[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cP1c43S47WM/UysAErS_EdI/AAAAAAAAaDw/FFg__LXzndA/s144-c-o/P2280086.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992883809488409042″ caption=”The most pretty and well maintained house in town belongs to the nurse!” type=”image” alt=”P2280086.JPG” ]

A day with the village people
Pos: here
Loc: Sucuriju
Acc: room police station

My body felt better this morning, still I am all right with the fact I am stuck here for a few days waiting out the Pororoco time. It was the day most of my house companions were leaving for their homes in Marcapá, and I was feeling should I take the chance to jump on their boat to get at least inside the Amazon? Well, no…

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OeQAG7FXb4U/Uyr9QoROQMI/AAAAAAAAaCw/i4vwEGvi988/s144-c-o/P2280074.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992880716299256002″ caption=”Our introductionary walk on the `main street` of Sucuriju in pouring rain” type=”image” alt=”P2280074.JPG” ]

In the morning, it was raining like hell, but my three Policemen went on their last village patrol fully armed and in dress uniform, and I went with them to get introduced here and there. They say they really don’t have much to do here, if there are troubles, it may come from aggression related to alcohol, which I think they don’t have very much here (I guess…)

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qz7XR1PYmZA/Uyr7Pi5FYCI/AAAAAAAAaCU/TJYn_7cQzPc/s144-c-o/P2280071.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992878498652708898″ caption=”`Main street` of Sucuriju, to the left the school house” type=”image” alt=”P2280071.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L1oCnP8sqyM/Uyr7CDNhs_I/AAAAAAAAaCM/H11hgFv8TXk/s144-c-o/P2280070.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992878266810217458″ caption=”The school house in Sucuriju” type=”image” alt=”P2280070.JPG” ]

Two of the guys were nicely dressed in rain coats, one other and me had to walk like we were, in more or less stronger rain. There is only one “main road”, aka wooden plank walkway, maybe 500 m long, and maybe 50-70 houses. Some person said there are about 600 people living here? Either I counted the houses wrong, but it may be that there are quite a few of people living inside each one, many many kids and babys.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iPLTN8K2qDE/Uyr5A8-A_JI/AAAAAAAAaBc/Cm7G_yrVKxI/s144-c-o/P2280007.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992876048931421330″ caption=”The really pretty local nurse walking around from head to toes in white in the muddy rain” type=”image” alt=”P2280007.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FSMBuZoikeI/Uyr9_BEdHvI/AAAAAAAAaDA/H3Mf0z_2_Ic/s144-c-o/P2280078.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992881513230573298″ caption=”The nurse serving as the doctor here with the pharmacy in the other room” type=”image” alt=”P2280078.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cKxRH9q2InQ/Uyr9dOOVRPI/AAAAAAAAaC4/8OAOeteNPKI/s144-c-o/P2280077.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992880932646110450″ caption=”The doctor`s office…” type=”image” alt=”P2280077.JPG” ]

They have a medical station with one lady nurse working there, with a small pharmacy, an old and a new school building with two smaller “soccer fields” which ground became just soapy slippery in the heavy rain now, still not preventing six young kids, boys and girls, to have their entertainment including long fun slides on the mud on their stomach when they were falling. Must be fun! 🙂 I saw two church buildings, some communal houses and big fresh water cisterns they may need in the dry season. Not now though, as every house has it’s own tanks. There are two public land line phones, and I saw inside some houses they had their own lines also. The houses and their inhabitants are living quite open door, as with no electricity during the day their houses may be quite dark inside otherwise. Bugs are mostly a plague at night.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-595oH2PrmFY/UysJmtiaJVI/AAAAAAAAaGk/8W14_0jHeJg/s144-c-o/P2280123.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992894289810171218″ caption=”One of the about five small `general stores` of Sucuriju” type=”image” alt=”P2280123.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Au2PcSz3nBY/UysBDizDg2I/AAAAAAAAaEI/3f_B3dinGdc/s144-c-o/P2280090.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992884889538757474″ caption=”Some more Sucuriju `main street`” type=”image” alt=”P2280090.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2bBAmbdHuNU/UysAVUmN72I/AAAAAAAAaD4/9SK-x-4k1Rk/s144-c-o/P2280087.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992884095452835682″ caption=”The TV sat dish is already ever present im even the most remote housing area” type=”image” alt=”P2280087.JPG” ]

