A gentle giant from Manaus 
News

A gentle giant from Manaus

The gentle manatee or the peixe-boi is an aquatic mammal that once thrived in the Amazon

Author : Kai Friese

Bangkok has its lady boys but the Amazonian town of Manaus has peixe bois. If it sounds like a slur on someones manhood, it is. Peixe boi means &lsquofish cow&rsquo in other words, the gentle manatee. The aquatic mammals once thrived in the Amazon but when the rubber economy collapsed, Manaus went without electricity, and manatee fat burned in the city&rsquos lamps. That&rsquos what they told me. But they also said that the manatees&rsquo cousin, the boto or river dolphin comes ashore to light up the nights of local women with &ldquothe best sex in the world&rdquo. No wonder there were no botos at the souvenir shop. My peixe boi cost me 15 reais.

20 Best Places To Visit In India In March 2026: Hills, Beaches, Deserts, Heritage, And National Parks

India Travel After Union Budget 2026: How New Routes, Connectivity & Tourism Opportunities Will Change Every Traveller’s Journey

Budget 2026 Bets Big On Homestays, Hotels, And The Rise Of Rural Tourism

Dining Amid The Aravallis: Inside The Leela Palace Jaipur’s Culinary Experiences

Global Traffic Index 2025: Indian Cities Among The Most Congested On Earth

SCROLL FOR NEXT