Should we take a boat from Tabatinga to Fonte Boa?
For a number of months, we've been waiting to ask this question. It's perhaps one of the biggest decisions we've ever left up to the students to decide for us. So think hard about your decision before you answer.
In approximately two weeks, we will reach the town of Tabatinga on the Brazillian border. Peru, Colombia, and Brazil all share a border along the Amazon River. This area is different than most borders around the world, because people travel between countries freely. The border area is not heavily policed like in other areas of the world. By talking with people who have been to area, they have told us that the area around Tabatinga is not particularly safe for foreigners to travel in. Modern-day pirates still operate in the area, and therefore, there is chance that we might be robbed.
We need you to tell us whether or not we should take a launcha, or water taxi, through this area. If we do take the launcha, we will be relying on a motorboat, which would prevent us from truly accomplishing our goal of crossing South America completely under our own power. In a way, it would be a little like giving up a small part of our goal. And, who knows, the people who we've gotten our information from might be exaggerating the risk of being robbed.
On the other hand, being safe is our main concern. Also, by taking the launcha, it would give us more time to explore the rainforest before and after the "dangerous" area. We could slow down and take our time. If there are places we find interesting, we would have the chance to stop, rather than being on a tight schedule. And besides, we will still complete the overall goal of crossing South America, just not completely under our own power. Even though this decision is still two weeks away, we need to make it now to budget our time between now and then. So, what do you think? Should we take the launcha or paddle the whole way? Make sure to explain your answer by leaving comments.
In approximately two weeks, we will reach the town of Tabatinga on the Brazillian border. Peru, Colombia, and Brazil all share a border along the Amazon River. This area is different than most borders around the world, because people travel between countries freely. The border area is not heavily policed like in other areas of the world. By talking with people who have been to area, they have told us that the area around Tabatinga is not particularly safe for foreigners to travel in. Modern-day pirates still operate in the area, and therefore, there is chance that we might be robbed.
We need you to tell us whether or not we should take a launcha, or water taxi, through this area. If we do take the launcha, we will be relying on a motorboat, which would prevent us from truly accomplishing our goal of crossing South America completely under our own power. In a way, it would be a little like giving up a small part of our goal. And, who knows, the people who we've gotten our information from might be exaggerating the risk of being robbed.
On the other hand, being safe is our main concern. Also, by taking the launcha, it would give us more time to explore the rainforest before and after the "dangerous" area. We could slow down and take our time. If there are places we find interesting, we would have the chance to stop, rather than being on a tight schedule. And besides, we will still complete the overall goal of crossing South America, just not completely under our own power. Even though this decision is still two weeks away, we need to make it now to budget our time between now and then. So, what do you think? Should we take the launcha or paddle the whole way? Make sure to explain your answer by leaving comments.