Belem: The End of the Journey

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 10/Jun/2008

Latitude: -1.537901

Longitude: -50.471191

Posted from: Belem
I've just walked into the vast expanse of water that is the Atlantic Ocean to give my last piece to camera of the whole shoot. I collapsed into the water, exhausted and somewhat lost for words.

At the end of the Amazon

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 10/Jun/2008

Latitude: -1.537901

Longitude: -50.471191

Posted from: Belem
Bruce contemplates the end of his epic journey down the Amazon

To Bruce and the Amazon

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 10/Jun/2008

Latitude: -1.537901

Longitude: -50.471191

Posted from: Belem
We've done it. We've reached the port of Belem, the gateway of the Amazon, where the mighty river finally meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing the Home Straight

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 07/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
We're back on the Amazon on the final leg of the journey.

The Last Goodbye

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 06/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
Bruce contemplates the end of his epic journey with the Kayapo

Discussing the Kayapo cause

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 05/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
Bruce talks with Banhire about the time he travelled outside his group and met other indigenous groups.

Machetes and Panties

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 04/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
I wondered what woke me, as it started again. Like a drunk on a moonlit backstreet the wail began. A Kayopo elder was calling the tribe to dance.

Forget the Foreplay

Author: Christina Daniels

Published on: 04/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
To the untrained eye, it was a great deal of chanting in a large circle, men, women and children, sometimes around a fire.

Kayapo Cures

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 04/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
We're on the final main shoot of the series, staying with the Kayapo Indigenous People on their reserve in the south of Para state.

Land under threat

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 03/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
Bruce takes a walk with the Kayapo, to see how their land is under threat from encroaching cattle farms.

The Kayapo Fight

Author: Christina Daniels

Published on: 03/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
The Kayapo are known as a warrior Indian tribe and now, more than ever, they're having to fight to preserve their land as cattle ranchers encroach further and further into Indian territory to make way for pasture. While we were there, they took us up the hill close to their reservation. From here, they showed us just how much land close to their reservation had been turned to pasture.

Hammock havoc

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 02/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
Some Kayapo children give Bruce advice on avoiding sunburn...

Learning to speak Kayapo

Author: Christina Daniels

Published on: 02/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Posted from: Krinu
I've only managed to learn a few words so far in Kayapo, but they've taken me out of the realms of desperate hand gestures!

Bodypainting with the Kayapo

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 01/Jun/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
Bruce and the crew take part in traditional Kayapo bodypainting.

Arrival in Krinu

Author: Christina Daniels

Published on: 30/May/2008

Latitude: -5.861939

Longitude: -50.471191

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Krinu
We've arrived at the Kayapo village of Krinu. It's my first time staying with an Indian tribe. We got here at dusk, a magical time for the light, catching the straw and wooden huts on the outskirts of the vast dusty circle they're arranged around. It's an impressive space.

Anti-slavery raid

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 28/May/2008

Latitude: -5.397273

Longitude: -49.152832

Posted from: Maraba
Bruce joins the Government anti-slavery unit on a raid and finds some farm workers trapped in debt bondage.

Gunning for a celebration

Author: Christina Daniels

Published on: 26/May/2008

Latitude: -5.397273

Longitude: -49.152832

Posted from: Maraba
So I turned 35 in the third most dangerous city in Para State. Twenty deaths per weekend apparently. I dread to think what happens in the first and second place town!

A Woman's Place

Author: Christina Daniels

Published on: 24/May/2008

Latitude: -5.441022

Longitude: -49.130859

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Maraba

Nothing like lunch with a cowboy to take women's lib back a few centuries...

A Cry for War

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 23/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Altamira

There's a real buzz around town at the moment. One thousand indigenous Indians have just arrived on a fleet of beaten-up buses for a massive protest against a proposed dam on the Xingu River. It's amazing to see all the warriors in full tribal costume hanging around town. Both men and women carry machetes or clubs, and as we discovered on the first day of the protest they are not afraid to use them.

Rodeo Retail

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 20/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Altamira

We've just spent two weeks filming in Altamira, a cattle and logging town on the Xingu river. The day before leaving we had the afternoon off and we set out on a group shopping trip, making an instant beeline for the best cowboy shop in town. The shop had a full size plastic horse on the pavement outside and inside was packed from floor to ceiling with everything you need for life out on the range.

Gunpoint Land Grab

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 20/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Altamira

We are filming in an area called The Middle Land in the Brazilian state of Para, a lawless frontier zone where the battle for the Amazon is at its most intense. Land-grabbing is rife here: false documents, intimidation and violence are the methods used by the land-grabbers, who force communities off their land at gunpoint and lay claim to their territory.

Soy Export

Author: Christina Daniels

Published on: 19/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Altamira

We've been filming soy ports today, used by some of the largest cultivators of soy in the world. The cultivation of soy in the Amazon has been blamed for being one of the biggest factors in the deforestation of the Amazon. It comes a close second to cattle ranching.

Gauchos and Hamburgers

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 18/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Altamira

It was looking grim. Heron, our French Sound Recordist, has the most wonderful sense of humour. He has kept me in stitches for days. It was looking grim because at this moment his humour had been replaced by a growl that only a Frenchman can growl. All I had done was sink our crew 4x4 up to its axles in sand - having just crossed a river via some bits of wood cunningly disguised as a bridge.

Fear, Crime and Ginger Tea

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 17/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: 2 hours drive from Altamira
We had an amazing day's filming yesterday. We flew by helicopter over the forest with IBAMA, the Brazilian environment police, looking for evidence of illegal logging activity from the air.

Cattle branding

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 15/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By helicoptor

Posted from: Altamira
Bruce is shown how to brand cattle by a young farmer.

Trekking on horseback

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 15/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By helicoptor

Posted from: Altamira
Bruce treks on horseback to another farm to help inoculate the cattle.

Bucking Bronco

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 14/May/2008

Latitude: -3.118576

Longitude: -52.207031

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Altamira We are in cattle country. In this part of Brazil, vast areas of rainforest are being cleared to make way for cattle pasture, as thousands of entrepreneurs flood into the area taking advantage of cheap land and good rainfall to make very healthy profits. The cattle industry is booming here, making Brazil the biggest exporter of beef in the world.

Beware of Amazon magic

Author: Christina Daniels

Published on: 09/May/2008

Latitude: -2.328460

Longitude: -54.755859

Next stage of the journey: By boat

We're travelling down the Amazon River. It's dusk and pockets of sunlight shoot out from the clouds. As we travel downriver, we see the ribeirinhos, the families that live at the edge of the water, in their small wooden houses, always two or three cows and never less than five children running around.

Sex and the Canopy

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 04/May/2008

Latitude: -2.893556

Longitude: -60.211756

Next stage of the journey: By boat

During one of the Seven Days, God decided to get to grips with planting trees. He spent most of the morning sprinkling a few here, and planting a few there. He covered most of the world with them.

