonderful; excellent natural food. Each day and night, we camped at a spot with incredible views and you were always willing to point out interesting things along the trail. I learned more about traditional medicine with native teachers and herbalists during the trip than I have in the last ten years of "dabbling." You make the lessons so easy to "absorb" and fun to learn!! You are good teachers!! Again, thanks for all your help and if I visit the rainforest again, I will surely contact you!!

Mary Ann Asencio Student, Vermont (April 05)

It is very difficult to describe how free and unencumbered a trip like this can allow one to feel. It certainly gave us a better perspective of the rainforest and the native people, and we are very glad that we got the opportunity to do it and to share the trip with you.

This was my first visit to Brazil-Amazon (rainforest) and I will forever remember my first impressions of the beautiful rainforest and its gracious people. I knew I would not be the same person upon my return to the USA. For all its natural beauty, it was the people of rainforest that left the biggest impression on my heart. The smiling faces, the simplicity of life, the friendly market vendors, the faith-filled medicine man (Chore) and the kind-hearted healers – they all touched my heart and taught me not only about sharing the love but the huge difference between simple physical poverty which affects so many people in the rainforest and poverty of spirit which affects so many here in the West.

I came away filled to the brim from all that I learned and all that the rainforest gave to me. I look forward to returning in the future with a group of young people.

Kathryn McCooeye Practitioner, B.C., Canada (September 05)

It's difficult to capture in English the profundity of my experiences in Brazil. Facilitators and native teachers are exceptional human beings. I have known them now for eight years and still I feel I have been unable to plumb the depths of their compassion toward the human condition. In facilitating educational groups to Brazil, they help to build intercultural bridges between the rainforest peoples and their Western relatives.

Theirs is truly a conspiracy of peace.

My feelings regarding my experiences in Brazil can only be described metaphorically and subjectively. I feel the shamans helped me to give birth to myself - an ancient, magnificent part of myself that had long ago been forgotten.

We, as human beings all hold these ancient cellular memories of a better time in history, when we all remembered how to honor our earth Mother and to adhere to and respect her sacred laws, helping to quicken and awaken the ancient children of Light that lay dormant within us.

Their compassion, humor and incredible tolerance for human and cultural differences help us to focus on the similarities between all peoples.

The trips to the Brazilian Rainforest are fun, educational, safe and actively conspire toward global peace between people of the different nations of Mother Earth. It has truly been an honor to be part of this wonderful journey.

Vicky Novak Michigan (September 05)

The trips to Brazil have been such a blessing in my life. I have learned so much about myself and others. I have learned about the beauty and spirit of the people from Brazil. Thank you again for giving me that opportunity. I am deeply grateful to be part of the “Wisdom of the Rainforest” journey. One day I will make it back to my other home! :) All my blessings and prayers go with all of you and the wonderful work you are doing.

Karen Telker Milford, Connecticut (March 04)

The Brazilian Amazon Rainforest: A step back into history or step into the future?

When we hear the word “rainforest” images of verdant green vines and plants with massive leaves come to mind against a backdrop of cooling pristine waterfalls and a myriad of wildlife that scurry unseen within the depths of the humid jungle. We’ve all heard about the need to protect and preserve the rainforest and its valuable medicinal plants, but what is a journey to this region really like?

My experiences and interactions with the people and life of the Amazon can best be described as nurturing, gentle, and healing. As the National Museum of American Indians in Washington D.C. opened to acknowledge and honor the First Nations people of this country, I reflected on the lives and contributions of the First Nations people of the Amazon as well. Gentle and loving, the people from many indigenous tribes of Brazil live a lifestyle that seems to take a step back into history. While their day-to-day lives are not always easy, they live in harmony with the earth and by the principles of mutual respect for all living things.

From lazing in a gently swaying hammock strung under an open-air hut, to sharing in the legends and folklore of the region at sundown, the pace is slowed offering much needed time to connect and gain new insights into the direction of our lives. I’ve enjoyed hearing the rhythmic beat of the dancers from small communities who performed special welcome dances for us along with the sounds of frogs and howler monkeys singing in the early morning hours. Working with local healers who graciously share their age-old wisdom with us and participating in informal classes on various medicinal plants, the journey is not only relaxing but a wonderful hands-on learning experience. The wonderfully prepared meals of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish tantalize our palate as much as the delicious fragrances of blooming flowers captivate our others senses. This is not your basic “tourist chartered sight-seeing mass productions venture” but an experience that values each participant and honors their needs and expectations.

