Renowned luxury Red Coast Resort owners evict seekers and Monks, relocate to help the environment

Yami, Eve Heartsong, Josette Parkin, and handsome
Leslie Trenton show off the newly minted Libertad Resort sign.
Photos by Persephone Bolero

By Persephone Bolero

AMAZON — For years now, the Red Coast Resort has been an oasis of luxury in the undeveloped backwater of our jungle community. Lying on the eastern beaches, past the bamboo forests, it was quite a hike to reach this opulent location. But no more. 

Eve Heartsong, First Lady of the Libertad Republic, had been away for years, searching for the Libertad heir, Dylan Heartsong Jr. While she was away, squatters, including the Seeker Tantrica and the Monk Baron, had taken up residence in Libertad, which lies just north of Gallivant’s Clearing — and they had not been paying rent to the Heartsongs. 

“My husband, President Heartsong, was especially angry when he found that they had vandalized the Hacienda he had commissioned for our retirement home,” Eve Heartsong told the Amazon River Sun.

 

Eve Heartsong relaxes in her Hacienda mansion.

 

The squatters had erected a number of corrugated metal and tarpaper dwellings, which had begun to and attract pests and leach toxic chemicals into the rich jungle soil. As avowed environmentalists, the Heartsongs worried the squalor could potential harm the environment of Libertad. They begun relocating the lower income residents to more suitable accommodations, and they evicted Tantrica and Baron.

“They’re environmentalists,” Josette Parkin, Libertad Resort maid and laundress, said.

In order to resist further attempts of squatters to settle in Libertad, the Heartsongs have relocated to the Hacienda in Libertad, and they have rebuilt their resort on beaches northeast of Gallivant’s Clearing.

“We believe in the preservation of the forest, so we will repurpose a lot of the materials that were used to erect the resort. The land will be available for rent soon. While we don't condone squatting on the Red Coast, we've shifted our priority to Libertad, and we've decided that it will become the capital of the Red Republic, given how its more centrally located,” Eve Heartsong said. 

Though the Sun was unable to find official deeds to confirm the claim, Eve Heartsong said that she and her husband own everything from Turtle Beach to the Red Coast, including several islands off the south and eastern shores. 

The new resort, which has been dubbed the Libertad Resort, will feature all the same luxurious amenities that the Red Coast Resort offered, including clean rooms, laundry services, a nature pool, a proper restroom, and free Ms. PacMan for those who appreciate 1980s nostalgia. The new Libertad Lounge will offer top-shelf libations, as well as monster drinks and other caffeinated beverages. 

 

The restroom is exquisite but for paying customers only.

 

The Heartsongs are working to staff all open positions at the new location. They hope to hire people from the local community, if there are enough who can speak fluent English, can be trained in modern courtesies and customer service, and practice a decent amount of hygiene. 

To welcome everyone to the new luxury destination, the Libertad Resort is holding a Hacienda Brunch Social on Saturday, August 3, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event is open to the public. 

Libertad Resort and Red Coast Resort are registered trademarks of Heartsong Enterprises, Inc. Franchise opportunities are available.

Special Report for the Amazon River Sun: Doorway to Monks' secretive lair left unlocked

Broken door or clever trap?
Photos by Cerise Rouge

by Cerise Rouge

 

AMAZON -- I write these lines under some pressure and dread, as I think that what the reader is about to learn are unique events with unpredictable consequences. A sense of foreboding mixed with expectation make it so that this report is not easy for me.

 I was busy in the past two weeks with my research on possible alien infestations in the northwestern parts of the Amazon, as well as the study of the powerful tribe of the Xoco. The well-known incident with the Policia Amazonica also some work and sleeping time from me. The amount of material was such that I had little time for other projects. 

 But a series of encounters led my to increased interest and understanding of the group or sect known as the Iluminados. This mysterious grouping, although "known" all across these regions, is very difficult to define. Testimonies from dozens of people I have interviewed are contradictory and range from the fanciful and absurd to the fearful and negative. Therefore the truth must be somewhere in between, and our reporting will be strict and sober.

In the period I am describing, I met a wonderful man who is a member of the Order, and aside of gentle and philosophical conversations, which cemented our friendship, he also explained to me deeper worship that lies behind the mysterious grouping. And it is with great respect to my friend and those teachings that I write these lines.