A White Knuckle Jungle Climb

Author: Solange Welch

Published on: 03/May/2008

Latitude: -2.893556

Longitude: -60.211756

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

It's 7:30am and I've already had one of the most exhilarating and terrifying experiences of my life. If I do nothing else today I will still go to bed with a feeling of accomplishment. I could probably be a bum for a whole month and feel no guilt.

Close encounters of the venomous kind

Author: Raquel Toniolo

Published on: 02/May/2008

Latitude: -2.893556

Longitude: -60.211756

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Finally we'll spend some time in the jungle. There is nothing like to be feeling all the heat and humidity amongst the trees, getting dirty observing and being observed by other creatures. I LOVE IT!

Meeting Angelina

Author: Raquel Toniolo

Published on: 02/May/2008

Latitude: -2.893556

Longitude: -60.211756

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Very exciting, we are hitting the end of our journey and this morning we've headed north of Manaus to a Biological Reserve, called Cueiras. It belongs to INPA (National Institute for Research in the Amazon).

Catapulted into the Canopy

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 01/May/2008

Latitude: -2.893556

Longitude: -60.211756

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Bruce is with two 'arbonaughts' (expert tree climbers James and Ollie) from the UK, trying to get a rope into the tree so he can spend the night up in the canopy.

Man shot in mine

Author: James Smith

Published on: 23/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold Mine, Grota Rica

Today we all agreed it's time to leave. A man was shot this morning in a dispute over money. Everyone's talking about it. It's a salutary reminder of how lawless this place is.

Golden Ruin

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 23/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

The last day at the mine. Confused with the ritual of searching for right and wrong. Sometimes, simple observation is not enough.

Going underground

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 22/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Bruce enters the ground in search of gold.

Spider alert

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 22/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Bruce discovers a tarantula in the bedroom.

Clean water

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 21/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Bruce drinks from an unpolluted stream

Butterflies!

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 20/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Bruce admires wildlife of the Amazon

Is Gold Worth It?

Author: Raquel Toniolo

Published on: 19/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

We've been at this illegal gold mine for seven days now and day by day I feel more confused. I've always been against mining, I don't like gold and I can't see the point. Why is it that there has been forever this obsession with gold?

The Gold Search in Action

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 19/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

The earth is extracted and the water filtered in the search for gold.

Time for a break

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 18/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Bruce and his mining colleagues take a break from the search for gold.

It's a Dog's Life

Author: Solange Welch

Published on: 17/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

This evening Russia went down to the riverbank to meet her daughter who lives in the nearest town, Apui, 80km from the mine. It had been raining heavily the last few days and Russia was anxious because the road was bad and Sasha was already a few hours late.

Striking it Rich in Strange Territory

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 16/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Probably the hardest thing I've ever filmed. Bouncing about on the back of a dilapidated truck on a dirt track oddly described as a highway. We were on our way to a gold mine and filming a conversation between Bruce and Dudu travelling along the Transamazon Highway.

She-wee

Author: Raquel Toniolo

Published on: 16/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Posted from: Gold Mine, Grota Rica Comfort for me is having a clean toilet to sit on.

Gold Fever

Author: James Smith

Published on: 16/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

I had thought 'gold rushes', where people flock to an area of wilderness in the hope of striking it rich, were long gone, replaced by large corporations using heavy machinery to dig up the precious ore. But the frenzied search for gold is happening right now in the Brazilian Amazon.

Garimpo hot pants

Author: Raquel Toniolo

Published on: 16/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Day three at the gold mine, I'm loving it but my God, I'm so tired.

Bruce follows the Gold Rush

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 16/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

First impressions of the mining community

Bruce travels the Transamazonica

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 16/Apr/2008

Latitude: -6.702500

Longitude: -60.127500

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Gold mine, Grota Rica

Bruce travels along the Transamazonica highway

Travelling the Transamazonica Trail

Author: Solange Welch

Published on: 14/Apr/2008

Latitude: -7.183333

Longitude: -59.883333

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Apui

For me this is where the journey really began. The moment Raquel and I sat in the back of a pickup truck with our cowboy hats on and started travelling east on the Transamazonica Highway on our way to the gold mine. The precise moment in fact was when the smooth tarmac section of the highway, which cuts through Apui, gave way to the dirt road with a sudden thud of the back wheels.

The Gold Rush

Author: Raquel Toniolo

Published on: 14/Apr/2008

Latitude: -7.183333

Longitude: -59.883333

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Apui

I have had four hours sleep. I spent the night packing and chatting with Sol: a little bonding session.

Cowboy Bruce

Author: James Smith

Published on: 14/Apr/2008

Latitude: -7.183333

Longitude: -59.883333

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Apui

We're on our way to a remote gold mine, so we stopped in a frontier town to stock up on supplies. Shopping in one-horse towns like this is always a lot of fun. The hardware stores have everything you'd ever need in a remote place, from machetes, rope and gas-stoves to essential foodstuffs like chili sauce and crackers.

The Wealth of the Amazon

Author: Raquel Toniolo

Published on: 13/Apr/2008

Latitude: -3.031841

Longitude: -60.045691

Next stage of the journey: By air

Posted from: Manaus

I've been to Manaus a few times before; a land full of contrasts that always fascinated me. You may think it's jargon, but it is really in the heart of the Amazon. It's the main gateway to jungle locations.

'Working' round the clock!

Author: Raquel Toniolo

Published on: 12/Apr/2008

Latitude: -3.031841

Longitude: -60.045691

Next stage of the journey: By air

Posted from: Manaus, Rio Negro

These days hardly feel like work - I've never had so much fun in a shoot. Three days with our character and host Tony, and I'm shattered, not because of work, but because this boy is a party maniac. I'm 31 and almost can't keep up with the schedule.

Swimming with the River Dolphin

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 12/Apr/2008

Latitude: -3.031841

Longitude: -60.045691

Next stage of the journey: By air

Posted from: Manaus - Rio Negro

Today was a recce day with new Director James Smith. He is hilarious. We've just completed 72 hours of non-stop partying with a Brazilian eco-millionaire and his beautiful friends. We've fallen into random swimming pools at 4am and danced on the back of pick-up trucks as the dawn broke.

Dodging Vultures above the Urban Amazon

Author: James Smith

Published on: 10/Apr/2008

Latitude: -3.031841

Longitude: -60.045691

Next stage of the journey: By air

Posted from: Manaus

When you're working abroad, it's very important you hire the right people. This is especially true if that person is a helicopter pilot. Yesterday, we met ours for the first time.

Arriving in Manaus

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 10/Apr/2008

Latitude: -3.031841

Longitude: -60.045691

Next stage of the journey: By air

Posted from: Manaus

Bruce arrives in Manaus and prepares himself for the Amazonion Rich List.

The elusive pirarucu

Author: Marina de Brito

Published on: 28/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By air

Posted from: Jacare

The pirarucu is the largest scaled fresh water fish in the world. It is emblematic of the Mamiraua Institute because of the successful management programme they have implemented, which has increased the stocks of this once endangered fish very successfully in the reserve. It has become emblematic of our shoot too because for days we have been trying to catch one.