Feeling the deep sense of community that exists in these small villages makes us yearn to bring part of this experience back with us. A portion of the trip fees goes to support educational and cultural programs within the small local community schools, as well as maintaining the ecological/educational sanctuary at Tarumã. These trips offer not only personal rejuvenation and educational interaction, but provide a viable way to make a positive contribution to both the people and the environment of the Amazon. Few commercial tour operators can claim that.

While this truly is a once in a lifetime experience, having returned several times already, once has never been enough for me.

Max W. Student, Pennsylvania (April 04)

Thank you for everything! Our trip was spectacular! I really appreciate your flexibility and your effort to provide the best journey at a reasonable cost. You have a lovely country filled with wonderful people. Thank you for helping us visit it.

All of the Taruma Sanctuary was excellent, as was the food. The dinner at the Toro Loco was particularly very good. The journey was superb! The native teachers made it even more special with their knowledge and humor. The journey at the caves and the waterfalls was a once in a lifetime experience; the camping in the middle of the rainforest was really a thrill and the riverboat & hikes far exceeded our expectations. Gave us a chance to relax and see the beautiful scenery. Swimming with the pink dolphins was also very special.

I can't believe all the wildlife we saw including monkeys, sloth, iguanas, alligators, snakes, lizards, many special birds, bats, frogs, and huge insects. It was amazing!!

The transportation from one place to another was amazing. The crew people from the riverboat were always on time and courteous with real great skills!!

If you ever want to use me as reference or contact, feel free. Once again thank you very much for this educational trip!

Linda Vaccaro Teacher, New York (September 04)

I wish to extend to you my most heartfelt expression of gratitude. You will never know how deeply you have touched my life, on so many levels. The vast love that pours forth from your hearts, and the empathy you demonstrated toward the natives we visited is a shining example of what it means to be a truly compassionate being.

The both of you will forever be in my heart. I will always cherish my renewed connection to mother earth, as well as meeting the shamans, native people, and the beautiful school children who I absolutely adored! I'm tirelessly working on changing and expanding other people's minds. For me this was a life changing, powerfully healing experience. I feel I have so many memories and friendships to hold on to and treasure. I have learned so much from healers about love, kindness, and nurturing. I have come away so much stronger, and I want to thank you both for helping me find that strength.

Patty G. Student, Connecticut (September 04)

Just wanted to thank you and let you know that Judi and I had an incredible rainforest adventure made possible by your patience and hard work! Although there was a lot of traveling, it was well worth it! The majestic Amazon, flora and fauna, trails, natural food, fishing, swimming with pink dolphins was incredible!! The native teachers and people were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, making us feel safe while also ensuring that we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest.

Each time I zipped to a new platform they would greet me with a huge smile. Thank you again for accommodating us on a budget and with such short notice.

Regards.

Georgios P. Student, Greece (February 03)

This was my second trip to the rainforest and I saw more of the people this time. I think the first time you go to rainforest you look for all of the things you see or hear about on TV. You look for the animals; the thatched homes and you look for ways you can help improve the lives of the people. In the rainforest the big animals don't roam the houses. You can see a variety of homes in the native communities and in the cities, from houses with mud walls and banana leaf thatched roofs to lovely brick. The land is green with lots of vegetation and the soil is red for the most part.

The big river Amazon is powerful; overnight on the jungle; I enjoyed the rushing waters of Iracema Falls and the sacred caves. Most of all I was impressed with the people we met. We met very friendly native people, very nice. I consider them real family friends. They make you feel so much at home and tell you that you are "Most Welcome.” The medicine men work very good and gently. They are a prayerful people and seem to be thankful to God for everything they have.

During our visit to native communities, I looked at the school facilities that needed a lot of improvement. I look forward to an opportunity to return and do some improvement. I'll share some ideas with teachers and students.

Thanks so much for inviting me to go on these journey with you. This experience has changed my life.

Susan H. Practitioner, New York (June 03)

I wanted to thank you for arranging our trip to rainforest last month! We really, really enjoyed our time there. During our enquiry and booking stages your prompt assistance and coordination of our package was appreciated. My only suggestion for improvement would be to let people know that the distances between places are large and travel time is long and we didn't mind it, but would have liked to have been more aware of it. Oh, and the other thing: next time we have to spend 3 days in the virgin jungle, not only one!! As you may remember, I work for an airline, so I will definitely promote your trip to my colleagues ;-)
Thank you again!!!