After decades at the helm of Google’s medical division, I found myself in a place where technology didn’t matter—surrounded by the hum of the Amazon Rainforest. As a retired MD, I had seen all the advances in medical technology, but nothing had prepared me for the raw, unfiltered power of the natural world. The Amazon is often called “the lungs of the Earth,” but standing in the heart of it, I realized it’s much more than that—it’s the pulse of the planet.

My adventure began with a small canoe ride into the blackwater rivers of the Amazon, where I marveled at the pristine, untouched landscape. With the help of a local guide, I learned about the delicate ecosystem that thrives here, far from the digital world I once knew. During the day, I trekked along the muddy trails, spotting rare wildlife like macaws, capybaras, and the elusive jaguar. But it was at night, under the blanket of a starlit sky, that the true magic happened.

I joined a night canoe trip with an indigenous guide, quietly paddling through waters that reflected the dense jungle overhead. The eerie calls of howler monkeys echoed across the river, and the soft splash of caimans in the water reminded me just how far away from civilization I was. It felt like being in a living dream—a dream that needed protection from the encroachment of human progress.

This journey taught me that the beauty of nature cannot be measured in algorithms or business metrics, but in the peace it offers to those who are willing to listen.

Key Adventures:

• Canoeing under the stars: A night trip through the blackwater rivers, where the jungle’s nocturnal life unfolded.

• Trekking through the rainforest: Spotting wildlife from macaws to jaguars in their natural habitat.

• Learning from indigenous guides: Gaining insight into the deep, ancient knowledge they hold about the forest.

📍 Location: Amazon Rainforest, Brazil