In fact, this is not about me or my friend, but instead an event which should concern everybody due to possible consequences. I will not reveal the names of the principal witnesses and actors to protect the innocent, and I hope that some authority -- which probably won't be the Policia Amazonica given their extraneous preoccupations -- takes some responsibility in the investigation of these events.

 "About three days ago, during a long and sleepless night, a native came to my house agitated and somewhat confused, and he almost shouted, 'The door to the Void is open!'"

As all the witnesses assert, the Order distinguishes itself for having a secret realm known as "The Void," and by the possession of a magical door which leads to that area. People talk about extraordinary scenes, beautiful rock formations, shining tree or plant-like structures, vast chambers and a very large arrangement of recesses, pools, fountains and places to worship nature and the Goddess. All of that, as the more experienced travelers say, in accordance with the ancient religion of the Pachamama. 

As everybody knows, that door is protected by a secret code, which is known only to the initiates, and it is the object of interminable speculation. People have tried their luck standing for hours in front of the door to no avail. And I know this because earlier in the month I also saw Amazonians trying to break the code in what seemed at the time one more mystery of these regions.

It will be a matter of further research, if at all possible, to determine the reality of those stories, as well as the dimensions and nature of the Void. With my own eyes I have seen only a very small part of it, and my vision was not adapted to the darkness that seems to be a characteristic of those strange chambers. Now, putting aside these considerations, I will refer only the facts of an event that may signal enormous changes in the Order and the Amazon, or that may be only an accident or a technical failure of some nature.

"The unexpected news brought fear and anxiety to me, instead of curiosity."

The fact is that about three days ago, during a long and sleepless night, a native came to my house agitated and somewhat confused, and he almost shouted, "The door to the Void is open!" He was unable to give any details but revealed that he and other natives had entered the sacred realm. Some of them were still wandering in the secret chambers. Without much conversation, he left, announcing that we was going back to the Void and we would talk later.

The unexpected news brought fear and anxiety to me, instead of curiosity. I returned to my notebooks trying to record everything and meditate about the situation. The next day similar news came from two different sources, and in the third day the number of people who had seen the open door or had even entered the Void was so large that I had to make a decision. I cautiously swam towards the western banks of the Tapajos and waited for a quiet moment, hoping that nobody would see me, especially not the armed guards who come frequently to the area and chase away any visitors. Once I felt safe I ran inside of the temple and approached the recess where the door is. Given what I knew, it was not a surprise to see the opened door, like a massive stone disk with strange chiseled markings on its surface. The circular door was not only open, but also ajar, as if it had been pried open by force or explosion. To the side of the round frame the control panel was in flames, smoke filling the area near the door.

 

A keypad provides entry for those who know the code.

 

The reader will understand that I did not dare to enter the Void under such circumstances. I was cautious and did not act as the "daredevil" that some believe I am, thinking that the consequences of this event are far more important than the fleeting emotions of visiting a forbidden space. I took photos of the door, which you can see accompanying this article and ran back to the river and my house with my heart racing full of anticipation. The same day a local resident of fine reputation came to my pier and we shared information. As per his version, the door has been open for several days and apparently there has been no attempt at repairing it. People have been entering the Void and reports are confusing about how many or if this is still happening. Suddenly a new veil of silence falls over the event after some days of excitement and rumors, but I think this should be made public so that each resident is able to judge for her or himself.

Open house?

This morning very early, just before writing this article, I again approached the Temple the Order and, as before, just looked around the first chamber and the door. And can confirm that as of July 25th, 2024, the door to the Void is open. In the silence of those moments, when the Amazon seems to be empty but nature calls us from every angl,e and the air is so dense and pure that we think we will live forever, I sit now in my cabin, looking over the river and wondering what lies in the future for us all.

Members of the community accuse police force of corruption, violating free speech

Sergeant Minoptra, left, during an awards ceremony.
File photo

Amazon River Sun Staff 

 RIO GRANDE — On a quiet evening in July, Sergeant Sunisa Minoptra and Officer Tiny of the Amazonia Policia arrived at the Amazon River Sun offices. They claimed to be conducting a lawful search of the premises and proceeded to rummage through shelves, papers, and the Sun publisher’s wardrobe, which is known to be the envy of the jungle. 

Sidney Priestman, who the officers had “brought along” to the raid as a witness looked away from the officers’ activities the whole time.