Life on the shoot

Author: Marina De Brito

Published on: 27/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By air

Posted from: Jacare

Of all the travel shoots I have been on this has been one of the most fun. It could be Matt's calm, patience and gentle direction, or Keith's super agreeable mood and hilarious jokes, or maybe it's Zubin's mischievous streak.

Searching for caiman

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 26/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896664

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamirauá.

Bruce sets out to collect caiman

A Tough Kitten

Author: Marina De Brito

Published on: 25/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Jacare

We all loved the second community we visited, but Bruce became attached to one particular member of the community - a small black kitten.

A great catch

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 25/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896664

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamirauá.

Bruce hooks a pirarucu

New places, new people

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 22/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamiraua

Bruce arrives in the community of San Fransisco de Boia

Happy Birthday Bruce

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 17/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamiraua

Bruce begins birthday celebrations...

Padre Volnei

Author: Marina De Brito

Published on: 17/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamirauá.

Catholic Padre Volnei announced his arrival at Sao Raimundo de Jaraua by loudly hooting his horn on board his little boat.

Waiting for fish

Author: Marina De Brito

Published on: 15/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamirauá

We went out this morning to go fishing with Jorge from São Raimundo de Jarauá, not just for any fish but for the largest, scaled, fresh water fish in the world.

Crocodilia alert

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 15/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamiraua.

Crocodilia are called to Bruce's dugout canoe.

Amazon Skies

Author: Marina De Brito

Published on: 14/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamiraua

The sky in the Amazon changes with every passing hour and it never ceases to amaze us. Especially sunrise and sunset, these are times when we all rush to the front or the back of our boat and start clicking away with our cameras.

On the trail of the Amazon's biggest fish

Author: Matt Brandon

Published on: 13/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Jaraua

Mamiraua is beautiful. 90% of the reserve is flooded by the end of the wet season in May - the water rises about 15 metres. Everyone and everything here is ready to adapt to the change.

Fish Stock

Author: Marina De Brito

Published on: 13/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.89667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Sao Raimundo do Jaraua in the Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamiraua.

We have been here for three days now. This is a small community of about 20 wooden houses on the banks of a river channel called Jarauá.

Floating through Ages

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 13/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Rio Japura

The Priest was right. He's a Catholic and entitled to be I suppose. The Catholic faith is massively on the resurgence here. Maybe they all believe his theories on mosquitoes. Not a part of my body is munch-free.

Fenix from the Flames

Author: Matt Brandon

Published on: 10/Mar/2008

Latitude: -2.896667

Longitude: -64.944167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Mamiraua nr Jaraua

Four months ago today was a big day for me, but I don't remember too much about it.

Embarrassing comfort

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 10/Mar/2008

Latitude: -3.220833

Longitude: -64.804167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Alvaraes

Bruce worries about his reputation as an expeditioner

The Perfect Shoot?

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 10/Mar/2008

Latitude: -3.220833

Longitude: -64.804167

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Alvaraes - Rio Japura

Can't wait to get off this river taxi - and its lesson on one of the dark sides of my favourite place. I wonder what became of those three hopeless horrified men in their chains. Fifteen years in some rank jail ahead.

Cocaine Raid

Author: Marina de Brito

Published on: 09/Mar/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Tabatinga

Our film started on a river boat on the 8th of March. This is a passenger boat that takes some 200 people up and down the Amazon River between Tabatinga on the Brazil/Colombia border and Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas.

The dark side of the Amazon

Author: Keith Schofield

Published on: 09/Mar/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Tabatinga

I've never blogged before. It won't be easy following some of the most wonderful writing you will have read so far. I prefer to be quiet behind my camera and film stuff - like quiet and shy people do - and leave the writing to those who are gifted at it.

Public transport

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 08/Mar/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Tabatinga

Bruce hangs out on a passenger boat.

The MUST-HAVE pet for 2008

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 07/Mar/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Tabatinga

Bruce finds some surprisingly colourful chicks.

Axe swings in soggy socks

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 02/Mar/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.193710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Logging Camp, Atalaia

Today we were to follow the process of how the loggers move the logs.

Chugged to a stop

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 01/Mar/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.193710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Logging Camp nr Atalaia

Today we joined the loggers for some tree felling. It was a long walk into the jungle again and then once a tree was selected it was all hands on deck to clear an area for it to land.

Log Spinning

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 29/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.193710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Loggers' camp nr Atalaia

The next day it's up early and into the jungle for a long sweaty walk. It's pretty tricky as we cross streams and ditches by balancing our way along narrow branches.

Night in the logging camp

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 28/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.193710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Atalaia

The first night at the logging camp. Around the hut it's a mudbath due to heavy rains and now it's stopped the mozzies are out in force.

Language is no barrier

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 28/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.139710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Atalaia

Bruce and Raymondo bond in the forest, despite a broken chainsaw.

Arrival at the logging camp

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 28/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.193710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Atalaia

One last adjustment to the camera and we swing it out over the water on our 25' crane to film some passing shots of the boat.

Logging

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 27/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.139710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Atalaia

Bruce arrives at the loggers' camp

It's a long way up

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 26/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.193710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Atalaia

After a long boat ride the river was becoming narrower and Philippe guided us to a small encampment. From here we hiked for 40 minutes into the jungle and arrived at an enormous tree stretching high up through the canopy.

Avoiding the stench of feet

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 25/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.369690

Longitude: -70.193710

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Atalaia

We have resumed our boat journey to the remote logging camp and didn't quite make it in daylight today so have pulled into the riverbank to sleep the night.

A Morning with Missionaries

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 22/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.370556

Longitude: -72.580000

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Vida Nova

We've just had a very civilised breakfast with a missionary couple in their beautiful home in the village of Vida Nova, a tiny village deep in the heart of Vale do Javari. Paul and Cheryl Rich are an American couple in their sixties who have lived among the Marubo people for almost 30 years.

Leaving the Marubo

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 21/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

A skeleton team leave Parana

False alarm

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 21/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

After the log ceremony we recouped back at our portakabin for a break. Pete was feeling a little better but I was feeling terrible with headaches and sneezing.

Dropping Like Flies

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 21/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

The extreme environment of the Amazon is taking a heavy toll on the crew. Yesterday our highly talented cameraman Matt Norman tested positive for malaria and had to be evacuated to the nearest town for medical help.

The Last of the Marubo Shaman

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 21/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

We've just spent a week filming with the Marubo people, the most powerful tribe in Vale do Javari, a vast indigenous reserve in the far West of Brazil.

Matt evacuated with suspected malaria

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 20/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

The fourth medical evacuation in full swing

A dangerous diagnosis

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 20/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

Matt prepares for evacuation as he is diagnosed with malaria

The Marubo Shaman Ceremony

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 19/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

An amazing sunset disappeared behind the longhouse while inside a night of Marubo line dancing was just kicking off.

Ready for action

Author: Pete Eason

Published on: 19/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

The crew are painted as Marubo warriors.

