Petr Tlapák
Petr Tlapák: The Man Who Brought the Amazon Home
"Everything is connected," says Petr Tlapák – traveler, carpenter, former firefighter, boat builder, most recently electrician, and above all a man who decided to change the world starting with a small piece of land in his home village. His story is a mosaic of adventures, personal transformations, and a deep connection with nature – and it all began in the small village of Žižín near Pardubice.
From a Swamp to Little Amazonia
When Petr bought a neglected wetland plot at the end of the village, many thought he was crazy. He didn’t give up on his vision and named the wetland Little Amazonia – as a tribute to the Great Amazon, which had saved his health and life path several times. His vision is clear: to return water to the landscape and restore the original biotope. He wants to support the idea that it is worth caring about nature around us. By revitalizing this land, he aims to restore an old river branch of the Chrudimka and create a space where life can flourish again.
A Traveler with a Thirst for Adventure
Petr started traveling at twenty, eager to explore the world and nature as soon as he could. From Scotland and New Zealand to China, Mongolia, South America, and beyond. Often without money, but with determination and a desire to see the world differently than through travel agency catalogs. For example, he traveled from his village all the way to the North Sea in a self-made canoe. He explored Mongolia in various ways, even on horseback. He also cycled across much of South America on a 1989 Favorit bicycle.
The Amazon – A Place He Always Returns To
But the Amazon left the deepest mark on his heart. In 2006, Petr lived with local descendants of indigenous people by the Napo River, where he learned not only to catch electric eels but mainly to listen to nature. Years later, after his service as a fire officer in Prague left him exhausted and facing health collapse, he chose a radical change. He quit his job, packed his backpack, and returned to the rainforest.
Together with a Frenchman and an Austrian, he unexpectedly built a traditional dugout canoe – a monoxyl – which they named Edilberto, in honor of the wise father of Petr’s old jungle guide. Their goal? To reach a hidden lake unknown to outsiders and catch the legendary arapaima. In the end, they caught none – and it didn’t matter. The goal wasn’t the fish, but the journey itself through this unique part of our planet, the Amazon rainforest.
Repaying the Amazonian Debt
Petr often says he feels indebted to the Amazon. “It always helped me and put me back together. And now I feel I’m on the right path to repay it, at least in part.” For Petr, realizing the vision of Little Amazonia is an enormous challenge entirely from his own initiative. Anyone can help him repay this Amazonian debt – by changing behavior toward nature, spreading awareness, or contributing to his initiative to preserve nature for future generations.
Amazonia at Home
After returning to the Czech Republic, Petr realized he didn’t need to travel to the other side of the world to find meaning in living with nature. He brought the Amazon home – to his Little Amazonia. His new dream? To transform a neglected piece of land in Žižín into a system of ponds that will retain water, absorb CO₂, and serve as a refuge for nature and people alike.
“I’ve transplanted the Amazon into this land. I’m fulfilling not only my vision but also my father’s dream, who strove for the same goal. I don’t need to travel anywhere right now. This is fine,” says Petr. And while he smiles admitting he doesn’t know if he can complete the project, what matters is to start and not give up!