After placing Publisher Persephone Bolero under arrest, Minoptra claimed to have “found” methamphetamine in Bolero’s backpocket. Officer Tiny also concluded that a map of the Amazon tunnels on the wall of the Bolero’s kitchen was evidence of a conspiracy to commit terrorist actions.  

“Everyone knows I would never snort hillbilly cocaine,” Bolero told the Sun. “I grew up in Beverly Hills, for Christ’s sake. I care about my health. I would only snort real cocaine.”

Bolero was subsequently taken to the Amazonia Policia headquarters, where she was fined 500 coins without trial. 

Minoptra denies that the police engaged in anything illegal or that they’ve violated anyone’s rights in the course of conducting their law enforcement duties, including the raid on the Sun offices.

“The FPN Policia Amazonica have always behaved with the utmost professionalism and integrity, working our butts off for little reward to make the Amazon a much safer place for all,” Minoptra told the Sun. “I'm incredibly proud of what my fellow officers and I have achieved in the time we've been here.”

Officer Ace Falconvale told the Sun that, since he was hired, the police force trains officers to be professional and respect suspects’ rights. Before he was hired, Falconvale said, “Sergeant [Minoptra] taught us to rob from the poor and give to the rich —- sort of a reverse Robin Hood.” 

 

Amazonia Policia float in the Carnival parade in February.

File photo

 

However, Bolero is not the only member of the jungle community who say they’ve experienced such encounters with the so-called police force. Captain Micke Avora, an resident of the southern swamps who is believed to have a military intelligence background, told the Sun that he was having a conservation with Cerise Rouge, who happens to be a reporter for the Sun, when Minoptra pulled up to the pier of his home, on the day after police ransacked the Sun offices. 

Minoptra was dressed in uniform and asserted that she was conducting a search for “suspicious objects,” according to Avora. As with her search of the Sun offices, Minoptra did not ask the Avora to conduct the search and presented no warrant or other documentation to demonstrate the search was legal.

Rouge told the Sun that she tried to make light of the situation and joked about a possibly illegal bottle of gin on the premises. Minoptra, Rouge said, did not show any indication that the humor was appreciated.

After spending some time searching the premises, Minoptra told Avora and Rouge that she had arrested Bolero the previous day. When asked why, Minoptra refused to disclose the charges or any further information on Bolero’s arrest.

She also threatened to arrest Bolero’s boyfriend, Leslie Trenton, under suspicion of smuggling drugs. Trenton is a bush pilot who transports legal items at a competitive price. He has a proven track record of safety and reliability, according to every single one of his clients.

Minoptra has warned the Sun that publishing materials police find objectionable is not protected speech under the Brazilian Constitution. This statement has yet to be confirmed due to the lack of lawyers in the region. Bolero, who has a Juris Doctor degree from Phoenix Online College, said she is pretty sure Brazil has free speech protections, including freedom of the press. 

“The constitution isn’t in English, which is very inconvenient. Nonetheless, they probably just copied the American Bill of Rights. I think most countries do,” Bolero said. 

Minoptra told Bolero that the charges against her will be pressed at a forthcoming trial, and that she should be very careful what she writes about the police force.

A guide to the best places to have sex in the Amazon

Photos by a local voyeur

 

By Persephone Bolero

AMAZON -- Readers of the Sun know I have a list of complaints concerning the natives. But there is one aspect of native culture in which I must admit the natives are the advanced people. 

I’m talking about sex. The civilized world has cured diseases, raised standards of living, and become obese with prosperity. Yet, for reasons I’ve never understood, this advanced world decided somewhere after the fall of Rome that sex is something dangerous. It sought to control, confine, and in some cases, eradicate carnal pleasures entirely. 

Meanwhile, natives display a general acceptance of coital couplings or triplings where ever and whenever the mood may strike. I wish my fellow city folk would come to realize that the best orgasms are enjoyed beneath the stars or basking in the rays of the sun, but alas, they are being left behind in this regard.

If you are among those who eschew four walls when in the throes of passion, this guide will help you find the ideal atmosphere in the jungle for your next outdoor adventure. Whether you are a couple looking for romance, a group of friends seeking a venue for your lurid party, or a captor looking for a quiet spot for to take your captive and celebrate your victory, the jungle has something for everyone.

A comprehensive list would be far too great of an undertaking for a single article, so we here at the Sun may revisit this topic again the future. For now, please feel free to comment with your suggestions of the best places to unleash your inhibitions. 