Making the Marubo Drum

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 19/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

While in the Marubo village we have set up our camp inside a portakabin-style hut that they use as a school. We are of great entertainment to the village and there are always a few Marubo who are happy to sit, chill and smile at us.

A Time to Dance

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 19/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

The crew join in a dance in the Marubo longhouse.

Breakfast with the Marubo

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 18/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

Bruce enjoys another meal in the longhouse

Scorching Hot Wax

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 18/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

As I'm writing this I've just broken into a secret stash of dry roasted peanuts that have been traveling in a camera box since Peru.

The never-ending lunch

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 17/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.656389

Longitude: -72.580000

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

Bruce enjoys plentiful food with the Marubo

Bruce pays the price

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 17/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.656389

Longitude: -72.580000

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

The after effects of the ant sting

On the trail of stinging ants

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 16/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

The team head to an ant ceremony that involves the poisonous tucandeira ant.

Ant attacks

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 16/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

It's very humid already today and spent this morning with a group of villagers on the trail in the search of tucandeira ants. These are to be used in a ceremony later today when the men of the village go through a painful ritual.

The Bug Game

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 16/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

The Marubo village stands high up on a bank overlooking the river and it's from there that I'm shooting a time-lapse shot of a stunning sunset expanding over the bend in the river and the jungle beyond.

Malaria and Marubo

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 16/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

Today was very eventful. We woke up early at the missionary outpost to find that Alaina, our anthropologist and Marubo expert, who had only joined us the evening before, had developed flu-like symptoms and shivers.

Anaconda alert

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 15/Feb/2008

Latitude: -7.468333

Longitude: -72.385278

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Parana

Bruce admires the Amazonian wildlife

Boats, Bugs and Breakdowns

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 15/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Whilst the Amazon and its tributaries may flow smoothly and steadily, you can be fairly guaranteed that trying to film here won't.

The Art of the Passenger

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 15/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Once we left the Matis village we are back onboard our three boats again to travel further up river to the head waters with the goal of visiting the extremely remote Marubo tribe.

High Shots

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 13/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Matt sets up the jib - but isn't quite prepared for the audience

Mornings with the Matis

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 13/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Bruce spends the morning with Tumi's family. Tumi's daughter and grand-daughter, featured in the video, are both ill.

Helping hands

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 13/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

In 2006 Bruce stayed with Tumi and his family while making Tribe. He's back at their home again, helping out with the daily chores.

The Matis Medical Emergency

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 12/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Today I moved into Tumi's house. Tumi was my host when we made the Tribe episode of the Matis and in most ways it is great to see Tumi and his family again - they have been really welcoming and pleased to see me, and the children have grown up loads.

Meeting the Matis

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 12/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Rob describes the crew's arrival at the Matis village

Parry's tactics

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 12/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Bruce enjoys some female company

Family ties

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 10/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Rob shares family photos and stories with the Matis

A Time for Tribe

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 10/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Bruce and the Matis chief Txema plan a viewing of the Tribe programme about the Matis

Meet the Marmoset

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 10/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Bruce makes a new furry friend

Lessons in filming

Author: Pete Eason

Published on: 09/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Bruce shows off the team's kit to a fascinated audience.

Return to the Matis

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 09/Feb/2008

Latitude: -5.806111

Longitude: -71.439444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Aurelio

Bruce arrives in Aurelio, the Matis village visited for the series Tribe in 2006

The Expedition Library

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 07/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

I was asked recently what I was reading in a photograph, so I thought I'd list some of my reading material for your amusement. It's a bit telling I'm afraid. I'm going to try and get the rest of the team to do the same.

A Blessing and a Curse

Author: Leticia Valverdes

Published on: 06/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

Being one of the two bilingual people on a shoot is hard. You are the one who has to be constantly aware of what's going on, in both camps, and non-stop translating what's necessary to make things work. You have to know a bit of both sides culturally, and even emotionally.

Cross-dressing for beginners

Author: Rob Sullivan

Published on: 05/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

All the crew are feeling very hungover again today after a fourth night of heavy drinking and dancing at carnival. The Brazilians certainly know how to party, and I'm proud to say we've been holding our own and keeping up rather well.

My (over) stretchy dress

Author: Leticia Valverdes

Published on: 05/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

I should have know what was coming when Rob praised my long black dress with its pattern of colourful flowers. He had a vision and he would not let go of it.

The pace of the Amazon

Author: Leticia Valverdes

Published on: 04/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

In the Amazon I feel very English at times. Saturday is the first carnival night. They said 8pm and there we were - fed, cleaned and waiting for carnival to "happen" - whatever is to happen, we just want it to happen in time. Ah...the pace of the Amazon really tests our nerves.

Beauty Queens

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 02/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

The big shoot tonight will be following Bruce as he enters the Benjamin Constant Carnival Beauty Pageant. Rob and I arrive early evening to film a time-lapse shot of the arena as preparations are underway and the dusky sunset turns to night.

Football in drag

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 02/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

We filmed Bruce walking around the corner to the Bloco football match and we were met by quite a sight. A loud cheer went up to greet us from the friendliest bunch of Brazillian men who were halfway through putting on their dresses, wigs and makeup.

Suits you, Sir...

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 02/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

Another ordinary day in Brazil. Isn't it?

Easy Rider

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 01/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.417614

Longitude: -70.037842

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Benjamin Constant

We are back on the river today, which feels great. It's just a 20-minute ride to the small riverside town of Benjamin Constant where we will be spending the next four days filming carnival. Brazil is about to go carnival crazy so it should be a fun shoot ahead.

Brasil does not know Brasil

Author: Leticia Valverdes

Published on: 01/Feb/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Tabatinga

Today we are leaving Tabatinga to go to the little town of Benjamin Constant where we will experience a carnival. It will be a new experience for us, perhaps even for myself as a Brazilian; carnival takes many different forms in the different parts of the country.

He's got knives...and he knows how to use them.

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 31/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Tabatinga

Today the new production team of Rob, Laura and Leti arrived in the border town of Tabatinga. It's an unusual place in that despite being tiny it has one half of the town in Brazil while the other half is in Columbia. They arrived pretty exhausted after three long plane rides and were greeted by a torrential thunderstorm and an electricity blackout in our hotel.

Drunken football in drag

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 31/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Tabatinga

We've a new team just arrived and Rob Sullivan is our new leader. How nice to have some new blood. Just like Matt at the beginning and Steve thereafter, Rob is now directing. I've only met him once before at a good friend's wedding but we got on instantly.

Border Towns

Author: Laura Santana

Published on: 29/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Tabatinga

We´ve arrived in Tabatinga after a simply mammoth journey. Three planes, three time zones and 24 hours after we set off we (Rob, Leti and myself) are greeted by the superman himself - no not Bruce - but our incredible fixer Marco.

Surfing

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 29/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Tabatinga

I heard from Steve today. Apparently he's just had the best few days surfing imaginable on the coast of Peru as a break on his long journey home to the madness of the office in Cardiff. It has given me a smile all day to think of him out in the water.

