In honor of Women’s Month, meet Emma Phillips, a freelance writer from the UK who explored the rainforest with her Brazilian partner and uncovered a universe of wild nature and cultural diversity
In December of last year, 30-year-old British freelance writer Emma Phillips lived a transformative experience. After meeting Jamille, a Brazilian academic from Belém do Pará, her world began to expand from the rolling hills of England to the depths of the Amazon Rainforest, creating a beautiful cross-cultural love story that was recently shared in an article for Condé Nast Traveller.
Looking for the ideal way to explore her partner’s homeland and connect her British father to this new world, Emma chose PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil, to organize this adventure. Together, the trio embarked on a five-day river cruise along the Rio Negro, navigating the waters of the Anavilhanas and Jaú National Parks.
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“For Jamille, it was a chance to further explore areas of her own region that she didn’t know yet. For me, it allowed me to experience the place she comes from through a personal perspective. My world expanded,” Emma shared in an interview in for Women’s Month.
Deep connection with local roots
The trip went far beyond simply observing landscapes; the real difference was the immersion fostered by the local communities, especially educational programs. “It’s all about the people. I was very impressed by the project around the schools, the stunning architecture. Everything was so clever and beautiful,” she highlights.
@emmalathamphillips
Accompanied by a tour guide who transformed the forest into a true classroom using the knowledge of his ancestors, the group experienced the most authentic side of the Amazon. “The entire boat crew and the guides were locals. Seeing tourism being used in an authentic and non-predatory way to improve the lives of communities and preserve the environment was an inspiration.”
Despite the difference in realities, Emma wasn’t shocked by the structure of that way of life. Having worked with Brazilian indigenous leaders before, she knows this part of the world quite well. “It’s really powerful, like unlearning everything that I’ve been taught,” she states, defining the experience as a way to understand the significance of cultural diversity.
👉 Read more:
- 5 adventure trips for women: safety, nature, and freedom
- Ecotourism in Brazil boosts solo travel for women through planning and support networks
The power of nature and human warmth
Navigating the Rio Negro brought fascinating contrasts for the family. Emma describes the forest as “encompassing and intense,” while the river offered a sense of “enormous openness and tranquility”—with the great advantage that the acidic dark waters kept the mosquitoes away!
During the expedition, they were graced by giant otters, caimans, different species of birds, river dolphins, and other Amazon animals. Nature also showed its magnitude when a severe storm on the last night reminded them of the forest’s power and the importance of the crew’s preparation.
Traveling as a queer woman, Emma confesses there is always an internal anxiety about how her relationship will be received. However, the welcome on the cruise was notable. “At first, the crew tried to understand our dynamic—a British woman and an Amazonian woman together—but as soon as they understood, the atmosphere was one of total respect, and no one made us feel uncomfortable.”
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One of the most touching moments occurred in the boat’s kitchen. “One of the chefs shared that her own daughter was also queer. I think she was pleased to see our dynamic play out in front of her. It was lovely,” she recalls.
👉 Read more:
- Women in ecotourism: female presence that makes things happen
- Women over 50 break stereotypes and prove that adventure knows no age
Travel that empowers (and an invitation)
The journey through the Amazon united families from different continents and reinforced Emma’s belief in the transformative power of exploring the unknown. “Traveling allows us to witness other ways of existing in the world. I believe that travel empowers any woman, any person, as it provides experiences where you have to be constantly decisive, face fears, and assess risks.”
For women who dream of exploring the immensity of the Amazon but still feel some hesitation, Emma’s advice is clear: focus on safety by traveling with support, along with a group or a trusted tour operator.
@emmalathamphillips
👉 Read more: Why Brazil’s remote outdoors are becoming a haven for foreign female travelers
Expanding horizons with PlanetaEXO
Driven by love and a profound interest in nature and cultural diversity, Emma was able to expand her view of the world. That’s what traveling does—it gifts us with the beautiful knowledge that life knows no borders and that there is much to see out there.
With PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil, this journey becomes even richer. By following guidelines that create a positive impact on the environment and local communities, we provide fulfilling, unforgettable experiences. Contact us now!
