Into the Amazon with Robson Green S01E01 - Episode 1

Robson Green embarks on a journey of a lifetime to the largest rainforest on earth, home to an unparalleled diversity of life, and a refuge for black caiman, pink dolphins, sloths and piranhas – with all of whom he gets up close and personal during this remarkable three-part series.

Opening in Alter do Chao, the Amazon's answer to the Caribbean, and the "gateway" to the rainforest, Robson finds himself taking a perilous and frankly terrifying route to the very top of the tree canopy. The view however is utterly intoxicating and gives Robson some idea of just how vast and important this rich ecosystem is.

Inspired to learn more, Robson drives south, winding through swathes of land that has been cleared for cattle farming. Keen to understand more about the threats to the rainforest, he meets a farming community on the riverside who are embracing sustainable farming methods and are replanting thousands of seedlings.

One of the species threatened by deforestation are the native sloths. Robson heads to an animal rehabilitation centre where he has the rare opportunity to observe these magnificent and endearing creatures as they are prepared to be returned to the wild.

In Santarém, Robson visits a local market with a medical doctor who unveils the incredible healing qualities of some of the 80,000 plants found in the Amazon rainforest. A whopping 25% of Western cosmetics and drugs are derived from the Amazon, and Robson learns their properties could be more powerful than botox, and some are being developed as remedies for diseases such as cancer and TB. It truly is the "world's largest pharmacy".

Back in a local bar, Robson is invited to join a traditional carimbó dance, something he does with relish, whilst also attempting to introduce the "lawnmower" to Brazil.

In Manaus, the "Paris of the Tropics", Robson reveals how the Teatro Amazonas - the city's beautiful and opulent opera house - is a testament to the vast wealth created by the rubber industry. But the extravagances of those who benefitted from the boom came at a bloody price.

At the colourful Adolpho Lisboa market Robson is given an eye-popping introduction to the weird and wonderful ingredients of the Amazon by the charming and knowledgeable celebrity chef, Felipe Schaedler.

With his feet firmly back on the ground, Robson throws himself into learning capoeira, a Brazilian form of self-defence developed by enslaved people in the colonial era and cleverly disguised as a dance.