June 20, 2001
Rurrenbaque

The weather was quite cold yesterday with continuous rainfall. We've been spotting the varied wildlife of the Amazon including the Golden Macaw and Capybara.

We had a minor mishap when KM3 struck a submerged log pitching Yoli, Eric Niemi & Geoff Hoskins into water. They are okay except for a few minor bruises and abrasions, as well as the sudden shock of finding themselves in the river. Last night we camped at the Madidi National Park entrance, where there's just a sign and a small hut marking it's location.

An advance party, including Peter Kannangara, was sent ahead by boat to Rurrenbaque to record the welcome ceremony that was being planned by the people of Rurrenbaque. Shirley was also at Rurrenbaque with stores on the Prefectura's 10-ton truck. This vehicle leaves us tomorrow, and then the entire expedition will be on the river until we get to Riberalta.

This morning the fleet swept through the Great Susi Canyon (which marks the end of the Andean chain) and sailed on into the Beni Region river port of Rurrenabaque. KM3 had her sails up for the first time and was much admired by the waiting crowds. A military band and guard of honour greeted the fleet. A Bolivian naval boat escorted us to the mooring on a sandy riverbank.

The weather has improved today and is dry but still only 15 degrees centigrade. Shirley's busy with the community work while the rest of us our working on the boats in preparation for our departure tomorrow. The next major port-of-call will be Riberalta approximately 800 km away by river. We hope to get there by 30 June.