Amazon Adventure
Live diary
We aim to keep this section updated once a day during the event, where possible, however in some remote areas we may be unable to send back regular updates as often as we would like due to poor communication facilities.
Amazon Adventure 17 - 27 February 2006
19 February 2006
Quito
We had a phone call from Sara on the weekend, our rep on the Amazon Adventure trek. Everyone has arrived in Quito safely (after a few problems with some lost baggage!) and they are now off in the jungle to start their adventure. On their first night in Quito a few people went out to celebrate Melanie Dunscombe's birthday, and everyone is looking forward to another celebration for Bob Butler's birthday on the 27th when they'll be back in Quito again.
Since there is no reception in the jungle, we probably won't hear from the group again until they are out of the Amazon and back in Quito on the 24 of February, when we're sure to hear all about their adventures, so stay tuned!
Update 24 February 2006
Sara called today as the group have just left the jungle and now have mobile reception.
The group have had a fantastic time, and everyone has really enjoyed the trip. Of the 22 of them on the trip, 13 had their luggage lost on the flight from Madrid to Quito, and most of the luggage wasn't found and returned until well into the trip, where it had to be delivered to the Amazon Rainforest! So for four days everyone was sharing clothing and wearing the same smelly things for days on end. A few people bought some new things in Quito, and apparently Mike and Jackie bought some very unusual underwear! Although poor Janet only had her clothes returned to her last night. Sara said that everyone was really wonderful about sharing clothes, and it really made everyone feel very close (literally).
Here are some highlights so far:
Their guide Jose, who is apparently the Ecuadorian crocodile Hunter, really made the trip fantastic and had a huge amount of knowledge about the wildlife and rainforest. The group went on a night boat trip to look for caimans, small crocodiles that live in the rivers. Jose spotted one and jumped right into the river to grab it, and everyone got a chance to touch and hold it.
The group have seen all sorts of animals. Lots of spiders, turtles, birds and insects. They have been of lots of exciting night walks where they have been able to view rainforest animals in their natural habitat. Although at one point one of the group got a little lost (for an hour) and there were lots of cheers when they emerged back at the camp!
There have been lots of trips in the canoes, and some great races on the river. According to Sara, Team Piranas were the winners, although everyone has mastered the art of canoeing now.
The group have spent a few nights sleeping in the jungle, in the open air. Even though the first night was accompanied by the most torrential rain, both nights were incredible experiences for everyone, although Jayne did wake up with a fright when she thought that there was a spider was on her hand. Luckily it was just Bob grabbing it in his sleep!
They have also been on an early morning bird watching trip, been piranha fishing (congratulations to Lesley who caught two, and Tony, Janet and Bob who caught one), blown poison blowpipes and had a trip to Monkey Island.
Last night, in the middle of the final nights celebrations in the jungle, Jose supprised the group by turning up with a huge tarantula on his back. After a few initial screams, everyone had a turn of holding it! They must have all been desensitised over the last week...especially after the tour guide Jackie found a huge wolf spider in her bed one night.
The group are having their big celebration meal tonight (although it sounds as if they have done a fair bit of celebrating in the jungle too, they drank the bar dry in twenty minutes one night) and Sara will send another update once they arrive in Quito.
Best wishes,
Roxy
Events Assistant
National Deal Children's Society
Sunday 26th February
Well its our final day in Ecuador. We arrived back in Quito on Friday night and headed straight to our hotel. After a few of us made much needed trips to the laundry with our toxic jungle ridden clothes we got ready to end the evening with a celebration meal.
Having spent all week planning a gala night, Tony hosted an evening which revealed many hidden talents within the group. Mel started the proceedings by singing a song about our jungle experiences, Tresa and Sinead read a poem highlighting distinguishing traits of people in the group, as did Lesley and June. Heather and Sue hit the stage with some Kung Fu moves and Claude made a grand finale with a last minute entry which left the whole group roaring with laughter.
After a late night on Friday, half the group leapt out of bed for an early start to bike their way down Cotopaxi, the largest active volcano in the world. We were driven all the way to the snow line in trucks, with half of us sitting on the roof to take in the views. If only they´d warned us how freezing it would be up there!!!!!!
We were then fitted with our bikes and headed off down the volcano. The going was tough with bolders and uneven surfaces the whole way. Lots of the group fell off their bikes. Sue managed to injure her knee but is managing to hobble along fine on it today.
Today we are meeting for lunch to celebrate Bob´s birthday (which is tomorrow) before heading to the airport for our journey home. Fingers crossed that we arrive with all our luggage this time!!!!!
Some messages from the group:
Happy birthday to Jenny. 23 on 23rd February from Mum! Heather
Having an amazing time! Miss you lots. Love you Claire xxxxx
To all at St Martins school. Patsy Pig is having a great time, fishing for Pirana, visiting a volcano and canoeing. Home soon. Jayne Wilson
Hello to everyone, having an awesome time. See you soon. Fran
Great fun in the jungle. See you soon. Mike
Best Wishes
Sara
