The Ayapua

On our Earthwatch expedition we were lucky to be stationed aboard the Ayapua, a restored rubber boom era ship with many parts reclaimed from the ship used in the filming of the movie Fitzcarraldo. It was originally built in Brazil and used to carry rubber out of the Amazon. To be on such a historically important ship was a treat in itself. After our trip the ship was to be used in the marine museum in Iquitos. Here are a few pictures of my home for two weeks.

                                                    The Ayapua docked at Nauta

                                                                   The Stairway

                                                  The Dining Room/ Meeting Room

                                                                     My Bedroom

                                                   Stairways up and down

          Stairway reclaimed from the Molly Aida of Fitzcarraldo fame

                                Smokestacks and funnels from the Molly Aida

                                                              The Library

                                                                      The Helm

                                                                     The Bar

                                  The Ayapua docked on the Samiria River

                                                    An auxillary boat

 

                                                                         Home

Everytime we went out on an auxiliary boat for an expedition, it was such a wonderful feeling to see this ship come into view and know that we were home.

 

 

Amazon Riverboat Exploration

In the beginning of February, 2014 I went on an Earthwatch expedition to the Amazon River. The trip began in the Peruvian city of Iquitos. Historically this town was the center of the Rubber Boom Era in the early 1900's when the Amazon Rainforest was exploited for the harvesting of rubber to supply the demands of rubber for tires for the newly invented automobile. The local Indians were used as slaves to harvest the rubber and the rubber barons became rich and powerful. They built lavish homes and built steamships to carry the rubber out of the forest. When the demand for rubber subsided because it was deemed more profitable to farm rubber in a more hospitable environment, the city fell into disrepair and was reclaimed by the local people. Iquitos is a fascinating city at the gateway to the Amazon River. For hundreds of years the locals have lived in floating houses. There are crowded outdoor markets, curbside restaurants and buzzing traffic of unique motorcycle taxis. I have never been to a more unique city. I spent 2 nights at Casa Moray, a restored rubber baron mansion. There I was joined by my fellow adventurers and our leader Dr. Richard Bodmer to begin our foray into the Amazon.

                                                                            Casa Moray

      Amazon Longboats  

 

Fish seller at Belen Market

 

 

Street Food... Grubs!

 

Belen Market...Floating City in the background

 

 

Street Food

 

Floating Houses

 

Floating Houses

 

Iquitos Taxi

 

Remnant of another era