Orellana.. First European to discover Amazon

Quito, Gualpi...

At the point where Francisco Orellana started his expedition in search for Eldorado ... He was the first European to descend the amazon river during a disastrous expedition with one of the Pizzaro  brothers .. He gave the river its name after claiming to fight giant 'amazonian' women. His reports of a heavily populated Amazon basin are only now gaining credit. See the search for eldorado ... There is a link in one of my first blogs.... Interesting to see scrubbed out graffiti on his bust saying 'shame on you Indian killer!'. 

Pink river Dolphins

We are glad to publish a great project made by Kailen (age 8) about pink river dolphins. He did an excelent job on his blog http://kaioamazon.wordpress.com/.

We hope the expedition team find a pink dolphin on the Amazon river. I'm sure Kailen will be excited and so will we!

Quito... Expedition preparation begins

In Quito.. Starting expedition preparation. Last 10 days out of email contact at Santa Lucia reserve leading the Earthwatch 'Climate change, canopies and wildlife project'. Photo from this beautiful cloudforest reserve below with Earthwatch volunteers working on a forest dynamics plot and a wee rescued spectacle bear...

Arrived in Ecuador.. Sans luggage...

Flew out on Saturday to Ecuador as have earthwatch project to run from 17th to 27th June. We arrived safely but the paddle boards and luggage stayed in Miami!! Getting nervous as have limited pant supply... Acclimatising on a quiet Sunday and took a trip up the cable car....

Last week in UK

Training after a weeks flu.. Beautiful Brighton eve. One more week in the UK before off to Ecuador... Work in the Andes before expedition starts on 10th July... There has been a massive oil spill into the Coca river... We will report on impacts to river life as we head down...