Day 141 - Floating towards Manaus

(Ursula) It was so peaceful to wake up floating on the river.

I saw nothing but dense jungle on either shore and occasionally spotted a hut or small settlement.

(Heinz) After breakfast (pancakes with bananas), we joined the captain for coffee. For added safety, he had his crew secure the vehicles' axles to the barge with chains so it couldn’t accidentally slip off.

Wally and I took photographs of the jungle and the tugboat with the attached barge. It looked good, almost like a moving platform on the waters of the Rio Branco. Since there was enough water around, we took advantage and thoroughly scrubbed our “home” from top to bottom.

Ursula got busy and washed our clothes and bed sheets. The little bananas from Caracari tasted delicious. We even had them for lunch and dinner!

September 20th
(Heinz) The boat traveled all during the night while we slept. This morning we found ourselves floating on the Rio Negro (Black River), and indeed, the watercolor appeared darker than on the Rio Branco (White River).

It was also much wider, almost like a lake. Sometimes we thought we could see the other shore, only to realize later that it was just an island.

When I attempted to scoop water from the river with our large cooking pot, it filled up so quickly at the speed we were going, and the rope slipped out of my hands. A souvenir from us is now laying at the bottom of the Rio Negro!

Wally picked up a foot fungus or something. It's itching, and he regularly dabs the affected areas with medication. Ouch!

Büsi is not feeling better, and I discovered worms in her poop, which is not good.

The captain announced that if everything went according to plan, we would arrive in Manaus shortly after midnight.Read more