 

Cenote (Best place for romance):

For those who like a little atmosphere for their love making, couples can go down to Cenote to go down on each other.

You and your lover — or lovers — can strip away your garments at the top and plunge into cool waters below. The shock of going from humid heat to cold water provides some exhilaration to whet your pallet before you fully indulge your appetites.

A dock provides the ideal setting for a picnic, where you can nibble upon grapes picked fresh from the vine while your lover pleasures you. Cliffs rise high above a cool pool below, where the dim lights from above reflect upon the stony walls surrounding its banks. The wavy blueness creates a mood of cool romance as things get hot, and moans, grunts, and heavy breaths will reverberate off the stony walls to surround couples in a chorus of their own pleasures.

Cenote is best reached by way of the Deep Drop gate location. From there, hike north a ways until you come to a gate near some strawberry bushes. 

Red Coast Beach (Best place for threesomes or moresomes): 

 

For those who don’t mind a bit of a hike, far to the east of Gallivant’s Clearing is the Red Coast Resort. It has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Amazon. While the bar and pool offer distinguished couples a classy spot for their trysts, the wide assortment of furniture is a great location for a tasteful orgy. 

The beach contains wide blankets with plenty of room for two to four, and the lounge chairs provide comfort to those who like to watch the activities around them. The staff are friendly and serve the finest in top-shelf libations. The rooms are clean and comfortable should you decide to party through the night and not want to walk home. 

The Red Coast can be reached reached via the gates or tunnels, with clearly labeled exits. The amenities are many, but they don’t come cheap. So bring plenty of coins.  

 

Beautiful Falls: (Best place for sunshine):  

 

 

Beautiful Falls neighbors Turtle Beach, and it offers the ideal location for those who like to get a tan while pleasuring and being pleasured. 

The destination has a crystal-clear water pond fed by falls that crash down from the pyramid looming over the spot. At the center of the pond is a raft with a comfortable mattress upon it. It doesn’t have a lot of room for a third person, but couples can enjoy some time together while the mist from the falls leaves cool droplets on their bare skin. 

The pond empties into the ocean, and beneath the roar of the falls is the gentle lapping of the waves. Should you prefer a quieter spot on the beach, there is a a wooden patio hanging from some palm trees next to the river delta, away from the falls. 

Beautiful Falls is best reached via the tunnels at Gullivant’s Clearing. There’s a tunnel exit that pops out at Turtle Beach, and the falls are just a quick hike from there.  

 

 Suni’s Bar: (Best place to get down and dirty):  

 

 

Suni’s Bar opened earlier this year, and despite repeated health-code violations, it’s managed to outlast its competitors. For those who like it dirty, Suni’s bar puts the gross in doing the nasty. This is the ideal location for people to truly fuck. Couples can go at it upon the stain-covered pool table, the stain-covered trestle table, or the stain-covered bar stools. Moans will mix with the buzzing of flies and the scurrying of rats, while the stench will help mask any bodily odors that come out during the encounter. 

Unlike the Red Coast, Suni’s bar has only beer, but it’s cheap and plentiful, which can be helpful when trying to get your date in the mood. For those who prefer a bit of privacy, the spot behind the dumpster will give you some cover for your clandestine encounter. Just watch out for the puddles, as it also serves as the only restroom at the dive. 

Suni's Bar is best reached via the Gates. Just take the Mosquito Bay location and head west. If you get lost, just follow the smell of rotting meat.  

 

Gallivant’s Clearing: (Best place for exhibitionists):  

 

Gallivant’s Clearing is known colloquially as “the landing.” This highly trafficked spot is the ideal location for those who like an audience. Newcomers from across the globe will often pass through Gallivant’s Clearing, and what better way to show them just how exotic the Amazon is than to let them see you and your lover going at it as if it were nothing. 

Aside from a couple chairs, there isn’t much furniture for your encounter at the Clearing. So, it’s a good idea to bring a blanket and some pillows, unless, of course, you prefer the masochistic qualities of laying your back on the hard ground.

Dispatches from the Jungle: First visit to the joyful Tapirape

Amazon River Sun Columnist Cerise
Photos by Cerise unless otherwise noted

By Cerise

As promised, here is my first contribution to Amazon River Sun, on my first visit to the Upper Tapajos River, to the lands of the Tapirape.

