[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1nnLqmCqTZY/Uyts6CFeWSI/AAAAAAAAafA/KQ0GV4UJsA4/s144-c-o/P3150279.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5993003473394620706″ caption=”Camped high and dry on a river sand bank, but heavy rain all day and night.” type=”image” alt=”P3150279.JPG” ]

100% rain all day and a perfect early campsite
Pos: here
Loc: Sandy high river bank
Acc: tent
Dist: 36,5 km
Start: 6:45 End: 14:45

“Did you sleep well?” Sure…thanks for the hospitality! I left early as usual, doing my morning toilet on the next sand bank. I am simply used more to have more privacy, my problem…

It started to rain when I was launching, and didn’t stop until now, more or less heavy. Not much wind mostly though, and relatively calm seas. Still all warm when soaked to the bones, good. I had stuffed my left foot into a plastic bag with lot of healing cream, this prevented it from burning during the day or to get worse open wounds.

Just when I had to decide whether I like to find the inside channels of Ila Do Ganhoao, it breezed up to do much and the decision was made for me. I easily found the channels, with occasional asking locals to confirm. This is an area of lovely houses, all equipped with sat dish and made out of the finest tropical woods. Just that the roads are water and the living spaces of each house quite limited. But they had a soccer field at some river corner though! Some larger “city centre” was at the entrance to the larger river, all looking like quite a living space for many people. If it wouldn’t have been lunch time only, I’d have just to pick my house for the night. All people waving friendly back, and some made even inviting hand signs.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Km_Ibz7Gh0E/UytsQMeO7zI/AAAAAAAAafA/FnbkVcL2tpE/s144-c-o/P3140278.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5993002754628316978″ caption=”Every house in this channel had it’s TV sat dish…” type=”image” alt=”P3140278.JPG” ]

But I wanted to continue and to find a remote camp site, for another social afternoon my energy was limited. Out of the river and back to the Amazon, I had to give a HUGE sand bank a wide berth at low tide, until I could eventually head into the right direction. Another high yellow sand bank was lurking quite soon, keeping in mind the continuing rain and bad visibility and my still bad foot, I decided to call it a day on this inviting spot. On low tide it isn’t that easy to find an easily accessible camp site!

I just saw some canoes coming out of the river and found the entrance between the banks. They usually mark it with some high pole anyway. A beautiful spot! Very high to stay dry, some houses in sight though. Sure just before darkness I got three curious visitors from the neighbours, all friendly.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oga-vrcfp-Q/Uyts_aiyzII/AAAAAAAAafA/wf1bHFGejzs/s144-c-o/P3150280.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5993003565859392642″ caption=”View from my sand bank” type=”image” alt=”P3150280.JPG” ]

Hope there won’t be more after darkness! Just a bunch of dogs running around, no other animals.