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7
August
Itacoatiara
Thanks to the support of the Bolivian
and Brazilian Navy and our other sponsors in Bolivia
and Brazil the Kota Mama expedition has now reached
the Rio Amazon. We reached the river at 5.30 pm on 6
August, after battering against strong winds for four
days. Crewmembers are now sporting great tans from constantly
being out in the bright sunshine.
Anaconda Watch
Yesterday we had the opportunity to
see the skin of a 21-foot anaconda at the police station.
Two weeks ago this huge snake was shot after it had
seized a dog and crushed it to death.
Our progress so far
KM3 has now voyaged for 3000 km since
leaving Guanay, Bolivia, on 16 June. On 5 July it became
the first manned boat to navigate the terrible Esperanza
rapid on the Rio Beni and later it shot through many
fearsome cataracts on the Rio Madeira.
The only major mishap we have had
so far was at the Riberio rapids, when the crew was
tossed into the water. However, everyone survived and
there were no serious injuries. Maximo Catari, our boat
builder, flew from La Paz with reeds to repair the damaged
sterns and the boat sailed on.
In Bolivia much archaeological, biological
and community aid work has been carried out successfully.
The team dentist has now removed 1000 teeth from the
poor people of the area who cannot afford medical treatment.
Our doctors too have treated hundreds of patients.
Anthropologists from the University
of Brasilia have joined the expedition to participate
in the archaeological digs and the medical team is now
working with various mission organizations in Brazil.
We have received much publicity in
both South America and Britain, with the expedition
being featured on TV and in the press. Large crowds
gather at the riverbanks wherever we dock. Our website
is receiving world wide acclaim and school children
in South America are being linked to children in Europe
via satellite phones.
The balsa raft, built in Guanay, is
working well and will be carried to Britain for display
at the end of this historic voyage. The trimaran KM3
will be presented to the Brazilian Navy in Belém.
The crew is doing well and is in good
spirits.
The fleet, which now includes a Brazilian
support vessel aim to reach the Atlantic Ocean at Belém
on 6 September.
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