VIVA BRAZIL

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 26/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.2525

Longitude: -69.938056

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Tabatinga

We left the buzzing city of Iquitos at 06.00am this morning having said goodbye to Steve, Willow and Angel the night before. Bruce, Pete and I are joined by the new fixer Marco for a day-long boat ride across the border into Brazil to start film three.

A Conversation with a Snake

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 25/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Iquitos airport

Well, we've finished film two and so we're officially a third of the way through the series. It's been bloody tough but also pretty fantastic. We've seen and filmed some amazing things, made some incredible friends and passed through some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.

The Ayahuasca Ceremony

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 22/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Ayahuasca Retreat outside of Iquitos

Bruce takes ayahuasca under the guidence of Percy Garcia Lozano, a shaman trained in its use.

Bruce prepares to take Ayahuasca

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 22/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Ayahuasca retreat outside of Iquitos

Bruce goes for his ritual wash before the ceremony

The heavens open

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 22/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Ayahuasca retreat outside of Iquitos

There's a sudden downpour as Bruces prepares to take Ayahuasca

Mother Ayahuasca versus Bruce Parry

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 22/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Iquitos

My ayahuasca experience last night was one of the more humbling nights of my life. Remarkably, it seems, my ego decided to take on Mother Ayahuasca in some sort of a battle.

The journey through Peru

Author: Willow Murton

Published on: 21/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Ayahuasca Retreat Nr Iquitos

Standing under the dark night, washed in floral water and freshened after the day's walk to the ayahuasca retreat, this is one of those rare moments of reflection on a shoot.

Walking the Plank

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 21/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

The team attempt a river crossing

Preparing for the Ayahuasca

Author: Willow Murton

Published on: 21/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Iquitos

The team survey their reduced kit, before heading to an Ayahuasca Retreat.

Amazon at Last

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 20/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Iquitos

We're on the Amazon at last! Even though we've travelled well over a thousand miles since we started this epic journey, the river has always been called something else - Apurimac, Ene, Tambo and so on.

Welcome to the streets of Iquitos

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 20/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Iquitos

Bruce arrives on the street of Iquitos

Devastation and Contamination

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 18/Jan/2008

Latitude: -13.862160

Longitude: -71.897171

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: San Lorenzo

We're back in San Lorenzo again on the way out of Achuar land at last. We've filmed the end of our story and are on our way to the next.

A Crude Awakening

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 18/Jan/2008

Latitude: -13.862160

Longitude: -71.897171

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: San Lorenzo

Yesterday we drove to a small group of houses next to a small river and spent the night in a medical portacabin. The sleeping options were pretty limited.

Polluted Currents

Author: Willow Murton

Published on: 18/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.816139

Longitude: -76.450250

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Andoas

All the long days on the river and the ever- changing logistics and rainclouds above seem worth it today. What a perverse claim to make as we look out on the oil-spilt banks of a stream.

Pete settles in

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 18/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.816139

Longitude: -76.450250

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Pete settles in while Bruce takes the best seat on the boat

The aftermath of an oilspill

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 17/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.561750

Longitude: -76.193444

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Jose Oliya

An oil spill near Jose Oliya, in the Peruvian jungle

Oil Spill

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 17/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.561750

Longitude: -76.193444

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Jose Oliya

Bruce travels to an oil spill with Guevara, an enviromental monitor for the Achuar.

Stuck in a rut

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 16/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.816139

Longitude: -76.450250

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Andoas

The team get stuck

Death Row and a Mud Hole

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 16/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.816139

Longitude: -76.450250

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Andoas

After days of travelling in tiny boats we make it to the grotty settlement of Andoas. We arrive late and are staying in a hostel made of plywood, as it's the only accommadation in town.

Bruce comes to Willow's rescue

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 16/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.816139

Longitude: -76.450250

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Andoas

Bruce's First Aid comes in handy again

Vengeance in an Indifferent Town

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 15/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.816139

Longitude: -76.450250

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Andoas

Were still here, stuck in Andoas on a grey wet day in January. The vehicle turned up from Nuevo Jerusalem at about two this afternoon, five hours late.

Arriving in Andoas

Author: Willow Murton

Published on: 14/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.816139

Longitude: -76.450250

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Andoas

The team arrive at the petrol town of Andoas.

Heal the World (I'll tell you later)

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 14/Jan/2008

Latitude: -2.813139

Longitude: -76.450250

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Andoas

We're in Andoas at last. It's been a mission to get here, as always. First the oil company agreed we could fly up here on one of their planes. Then they decided we couldn't (we later heard one of their platforms had been peacefully occupied by the Achuar so they didn't want us around).

Korma Conspiracy

Author: Willow Murton

Published on: 13/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.648972

Longitude: -76.591139

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Ushpayacu

There is something conspiratorial about gathering outside the hostel tonight. Hunched over and concentrated, the crew sit and eye each other with suspicious hunger, each clasping their own chosen packet of ration food.

Boat Politics

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 13/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.423090

Longitude: -74.014893

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Somewhere between Andoas and San Lorenzo

It's great to be off again after our break and cool to meet up with our new team member Pete. He seems like a right laugh and though we all miss Zubin it's great to have an influx of fresh blood.

Drowning and Calling for Help

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 12/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.423090

Longitude: -74.014893

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: River Maranon between Yurimaguas and San Lorenzo.

We're back on the river again, going back to San Lorenzo, the ugly town on the banks of the Maranon. It's cold and grey and we're all wrapped up in Goretex and fleece as if we were on the Wye, not a tributary of the Amazon just south of the equator.

Wet Welcoming

Author: Pete Eason

Published on: 11/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.4232090

Longitude: -74.014892

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:River Maranon between Yurimaguas and San Lorenzo

My first day on the river started well enough. As we clambered onto our 25 foot aluminium boat, my now new chums gallantly offered me the front seat. How thoughtful - as a sound recordist I rather appreciated being furthest away from the outboard motor.

Finding Ron

Author: Willow Murton

Published on: 11/Jan/2008

Latitude: -4.149361

Longitude: -73.489944

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Iquitos

Ron told me to meet him at two o'clock at Ari's Burger. I was meeting him to find out about ayahuasca in Iquitos and to plan how Bruce could experience it.

Love in a Cold Climate

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 17/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

We left the Achuar village of Wijint with not the greatest of send offs, just two small boys waving at us - and they were there to take a pee.

Happiness in an Ugly Town

Author: Almudena

Published on: 16/Dec/2007

Latitude: -13.862160

Longitude: -71.897171

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: San Lorenzo

I'm in the little jungle town of San Lorenzo. The electric light is coming on and off after a storm so I hope I won't lose what I write.

Twenty- eight Hours of Sleepless Memories

Author: Almudena

Published on: 16/Dec/2007

Latitude: -13.862160

Longitude: -71.897171

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: San Lorenzo

We stopped for a couple of hours during the night for Gerson to rest after we collided with another log and we had to maneuver to get it off the point of the boat. I was lying down with my barrel and the kicking kid listening to the sounds of the jungle and somebody snoring

Farewell to Wijint

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 15/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

The team bid farewell to the nuns of Wijint

The school disco and Matt N's boudoir!

