Click on the photos for larger shots and explanations.
Our first sketch, of how to make the frame.
An aerial photograph of Coca, our town of construction. The river to the left is the Coca River that merges with the Napo River, flowing in the top of the images. We constructed the raft on the small Payamino river, which can be seen curving in the right of the image.
34 of these huge bamboo sticks 11m long (35ft) made up the raft structure.
Carrying the bamboo sticks the last 500m (1/4 mi), was hard work as each weighed up to 70kg.
Our raft floated on 20 of these 55 gallon (200 liter) plastic barrels. We bought them used from a scrap-yard.
The very first bamboo joint. It turned out to be poor workmanship; later we learned the technique.
On day 3, we had to float the small main-frame, before it got too heavy to carry into the river
Eating lunch together with our landlord, always a good experience.
The humble, but happy home of our friendly, warm, Shuar-tribal landlord.
Our tribal landlord shows us how its done.
Peycho looking bewildered around as our raft isn’t taking much shape. Time to learn.
Installing the barrels under the main-frame and the raft is floating!
Our tribal landlord shows us the tricks of the trade.
Constructing, with the help of our friends.
It’s starting to look like something, right?
Our local friends in Coca
Isolated, nearly unknown little jungle waterfall, 1 hour walking and 200m swimming into the jungle. Loved it!
See the ant?
Creepy crawly!
We took a couple of days off, to explore the area around Coca.
We had made friends with the local zoo-manager that took us into the animal-zones.
Wild monkeys roamed around the zoo, as they had learned that they could steal food.
Wild monkeys roamed around the zoo, as they had learned that they could steal food. Here a Mono Arana = Spider Monkey
Roaming freely around the zoo, the tapirs was quiet curious
Chapter 3: Construction in Coca
Roof and floor installed, happy co-owner
We considered adding a sail to the raft, but dropped the plan as it likely wouldn’t have worked.
International Sailing Permit, issued by the Equadorian Army
Port Registry Certificate. Officially, we are now a vessel.
Making a fireplace
A fireplace and 2 sand-anchors.
Not so basic, afterall
Harvesting rain-water from the roof and into a 20 gallon water tank. We even added a tap and a sink.
Beds, chairs and whatever you need for the next 4 months. See the champagne?
Ready for departure!
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