Day5 - The Ferry to Bartica

We got up really early this morning For the ferry to Bartica. I repacked all my stuff and managed to fit it all into my backpack. I took my malaria pill early before I had a chance to eat and it made me feel nautious for a good hour. I was okay by the time we loaded onto the bus for the hour drive to the docks. I couldn't eat anything though.

I don't know how to explain the experience of taking the 5 hour ride down the river to Bartica. It began as a very stressful experience. We had to hoist our copius amounts of lugage over the side of the boat, some of which weighed nearly 100 pounds. the boat was also packed, think of being in a cramped elevator for 5 hours in 35 degree wheather sweating buckets. Once we found a decently comfortable spot however it became an amazing ride. It was beautiful and different and something I will probably never experience again. The ferry would slow down every now and then then while small row boats would come out and pick up passengers to take them ashore to the tiny villages that dot the coast along the route. Getting off the boat wasn't nearly as bad as getting on but is was an adventure as we dropped the luggage over the side in and hauled it to shore.

We are staying at the Bartica Secondary School and our new diggs are luxurious compared to the Collegein Georgetown. We have a balcony and lounge, bigger rooms and better showers. It is superb.

We travelled into town tonight to reward our long day with a cold beer and we got our first glimpse of the town here. It is small but bustling and very fun. I am excited about exploring it further and learning what else it has to offer.

Tomorrow, swimming!!