[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YfjVz2eMU5s/Un2qs73UYpI/AAAAAAAAYTA/ovjTXHlPqN8/s144-c-o/PA260121.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944094772159603346″ caption=”The crew of the pilot station wlecoming me” type=”image” alt=”PA260121.JPG” ]

Hosted nicely in civilization in a pilot station!

Pos: here
Loc: Rio Barima
Acc: Pilot station
Dist: 38,6 km
Start: 5:00 End: 15:40

I can’t say I love longer crossings, they are simply boring. This one started with high waves and wind, merged into a rough rainstorm with even stronger wind but lower waves, and finalized the day with a constant 15+ knots side/ front wind against the current, creating also nice waves. At least I didn’t had to correct course in this falling water period, I didn’t lose a single degree. As much as the wind pushed me into the river, the current flew out. The land came slowly closer, averaging only a ridiculous 3,6 km/h.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kbdWHbv0zPY/Un2pLIjcEII/AAAAAAAAYTA/LHpdb0C3QKU/s144-c-o/PA260110.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944093091938701442″ caption=”In the middle of the river crossing, on one of those floating alive plant islands, blooms a flower…” type=”image” alt=”PA260110.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NnC6mD23rtY/Un2uGPSuLkI/AAAAAAAAYTA/rbq1UO6C2g8/s144-c-o/PA270130.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944098505406426690″ caption=”The station on stilts from the swampy hinterland with the shipwreck” type=”image” alt=”PA270130.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nfIasNvMCCg/Un2o-5-LBsI/AAAAAAAAYTA/3pcIw7ZLHGc/s144-c-o/PA260118.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944092881865868994″ caption=”A quite romantic looking beautiful old shipwreck just across the pilot station. There seems to be a need for river pilots!” type=”image” alt=”PA260118.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4G91g21jIqo/Un2r4fZWWHI/AAAAAAAAYTA/5mK_-dLkOg4/s144-c-o/PA270123.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944096070187767922″ caption=”Another old shipwreck just side by side of the station, already overgrown” type=”image” alt=”PA270123.JPG” ]

But I had the outlook of staying in civilization tonight, as there is a big pilot station at the beginning of Rio Barima. I slowly turned into the river, passing a large native village with maybe 13 houses. Houses means here open platforms mostly on poles with a roof of leaves. Inside you could see people lingering in hammocks, many kids playing everywhere and about 6 boats were parking on the beach. Inside this river are many more villages, when I will be leaving again I may go through the river to exit eventually out to sea again and probably have to stay one night in one of those villages.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xd0R9ZsW4tI/Un2qfpX8TmI/AAAAAAAAYTA/tG4E1dZ_sGw/s144-c-o/PA260120.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944094543857864290″ caption=”Approaching the pilot station” type=”image” alt=”PA260120.JPG” ]

But for tonight my goal was the pilot station, only 1 km behind the village. A long jetty with two boats tied up, a large house and a helicopter in the backyard. Two large wrecks just in the neighborhood may show the need for their existence, although I haven’t seen any big boats here yet. I will ask them about their work tomorrow.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oWG2lrMXOEU/Un2XbSt5gHI/AAAAAAAAYTA/ib47uiCxqyc/s144-c-o/20131026_154448.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944073578335535218″ caption=”Landing on the bottom of the narrow rusty staircase of the pilot station” type=”image” alt=”20131026_154448.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j69laIGbyAc/Un2Xa2SM2EI/AAAAAAAAYTA/EnWPvxghLhQ/s144-c-o/20131026_154700.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944073570703169602″ caption=”Lenin and George, two of the river pilots, were greeting me at their station” type=”image” alt=”20131026_154700.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pT4mYPgl1wk/Un2YapECbzI/AAAAAAAAYTA/jBznFnaYCjo/s144-c-o/20131026_161222.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944074666665733938″ caption=”The boss of the station, Domingo, welcomes me to stay. Thanks!” type=”image” alt=”20131026_161222.jpg” ]

I could land on a metal staircase, half rusted away, but still holding me and my gear on unloading. Then it was the kayak, many helpful guys were already around, curiously watching what I was doing. George spoke good English, and invited me to stay a night. The boss Josè Domingo also agreed friendly, and I got an air conditioned room, laundry service, shower and a yummy chicken dinner. Life is not too bad after seven days fighting headwinds and counter currents and staying in the bush! I am invited to stay to rest as long as I like! Thanks, guys! I will need it before I tackle the next leg to Georgetown.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6onJlOBWiiQ/Un2XcOilj0I/AAAAAAAAYTA/d25vIith-uM/s144-c-o/20131026_155215.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944073594394218306″ caption=”Unloading my kayak on this staircase is not easy, then getting it up!” type=”image” alt=”20131026_155215.jpg” ]