This trip was not the first to the northern parts of the river regions, as I usually move up and then to the west in search for places to explore and hunt -- an Amazonian ritual you might say, where very different people meet in groups or alone at the famous and dreaded Skull Cave.

It was on one of these trips bearing to the west, where I first met the man who was to be my guide for the Tapirape land -- my friend Cor Sands. Many Tapirape move along the Tapajos and pass by my cabin near the place where the river merges with the Swamp. In more than one occasion Tapirapes wave as they pass, swimming or boating. Their smiles and friendly manner consistently distinguish them from other travelers, as well as their colored attire and varied tattoos. For sure this is not too objective as there are so many human groups that are still a mystery to me.

Cor is a gentle and poetic man, elegant in presentation and in language. A flower that I gather is related to de Passion Fruit adorns the side of his head. He speaks calmly and with respect, and not without a dose of humor and gallantry. As said, we met by the river, far from the Tapirape camp, and he offered to guide me if I ever chose to visit the areas between the Tapajos and the Solimoes.

So last Thursday I woke up very early, checked my gear (the little that remains from the wreckage of my yacht), and boarded the extremely battered motor boat I managed to purchase from shady merchants I will not name.

A wooden gate marks the border of Tapirape territory

I set course to the north, remembering Cor's directions to stop by a wooden gate on the eastern bank. And there it was -- after passing the SALT encampment, the Amazon River Sun offices, various unknown outposts, the Healing Clinic and a mysterious gated cave which I will visit soon -- I disembarked and approached the gate knowing that Cor would be nearby, I dared to push the gate, and it gently opened. I found myself in a busy area with smokers and other cooking instruments to my right. As I moved further into the camp, I saw Cor standing beside his native hut with a wide smile on his face. 

Cor's hut lies just beyond the gate. 

 

Happiness was mutual, as we met almost as old friends, talking bout the trivialities of the life in the Amazon. Despite the banter, my guide was not distracted, and contrary to my expectations, he proceeded to show me the camp, area by area, systematically. But sadly not all of it, because the complex is really large.

We visited the fishing area, beautifully adorned with water lilies, the central platform with the totemic figure of the goat and the gathering area with neatly arranged seating and a large cauldron.

The Tapirape's favorite fishing hole.

 

It was like a dream, but a very organized one. Not only did Cor explain every point of interest, but also the site looked seriously arranged. There are specialized areas according to some "task" allocations, which have to do with the abilities of the local people.

The Tapirape camp File photo

While the plan of the camp is not very structured, each activity has a place. For example, a cleverly build storage area, which I cannot describe here due to the persistent incursions of some group who live to the west.

The goat totem looms over the Tapirape camp.

 

I proceeded to take some photos, which illustrate this article, and which I hope show the friendly, industrious and clever work of the Tapirape. As I say I did not visit the whole camp, which is very large. I am told that the Tapirape are also numerous, which I cannot confirm because at the time of my visit I could see only a total of three people including Cor. It seems they were out hunting or fishing, which according to my information are the main sources of food in the land.

Cor enjoys a beverage as he chats with Cerise

We settled for a coffee in the meeting area, close to the Cauldron, and tribesman Beda Boucher joined us in the conversation. It was one of the most suggestive meetings I have had in the Amazon, as the themes moved from the sexual behavior of the Tapirapes (Cor and Beda spoke with great respect and only indirectly) to questions of life and death, goat husbandry, hunting experiences, conflicts with other tribes and factions, and generally wondering about the life of good human beings in the Amazon.

Cor looks thoughtfully into the distance.

 

The only slightly fearful moment was when Cor described an apparently ancient custom of the land consisting of boiling enemies in a specially prepared cauldron. But I overcame bad feelings when he assured me that those were just local legends they have.

I agreed with my gentle guide to organize a second visit, perhaps to meet with the elders or leaders, and to learn more details about the culture. I still have to watch their ceremonies, and there are other mysteries --  for example, the giant Temple of the Wind (I hope I got the name correctly) which can be seen on top of a strange rock formation also near the Western side of the Tapirape land. 

It's too much for a single article and a single visit. So I invite the kind readers to follow this series... where I will show what I call the "actual Paradise" that is the Amazon River world.

Cor and Beda waved goodbye from the camp and I navigated back to my cabin downriver. As the engine of my battered boat resounded in the early evening, I had a sense of peace and human understanding.

Cerise pours her thoughts onto the page.