Author: Zubin Sarosh

Published on: 15/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

At the moment I am sitting in our camp in the Achuar village of Wijint, we have been given the use of one of the thatched open-sided houses that are typical here.

Things Get Better

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 13/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

We are making progress. Bruce is living in a house, not with Saris, but with an inscrutable hunter called Mantu and his family, Saris (Silas Marner) had second thoughts after his daughters told him they were scared of Bruce and didn't want him there. Poor guy, he looked dreadfully embarrassed.

Christmas Reflections

Author: Zubin Sarosh

Published on: 12/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint.

Following Matt's return home it was time to regroup and carry on with the filming. Steve Robinson, his boss, came out to replace him and we recommenced our journey down the river.

Huge Catfish, Barbed Stingray and The Black Hole

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 12/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

I've just emerged from my sick bed after 36hours of sweating, stomach cramps and violent diarrhoea! Some nasty little beast got into my gut and wreaked havoc. Unfortunately this is not a great place nor the time to be ill.

Ayahuasca with the Achuar

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 11/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

Today is my big day for searching for a vision. I can't express how important it is for me to get this right. I've done a lot of research on this subject and I'm facing the day with mixed feelings.

Contact Impossible

Author: Almudena

Published on: 11/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

It's difficult here. The film we are making is much more like a typical Tribe film so we need to wait a lot longer to build relationships with people, in just a short space of time. So for this reason we're not moving on straight away, we're going to remain here to film.

Poison Fishing

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 11/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint.

We got up pretty early to trek to the fishing spot. It was a bit of an epic trek! There was loads to carry: I had a basket full of leaves weighing about 20kg, which I'd strapped to my head and we had the massive Z1 camera

Bruce hopes for visions

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 11/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint.

Bruce prepares to take Ayahuasca

Turtle Swims to Freedom

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 11/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

Today we have been invited by Manto to go fishing with him and some other Achuar from the community. Zubin is so looking forward to this. He's been wanting to catch a fish on the Amazon since we started this adventure and at every opportunity we have either been too busy filming or the boat has been travelling too fast.

To catch a fish

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 11/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint.

Watch Bruce preparing for a fishing trip with the Achuar people and attempting to spear a fish for his dinner

Taking a dip

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 10/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

Plunge into the Amazon with Bruce...

A Welcome from Warriors

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 09/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint.

Well, we got here at last, but haven't had the smoothest of rides so far. The Achuar seem pretty underwhelmed to see us and so far we're having some trouble working out how to make this film.

House hunting

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 08/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

Bruce looks for a house, and finds a hunter

Planning hallucinogenic visions

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 08/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

We're in Wijint and having a bit of a hard time again. It took us nearly three days on the boats to get here, on smaller and smaller rivers, travelling 15 hours a day and leaving before dawn to arrive after dark.

Zubin's birthday treat

Author: Zubin Sarosh

Published on: 07/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

Zubin's overwhelmed by his birthday surprise

Bruce meets the elders

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 07/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Wijint

Bruce meets the elders of the Achuar village to discuss the team's stay

Three Days on a Boat

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 07/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: On the way to Wijint

I never want to see a boat again in my life. We've been on this bloody boat for three days now and still haven't got there. The river is low and strewn with fallen trees. And we damaged the propeller on the first day so progress is painfully slow.

Back to school

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 06/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

Bruce admires the work of the local school children

Time for singing

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 06/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

Hear the Peruvian national anthem of the Achuar

Filming with time constraints

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 06/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from:Wijint

Bruce explains the team's difficulties

A Dose of Swiss Efficiency

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 05/Dec/2007

Latitude: -13.862160

Longitude: -71.897171

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: San Lorenzo.

We're on our way to visit the Achuar people, way up near the border with Ecuador. We left Pucallpa today on a charter flight, with a very efficient Swiss gentleman called Rudolph at the controls. He wore long socks with his shorts and had a neatly shaven head, which we thought was a good sign

A long way to get permission

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 05/Dec/2007

Latitude: -3.202500

Longitude: -77.063889

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Wijint

Travelling up river to the Achuar village, Wijint

Arrival in San Lorenzo

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 03/Dec/2007

Latitude: -13.862160

Longitude: -71.897171

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: San Lorenzo

The team arrive in San Lorenzo by light aircraft

Aliya joins the team

Author: Aliya Ryan

Published on: 03/Dec/2007

Latitude: -13.862160

Longitude: -71.897171

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: San Lorenzo

We have just arrived in San Lorenzo. I have been here many times since I start working with the Achuar three years ago, but the trip never fails to amaze me.

Film One Nearly Done

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 28/Nov/2007

Latitude: -11.853333

Longitude: -73.941111

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Ashaninka Village near Catunga

We left Catunga this morning with armed Ronderos hanging off the back of the vehicles. But we reached the river without incident, loading up some fast boats, said goodbye to half our camp team and set off into the unknown. The river here is called the Ene and it's prime coke country

Getting a Helping Hand

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 28/Nov/2007

Latitude: -11.853333

Longitude: -73.941111

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: An Ashaninka community near Catunga.

Steve and Matt receive plenty of help from the local children when filming.

Party Problems

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 27/Nov/2007

Latitude: -11.853333

Longitude: -73.941111

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Catunga

We're having to leave the Ashaninka at this village in Catunga because there's a big celebration going on in the village, which means a lot of outsiders are present. These outsiders don't want the Ashaninka showing us areas of land over which there is conflict, and they've said that if they do there will be trouble, so obviously we have to leave as the last thing we want is to endanger our hosts.

Amazon United F.C.

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 27/Nov/2007

Latitude: -11.853333

Longitude: -73.941111

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Catunga

We took to the pitch with some nervousness. Our opposition looked like they were taking this quite seriously - they even had football boots, which seemed unfair. It was hot and humid. We were playing football in the wet season, in a rainforest 12 degrees south of the equator.Fifteen minutes each way. This was going to be a nightmare.

An Unannounced Arrival

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 26/Nov/2007

Latitude: -11.853333

Longitude: -73.941111

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Catunga

This is one of the most dangerous places we'll visit on this journey, a place entirely beyond the rule of the law but if we are to follow the course of the Amazon River, then we have to come this way.

The Ashaninka in the Red Zone

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 25/Nov/2007

Latitude: -11.853333

Longitude: -73.941111

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Posted from: Catunga

We're in what is known as the RED ZONE, a place deemed so dangerous and difficult that the local enforcement agencies have given up on it

Farewell to Louisiana

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 24/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Louisiana.

Bruce and the team bid a final farewell to Louisiana

Blowing up the Bossa

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 23/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.766111

Longitude: -73.654722

Next stage of the journey: By boat

We had a great day today, out with the drugs police blowing up coca labs.