You can see hammocks everywhere, “walls” in the wooden huts simply hung with some large pieces of cloth, families eating and playing mostly on the ground of the huts, but also modern furniture pieces here and there. A TV seems to be almost standard as  I saw many. I am still wondering where all the money to by the stuff is generated…? There are fishing boats, but do they fish so much to sell in the next larger town like Marcapá? About 6-8 smaller “shops” with basic food and daily needs were also to be seen. But all “import” things. There are no backyards to be seen, locally generated food is only fish and maybe a few eggs. But the piles of eggs I saw in the shops can’t have come from the few chicken I heard. But I won’t starve here if I’d not be stocked already well with food.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F6M_CIf9Ofs/Uyr-Su8ZgfI/AAAAAAAAaDI/V605mQEaF1M/s144-c-o/P2280079.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992881851962327538″ caption=”Two really lovely local ladies working for the church” type=”image” alt=”P2280079.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fWAKsUBaqlU/UysH0oV0obI/AAAAAAAAaGQ/D14KvnAYxKI/s144-c-o/P2280121.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992892329910116786″ caption=”The wooden church house of Sucuriju” type=”image” alt=”P2280121.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vIF9ysA_qFE/Uyr_ANmwPyI/AAAAAAAAaDY/ln_ODe4-kjI/s144-c-o/P2280082.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992882633287155490″ caption=”The open church house, with some music band practising” type=”image” alt=”P2280082.JPG” ]

My police men guides took me inside a building obviously run by the church, where some nice women had prepared some cake and break for the soon to come group of women and children after some prayer meeting or such. We were allowed to try the cake, nice, thanks! All friendly people everywhere. In the larger open church building, they had some kind of a Christian music band playing on electrical guitars and modern instruments. I think without my “guides” I would have been too shy to go in here and there. But again, communication is not too bad with my broken Spanish the Portuguese speaking people do quite well understand. I am trying to catch some “real” Portuguese words though…

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-595oH2PrmFY/UysJmtiaJVI/AAAAAAAAaGk/8W14_0jHeJg/s144-c-o/P2280123.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992894289810171218″ caption=”One of the about five small `general stores` of Sucuriju” type=”image” alt=”P2280123.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lf5UXhqWKxg/UysIDJGgIuI/AAAAAAAAaGY/EA64wqMcctU/s144-c-o/P2280122.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992892579222397666″ caption=”On old fisher man repairing his nets” type=”image” alt=”P2280122.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ObyTraeOMRw/UysG8Sx-1oI/AAAAAAAAaGA/UMp8CTDv89I/s144-c-o/P2280119.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992891362049971842″ caption=”I like this water basin, made out of a huge car tyre!” type=”image” alt=”P2280119.JPG” ]

