The End of an Era

After over 6 years of intensive research and community development work in and around the Yachana Reserve, GVI Amazon is coming to a close. We have finished our final research project (look forward to our Road Effects paper, coming soon!) and are handing over the project to our partner, The Yachana Foundation. They will continue to maintain and monitor the reserve, using it as an hands-on science education center for students -- we're very excited to see what fabulous things this next generation of scientists find! For more detail on GVI Amazon's closure, and our accomplishments over the years, please read on...
GVI Amazon Closure Statement

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

GVI Amazon 2010 Begins!

After a long bus ride then canoe trip from Quito to GVI Base Camp, distant huffing and puffing and excited chatter could be heard drifting up the steps from Port.
The new volunteers had arrived!

A mixture of English, Welsh, American and Australian nationalities; the volunteers got stuck into setting up their mosquito nets before a tour of camp, welly selection and an introduction to camp life. Cold showers, early mornings, mud and dinners by candlelight is what they can expect for the weeks to come.

The first night in camp we were all lucky enough to see a Coral Snake down near the toilet block. Coral Snakes are one of the most beautiful but extremely poisonous snakes found in the Amazon. Our luck continued on the volunteers’ first walk on the first day, where they saw Tamarin monkeys and humming birds.

On the second night in camp another dangerous Amazonian creature was encountered- the feared Tarantula! It didn’t take long for these adventurous volunteers to discover a few living underneath the dorms where they sleep. When a moulted Tarantula skin was found, the boys decided to play a prank on Benny by carefully placing it on his pillow. As hoped, screams could later be heard from the other side of camp when his weary head touched that pillow (and the spider skin!)

The fun and adventure has begun for the first GVI Amazon expedition of 2010.

Jasmine Rowe - GVI Amazon Scholar Jan-Mar 2010
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4 comments:

Unknown said...

It all sounds great. Tom Smith should be one of or the englishman arriving 11/01/10. Did his luggage catch up with him. hilary and Tim smith

Rosanna Amato said...

Hi Bianca!!!
Hello from down under..Well you have finally made it!It sounds so adventurous and exciting. Enjoy your time and cant wait to hear all about your wonderful experiences. Take care and we all miss you terribly. Enjoy your adventure.
With all our love Mum, Dad, Aleasha & Nick. xxx

Rosanna Amato said...

What a wonderful adventure for all of the volunteers who have travelled far and wide to experience the Amazon adventure.
Bianca Amato enjoy your time and experiences. Luv Rosanna and Gino Amato

Linda DuFresne said...

Hi Stef!
I miss you- so does Penny, Moca and Mimi! So fun to hear about your adventures from your email and the blogs.
Love, Mom xo