Police Raid on Cocaine Lab

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 23/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.766111

Longitude: -73.654722

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Today we have gained access to film the flip side of the cocaine story in Peru, the fight against the trade in cocaine by the police and army forces, who are in turn supported with US funding.

Bruce takes on a bossa

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 23/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.766111

Longitude: -73.654722

Next stage of the journey: By boat

Bruce excitedly prepares to blow up a bossa

Cocaine badlands

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 22/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.125264

Longitude: -76.816406

Next stage of the journey: By air

Posted from: Lima.

It's strange to be back in Peru so soon. I wasn't expecting to be here again for a while, but have come out to take over from Producer/Director Matt Brandon who fell seriously ill just over a week ago.

A Surreptitious Journey

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 13/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Louisiana

We await the possible go-ahead of a filming opportunity with illegal cocaine paste manufacturers. After lots of pacing and phone calls from Luis he finally gives us the thumbs- up.

Party in the Jungle

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 13/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from:Louisiana

12:30pm: Covered in sweat from the heavy work the workers take a break and are joined by some other members of the family who have brought them food. No kidding, this was by far the best food on the whole journery so far.

The Coca Pit

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 13/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Louisiana

7.20am : We walk 10minutes up through the woods and come to a small clearing with a wooden house. A very poor-looking mum and dad with six scraggly young children greet us.

An illegal coca base lab

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 13/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Today we went to a coca base lab, which is where coca leaves are turned into cocaine base. It's a highly illegal activity and the Peruvian Military and the American Drugs Enforcement Agency both run armed raids from helicopters and vehicles to find people doing this type of work.

Mealtime and a Machete

Author: Matt N

Published on: 10/Nov/2007

Latitude: -7.893672

Longitude: -74.745377

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Near San Francisco

We are looking a sorry sort of bunch in contrast to the young coca-collecting kids, who carry on in the stifling heat without one complaint.

Coca Harvest

Author: Matt N

Published on: 10/Nov/2007

Latitude: -7.893672

Longitude: -74.745377

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Near San Francisco

The mum and two of her smaller kids sit with the coca seed laid out in the shade and we film Bruce chatting with them and sharing some coca tea. Next Bruce helps Antonio in the process of laying out previously collected coca leaves to dry them in the sun.

Coca debates

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 10/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Near Louisiana.

Bruce has a tricky time harvesting coca leaves with Antonio's family

Time Out

Author: Matt B

Published on: 09/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Louisiana.

The trip so far has been incredible - the source of the Amazon, Rodolfo and his family, an epic trek, white-water rafting, and a lot more - but I'd be lying if I said that we didn't all enjoy a couple of nights in a hotel in Ayacucho and choosing food from a menu.

Magic Hour with the Coca Growers

Author: Matt N

Published on: 09/Nov/2007

Latitude: -7.893672

Longitude: -74.745377

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: San Francisco area

At about 4pm we all meet up and take a 30-minute drive to join up with a family of coca growers. It has been difficult for Luis to find a family who are happy for us to film them, as they are very aware that the growing of coca is controversial and they do not wish to get into trouble with their community.

Cloud Coca Land

Author: Matt N

Published on: 09/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: near Louisiana.

We wake early and Matt B, Zubin and I head off in the soft morning light to shoot some establishing shots of the area. We shoot these on the large HD camera with some great shots of the lush green, mountainous landscape.

Coca Concerns

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 09/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Louisiana.

Bruce expresses his fears over filming in coca country

The Shining Path

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 09/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Louisiana.

The impact of The Shining Path here in the eighties and nineties seems to have been terrible and violent, which is at odds with the beautiful, peaceful surroundings of the hacienda here at Louisiana.

Journey to the other San Francisco

Author: Matt N

Published on: 08/Nov/2007

Latitude: -7.893672

Longitude: -74.745377

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: en route to San Francisco

We leave early to hopefully avoid the roadblocks of the strike in a strict three-car convoy and within minutes each vehicle has been separated from the others. Today will be another long day with a 14-hour drive ahead of us. With no sign of barricades we escape the city for another day of careering around hairpin bends with epic drops.

U can't touch this!

Author: Matt N

Published on: 08/Nov/2007

Latitude: -12.678056

Longitude: -73.704167

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Louisiana

Luis, our multitalented fixer-translator-local producer, has pre-warned us that we should do our utmost to arrive at our destination before dark. This is because the region we are heading for is the primary cocaine producing area of Peru and is pretty much lawless. As we pass small shacks on the roadside the usual friendly smiles and waving disappears and instead we receive either hard stares of suspicion or unfriendly scowls.

On the Bandit Trail

Author: Matt N

Published on: 06/Nov/2007

Latitude: -13.885015

Longitude: -73.990775

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: Ayacucho

John, our fixer, is in our vehicle and says that the road ahead is notorious for bandits holding vehicles up at gunpoint. He says there are two roads to Ayacucho and to keep safe we should not take the left fork ahead as that's where the bandits hide ready for an ambush.

Bone shaking all the way to Ayacucho

Author: Matt N

Published on: 06/Nov/2007

Latitude: -13.885015

Longitude: -73.990775

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Posted from: en route to Ayacucho.

So we've got the all clear to make our journey into the Red Zone, which means that today will involve another two hour journey in a bumpy vehicle. Today is not Zubin's day as, highly inconveniently, he has the runs - not the best on a long drive like this.

Tooth Ache

Author: Matt N

Published on: 05/Nov/2007

Latitude: -13.642260

Longitude: -72.884087

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Today the rapids seemed to get even bigger. After lunch we reached one of the biggest, a grade 5+ called 'Tooth Ache', named after a large rock at the bottom that resembled a tooth. This was by far the most dangerous rapid to be tackled so a good recce was carried out first.

A White Water Philosophy

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 05/Nov/2007

Latitude: -13.642260

Longitude: -72.884087

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Today was by far the biggest day on the Apurimac! Before today we'd been having fun rafting down grade 3 and 4 rapids - my first experience of rafting and I loved it! The crew were alternately rafting and filming and everyone was just getting the hang of manipulating the boats and enjoying themselves.

The Rapid with no Name

Author: Matt N

Published on: 04/Nov/2007

Latitude: -14.051331

Longitude: -72.465820

Next stage of the journey: By boat

After an early start and long drive we met up with our white water rafting guides and set out to explore one of the high Peruvian tributaries of the Amazon. This leg is going to be particularly difficult when working with the camera equipment as we need to capture great shots of white water rafting yet not destroy our cameras at the same time.

Preparing for rafting

Author: Zubin Sarosh

Published on: 03/Nov/2007

Latitude: -6.967446

Longitude: -76.427422

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Filming has been challenging. In addition to the physical challenge, the conditions make things much harder than normal - an almost incessant wind has made recording clean sound a great challenge.