We were also talking a bit longer to some locals I was asking about the Pororoco and highest water level according to the new moon, and they strongly advised me not to already leave on Sunday after the dangerous tidal waves are through, but to wait another two days until the water level is back down a bit more. High water level obviously also means stronger current on raising and falling water. I can’t really judge it, but what I saw so far as current is horrible.And sure I have to find some kind of dry space for the night at some point which worries me also. I am not sure yet when to leave. I am now going again due south and after about 75 km even south west, so the north west wind is not that much of an issue any more, besides it whips up the sea now on the outgoing tide. Ingoing should be a blast, but the problem is that ingoing is strong, but shorter time. No idea about the area close to the shore how strong the current is there when it is running out, and how the shore soon will look like  in general. I am thinking it will be less wild, but the steep clay walls will probably remain with me, I think.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NoC2rFzvgzQ/UysDUy_W9QI/AAAAAAAAaEs/O3oy6drurqo/s144-c-o/P2280095.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992887384966362370″ caption=”I found a representative of this cosmetic company even in the smallest Amayonian village” type=”image” alt=”P2280095.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FS0ysHjhcq4/UysDSGl5ApI/AAAAAAAAaEk/E53hwmale2M/s144-c-o/P2280093.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992887338688643730″ caption=”Young kids having fun in the rain on an ever muddy small soccer field by the village” type=”image” alt=”P2280093.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wYbIzr8cNV4/Uyr_i85JufI/AAAAAAAAaDo/gg8Jz0ttIco/s144-c-o/P2280085.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992883230096341490″ caption=”Boats are parked on the mud on lower tide” type=”image” alt=”P2280085.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yzy9DCFzmz0/Uyr_S0nzB1I/AAAAAAAAaDg/QHe5XhASyMQ/s144-c-o/P2280083.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992882952998160210″ caption=”The better area of Sucuriju `main street`” type=”image” alt=”P2280083.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_T_q9OiblSM/Uyr81-UpWDI/AAAAAAAAaCo/EjNDUPsAsX4/s144-c-o/P2280073.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992880258362726450″ caption=”Some of the better communal houses” type=”image” alt=”P2280073.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2scJueyaCeI/Uyr6YM_bEaI/AAAAAAAAaCE/kEQNoyMyT-8/s144-c-o/P2280069.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992877547880911266″ caption=”Some not yet finished wooden house on poles” type=”image” alt=”P2280069.JPG” ]

All in all, I am quite worried about what will come ahead. “My” season, paddling direction and general wind direction (north east) is much worse than the season, other paddling direction and wind direction (south east) of the two Canadian boys in maybe August/ September last year. It is said it is now some kind of “dry” season where the Amazon has less water, therefore the tide going *in* is stronger on the lower water level of the river system than the sea and the Pororoco is able to generate in February/ March. If they are calling this here a “dry” season…it must be meant far inland where the water is widely collecting? Basically, if I am stuck somewhere I can only paddle back and take a boat.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5n3uN8eSDvw/UysEZQlRTGI/AAAAAAAAaFE/fSuagNWRhA8/s144-c-o/P2280106.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992888561141107810″ caption=”The boat from the military police picking `my men` on lowest tide to drive then hone to Marcapa” type=”image” alt=”P2280106.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gCGhUTLhDoQ/UysFdcY6DyI/AAAAAAAAaFU/FKDx1-Jh0Og/s144-c-o/P2280111.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992889732541583138″ caption=”A really muddy loading process. no jetty available for this water level” type=”image” alt=”P2280111.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RP2hAqsQGRw/UysFhoU0hdI/AAAAAAAAaFk/Bhb_IfZmVnA/s144-c-o/P2280113.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992889804465145298″ caption=”…this boy has the best spectator seat!” type=”image” alt=”P2280113.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vh0izwofANM/UysFf_WDXMI/AAAAAAAAaFc/WHelLGi3HdU/s144-c-o/P2280114.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992889776284589250″ caption=”Push hard to get afloat – imside are 8 people plus many luggage!” type=”image” alt=”P2280114.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YkWpLhKKczQ/UysGxgFPxLI/AAAAAAAAaFw/1mlqxrO4ryk/s144-c-o/P2280116.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992891176641873074″ caption=”Bye, bye, military police men!” type=”image” alt=”P2280116.JPG” ]

