The blogs are kindly sponsored by The Energy Brokers

Arrived back in the jungle two days ago, Saturday, my feet are a lot better but not fully recovered but I knew that Ed and Cho would not be waiting long in Santa Rita. So I took the decision to take the 100-mile boat journey downstream to join them again, which turned out to be almost as painful as my feet. twelve hours in 14ft canoe going a maximum of 8mph was never going to be fun but if you forgot, as I did that the banks of the river are flooded and have a big breakfast it can be a wholly different experience entirely! One partially ruptured colon later and I finally arrived in Santa Rita, three hours after sunset, Ed and Cho already given up hope of my return.

We had made the plan to cross the Amazon on the Sunday morning and if I had not arrived there would be no real chance to rejoin after they had gone to the southern bank. I was rather excited about the crossing as we would be paddling across in a dugout canoe across the three km wide river, flowing at an average of 8kmh we figured we would be washed down quite a way. The local Tikuna people had informed us that it was impossible to cross without a motor due to the unpredictable currents.

As it turned out, it was not impossible and with all of us putting all we had into it, it only took 15 minutes, rather than the 3 hours we were told if we were able to make it at all. We were pleased with our efforts but unfortunately due to our planning on the crossing taking longer, we ended up 6km further up the river than expected which we had previously walked on the other side. As Ed said, “It was a load of fuss about nothing”

We made it to the next community the following day were everyone was smiles and friendliness. The community of 50 houses is set next to the river and on the other side high ground, which we will take to try to get further from the flooded forest. The high ground will be a welcome change for my rotten feet, which are just about holding together; with any luck my feet will be dry for most of the next few days.

So I am writing from my hammock next to a little brook, there is a slight patter of rain on my rain fly above me. Ed woke me early this morning shouting about spider monkeys swinging through the canopy high overhead. It is great to be back here, despite the problems with my feet I am happy to be here again as it was a great disappointment thinking I might have to leave after such a short mount of time on the expedition.

Sam

Crossing the Amazon from Walking the Amazon Videos on Vimeo.

Leafcutter Ants in Ed’s Pants from Walking the Amazon Videos on Vimeo.