Amazon team enter the Red Zone

Author: Matt N

Published on: 02/Nov/2007

Latitude: -14.875278

Longitude: -71.518889

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

In a few days time our journey will take us into the coca growing and cocaine trafficking area of Peru known as the 'Red Zone'. This region is pretty much a no-go area, even to the Peruvian army. This means that a mix of local militia police, members of the Ashaninka community and the drug traffickers control the area.

Kayaking and the Day of the Dead

Author: Matt N

Published on: 02/Nov/2007

Latitude: -14.875278

Longitude: -71.518889

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

We spent the night in a local hacienda and instead of being kept awake by the cold, this time it was the constant breaking wind and smelly socks that made it hard to sleep as I'm sharing a room with the boys.

Man Overboard!

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 02/Nov/2007

Latitude: -14.875278

Longitude: -71.518889

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Today started rather inauspiciously as I jumped into my canoe at the place where I left it last night and capsized after about half a minute on the water!

Peru beat England again

Author: Matt N

Published on: 31/Oct/2007

Latitude: -14.975833

Longitude: -71.610556

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

While waiting to leave, literally in the middle of nowhere, a young llama herder walked past so I kicked him our football and started to have a kick around with him. He seemed to want to go on and on but I collapsed on the floor.

Zubin kicks off

Author: Zubin Sarosh

Published on: 30/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

The team show off their footballing skills

Mistaken identity

Author: Matt Brandon

Published on: 30/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

The team get mistaken for land developers

A Technical Perspective

Author: Matt B

Published on: 30/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.185000

Longitude: -71.635278

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

The altitude has been a shock but the source of the Amazon was amazing - water just spewing out of this wall. The mountains are covered with snow and the landscape here is totally epic. It's been really, really tough and it's very cold.

Sacrifice and blessing

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 29/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.185000

Longitude: -71.635278

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

The last couple of days we've been staying with Rodolfo and his family in their ridge-top estancia near the source of the Amazon.

Downhill from here

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 29/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Bruce reaches the highest point of his Amazon journey

Almu's Tardis tent

Author: Almu

Published on: 29/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Almu shows off her tent's unlimited storage capacity

Ten llamas and a Donkey

Author: Almu

Published on: 29/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

We have just started the trek from the source to Angostura with the llamas. It's a two-day walk, we have 10 llamas and a donkey, and it's been raining - a lot.

Llama herders and Real Madrid

Author: Matt N

Published on: 29/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

We first met our family of llama herders in the dark. Three nights ago we approached a tiny encampment and there, standing in the gloomy light, were the shadows of the family of llama herders that we've spent the last few days with.

A difficult story to tell

Author: Matt B

Published on: 29/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

It's cold and snowing and today we're setting off on the arduous trek to Angostura. Everyone is pretty tired, a combination of hard work, altitude and waking up at 3am freezing in the tent.

Icka and Bruce bid farewell

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 29/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Bruce helps Icka get ready for his donkey journey

Mutiny on the Mismi

Author: Matt B

Published on: 28/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

David, our guide and translator, took the opportunity to make an emotional offering to the mountain at the source and invited us all to join in.

Ceremony at the Source

Author: Zubin

Published on: 28/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Arriving at the source was a very special moment, crystal clear water seeping - almost gushing - out of a rock face.

Breaking into a sweat at 5000m

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 27/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Bruce struggles with the high altitude trek from the source of the Amazon

First shots of the biggest river in the world

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 26/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.503889

Longitude: -71.693333

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Yesterday we had our first filming day at the source, which is incredibly beautiful. The mountains seem like cardboard cut-outs against a brilliant blue sky and we've been taking some lovely shots.

The Big Opening

Author: Matt B

Published on: 26/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Feeling the part we struggled around panting for breath, trying to understand the rules used to judge the alpaca in the various competitions - best wool, nicest eyes, best colour - we were also asked to give out a couple of prizes.

The secret weapon

Author: Matt N

Published on: 26/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

After a couple of days walking and acclimatizing we got to the source yesterday. After reaching 5,200 metres we filmed our first shots of Bruce walking through the dramatic high Andes landscape and describing the start of his journey.

Altitude Sickness

Author: Zubin

Published on: 25/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

We've got to the source of the Amazon on the Mismi Mountain and we're filming the opening scene of the Amazon series.

Arrival in base camp

Author: Matt N

Published on: 24/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Yesterday our three-vehicle convoy drove higher and higher up into the Andes towards Mount Mismi in search of the source of the Amazon. On route we stopped in a tiny town to refuel and played football with two small lads no more than 10 years in age.

Anticipation in the high Andes

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 23/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Here we are! The team and I have been out in Peru for about five days.

Alpacas and Altitudes

Author: Matt B

Published on: 23/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Today we're heading up to the town of Tuti where they're holding the annual alpaca-shearing contest! I want to enter a team...

The end of an eventful journey

Author: Zubin Sarosh

Published on: 23/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Zubin describes a near miss on the journey from Cusco

Travelling from Colca

Author: Matt Norman

Published on: 23/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.650278

Longitude: -71.668611

Next stage of the journey: By foot

Matt describes the team's all-night journey to Mismi and the source of the Amazon

Llama Drama

Author: Almu

Published on: 22/Oct/2007

Latitude: -15.525278

Longitude: -71.690833

Next stage of the journey: By foot

There was recently a contest of loading llamas in a record time so I'm hoping the people there will point me towards the champion llamas. If not Bruce will have to train one!

What not to say

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 21/Oct/2007

Latitude: -6.967446

Longitude: -76.427422

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

Bruce prepares to insult himself

The Adventure Begins...

Author: Steve Robinson

Published on: 20/Oct/2007

Latitude: -6.967446

Longitude: -76.427422

Next stage of the journey: By 4x4

The team has finally arrived in Cusco after a gruelling three days travelling. Amazingly all of our 45 boxes and bags got here too, and the two Matts and Zubin are now in the hotel lobby with cables and cameras spread everywhere, trying to cut down on equipment before they leave for the source of the Amazon, which is up in the high Andes.

Twenty Hours in Transit

Author: Zubin

Published on: 19/Oct/2007

Latitude: -12.125264

Longitude: -76.816406

Next stage of the journey: By air

All the luggage seems to have made it onto South American soil at least and it's now just a matter of getting it up into the Andes.

His and His watches

Author: Matt Brandon

Published on: 19/Oct/2007

Latitude: -12.125264

Longitude: -76.816406

Next stage of the journey: By air

Matt B and Zubin compare watches and Matt reveals that he's already lost two of the luxury items he brought on the trip

Taxi for Parry

Author: Bruce Parry

Published on: 19/Oct/2007

Latitude: -12.125264

Longitude: -76.816406

Next stage of the journey: By air

Bruce describes the team's arrival in Lima

The journey begins...

Published on: 18/Oct/2007

Latitude: 51.471921

Longitude: -0.453358

Next stage of the journey: By air

See the team setting off from Heathrow on the beginning of their six-month adventure
Watch Bruce Parry's video
Watch Steve Robinson's video
Watch Matt Brandon's video
Watch Matt Norman's video
Watch Zubin Sarosh's video
Watch Almudena's video