The launch of my three police men companions plus one of the Nature Conservation guys who were also living in the house was a bit sad, as amazingly there was not a new crew coming in yet. Only one of the Nature Conservation guys is left with me in the house now. The Military Police boat arrived on lowest tide, it was quite an effort to get all the passengers, including two teachers, plus their luggage on board through and over the steep mud walls. No jetty sticking out that far on lowest tide. They were kind of grounded on the lowest mud ledge, and to push off the heavy boat four men had to be almost crotch deep inside the mud. Yuck. But you can wash it all off again…

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rXo8Deu-vPI/UysJo5_5dUI/AAAAAAAAaGs/h2ehCldEIrE/s144-c-o/P2280124.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992894327514821954″ caption=”The launch for the soccer party on the sand bank on the other side of the river begins…” type=”image” alt=”P2280124.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y7a_WIA6l-g/Uys67_FSaNI/AAAAAAAAaHk/7Gzk7uMMV_g/s144-c-o/P2280126.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992948531366881490″ caption=”Happy youngstes in different propelled and sized boats set across the river over to the sand bank” type=”image” alt=”P2280126.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bMRYxz7–L8/UysJ9vQt3_I/AAAAAAAAaG0/Pm6XgIuhFZ4/s144-c-o/P2280125.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992894685409828850″ caption=”I was invited to be an honorable spectactor of the soccer spectacle” type=”image” alt=”P2280125.JPG” ]

The afternoon I got the honour to be invited by the local young men to watch their soccer game on the outer large sand bank on low tide. A bunch of smaller boats were loaded with overall 33 young men plus myself, some of them with engines, some just paddle propelled. The tide was still running out, so getting to the river entrance was somehow easy – besides getting in and out of the boats through the steep mud walls. I felt quite like an alien between the men! 🙂

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CJ53qAHQYyw/Uys65YPvvmI/AAAAAAAAaHc/hR8cIH4nEhA/s144-c-o/P2280127.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992948486582025826″ caption=”The goals made out of bamboo poles were already pre-prepared” type=”image” alt=”P2280127.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sImRPbgstSk/Uys8Xpl4bUI/AAAAAAAAaIA/VNtmiKJk1HQ/s144-c-o/P2280138.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992950106145975618″ caption=”The goal has proper dimensions, half of the team has no shirts on for looking different” type=”image” alt=”P2280138.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7oy4Id5ihSs/Uys8hksdcQI/AAAAAAAAaIU/87ojHpBm0ww/s144-c-o/P2280144.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992950276630081794″ caption=”See the logo on the happy young man`s shorts – the German team FC Bayern Muenchen! Do we wear the SPFC logo in Germany?” type=”image” alt=”P2280144.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5n1vj-wcFdQ/Uys6z-834II/AAAAAAAAaHQ/OZ49EeB6U-A/s144-c-o/P2280132.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992948393892634754″ caption=”From the distance the improvised soccer field on the wet sand bank looks to me rather like an ice skating ring” type=”image” alt=”P2280132.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GIxJXZhMRsI/Uys8isjytRI/AAAAAAAAaIY/cu8oKTfvEOw/s144-c-o/P2280143.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992950295921079570″ caption=”Another spectator, but a bit shy!” type=”image” alt=”P2280143.JPG” ]

They brought bamboo poles and solid sticks for a proper size goal set up, the corner poles were improvised by some of the few larger drift wood pieces. The “field” was quickly cleaned of the few smaller bits of driftwood, and the set up was ready. They were playing in two shifts of 16 men each game, and from the distance the whole affair looked to me like they were ice skating in the shiny wet surface with still a bunch of puddles here and there. They eventually decided at that spot were too many water puddles, and moved simply the field set up a bit further out to the sea edge. The tide was still retracting to the max…and I heard more and more the word “Pororoco” in their chats…was it…was it already to come tonight??? They were quite serious about their game, all barefoot, with well developed leg muscles here and there, half of the team displaying a bare upper body with good muscles instead of colour matching shirts. They are all fans of the “SPFC”, the Sao Paulo Football Club, still I saw a pair of pants with “Bayern München” and I felt honoured 🙂 Brazilians are soooo serious about soccer anywhere, it already starts at the far end of the country and will continue throughout the many beaches I will visit.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Kw71f083b0/Uys-_a9Rx5I/AAAAAAAAaIw/IIdlalbQHIY/s144-c-o/P2280147.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992952988435597202″ caption=”The first pororoca wave of this moon cycle is coming into the Sucuriju river – rather small…and the boat on the water has fun to jump over it” type=”image” alt=”P2280147.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MCNpbFWf-F0/Uys_Ez1NB8I/AAAAAAAAaI4/ryD3_UtlFdk/s144-c-o/P2280148.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992953081011963842″ caption=”Five seconds later, the guys are going to be washed away on that spot!” type=”image” alt=”P2280148.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1pCbwXX_yCY/UytAqWIubTI/AAAAAAAAaJ8/xZMERoDydrs/s144-c-o/P2280153.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992954825387437362″ caption=”The water level in the river rises withing minutes to minimum half tide with this small wave” type=”image” alt=”P2280153.JPG” ]

The spectators took always some glances to the sea, Pororoca, Pororoca…the sky became pitch dark, and I eventually spotted a white line coming closer…hey, guys, will you not please quickly leave this exposed place here??? Are you gambling with danger, or do you know your sea and river so well all is still ok? I was rather assuming the latter, them being all young hotblooded men…

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_yBlHEL9x1U/UytAjhHp8cI/AAAAAAAAaJ0/D3q7lx4BTJs/s144-c-o/P2280151.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992954708076655042″ caption=”The youngsters seem to know their river – this first wave is not too powerful yet – and here…” type=”image” alt=”P2280151.JPG” ]

Eventually the wave hit the outer shore with big splashing, still maybe in 500 m distance as the sand bank was so huge. They said it will take some time to get into the entrance, but finally now they started to pack their goal poles and shirts and were slowly walking to the boats inside the river bank. I saw a few minutes earlier a bunch of guys running to their boats to secure them, obviously a bit more worried about the water raising earlier than the wave is coming. But basically it was tide at the very lowest, and then the tidal wave raises the first meters within just a few minutes. The wave came around the sand bank corner inside the river mouth, the guys had all the boats turned with the bow pointing out, calmly waiting for the wave to come. Well, ok, I knew out here in deeper water the wave is not too serious, it is becoming trashy and violent only further inside the rivers where they are narrow and more shallow than here. Still as I had no idea what would be coming, I was probably way more scared than necessary. I had stuffed my flip flops, card bag and camera into my nylon bike pants, ready to swim for my life, just in case 🙂

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1BL9yrnH0ro/Uys_OGyHncI/AAAAAAAAaJE/dEI3pPEVZn8/s144-c-o/P2280150.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992953240718122434″ caption=”Holding our boat against the rushing up tidal water from the pororoca” type=”image” alt=”P2280150.JPG” ]

But the wave was really not high, maybe 80 cm here, and was rolling in with some turbulent splashes on the sandy mud beach, but the guys could easily hold the boats into the raising current some meters high on the shore, as they wanted to start after the wave was through and the current has raised the water level within minutes to flood the boats easy. Well…it worked. Accordingly the rain and wind was starting to be ugly now, people were freezing, still a bunch of bold guys just were *swimming* with the current back to the village! Ok, I rather take the boat.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OAII1kQgGy8/UytAdhMN3LI/AAAAAAAAaJo/eqInSQFy7SU/s144-c-o/P2280157.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage18Brazil1CayenneToAmazonasDelta#5992954605016571058″ caption=”The ride home on the calmed down river – `buddha` upfront!” type=”image” alt=”P2280157.JPG” ]

Soaked to the skin, muddy all over but at least with the experience of a smaller “live” Porococo and Brazilian beach soccer fanatics , I was safely back in the village to have my well deserved bucket shower! Plenty of fresh water available!