January 23, 2007
Day 482

Craig and I took a catamaran early this morning along with a dozen or so other tourists to the Iles du Salut (The Islands of Salvation), sometimes collectively known as "Devil's Islands," where the French had an infamous prison colony from 1852 to 1953. The islands… Read More »

January 22, 2007
Day 481

Alina found out for Craig and I that we could take a free tour of the rocket facilities this afternoon, but that it would have to be in French, which neither of us speaks. The only way they'll do a tour in English is if we bring a group… Read More »

January 21, 2007
Day 480

Today, Alina, Craig, and I drove to the capitol city of Cayenne for some trekking. We walked along a well-maintained trail on the far side of the city that led us past a dam, through a bamboo forest, and around an old fort.… Read More »

January 20, 2007
Day 479

We started hitching early this morning, but had some trouble getting anyone to stop for us. Finally, in the middle of the rain, a strange man with about $10,000 of camera equipment for his "hobby" took us into Kourou.

I tried calling Alina, our couchsurfing host in Kourou, but… Read More »

January 19, 2007
Day 478

We started the day walking to the junction where the roads going to Cayenne and Mana split. According to the map, this point was just outside of town. However, it turned out to be about a 10 KM walk with all of our gear, so we were pretty hot… Read More »

January 18, 2007
Day 477

We got up before dawn to find some activity at the port in Maripasoula. A boat full of empty fuel drums was about to leave, so we jumped in with them and took off. We were able to move much faster downstream, and plowing over the waterfalls was no… Read More »

January 17, 2007
Day 476

After breakfast I walked around Maripasoula to try to find the visitor's center only to find out that it didn't exist. I learned that most tourists who come here go to a lodge about thirty minutes up the river. I was able to find the owner of that lodge,… Read More »

January 16, 2007
Day 475

We indeed were awoken at 5:30 AM, about one hour before dawn. Soon thereafter, the four fat women began babbling again. This time, they mixed "Are you going into the jungle?" along with "I have one week of fuel..." and their usual deluge of Taki Taki as part of… Read More »

January 15, 2007
Day 474

Craig and I walked over to the jetty with boats leaving for Maripasoula in hopes of securing a passage there either today or tomorrow. On the way there, we had to pass the dozens of boat drivers heading to Albina. We practically had to beat them off of us… Read More »

January 14, 2007
Day 473

I got lucky this morning because, while the Saint Laurant prison is usually closed, today it was open because the trans-Atlantic rowboats were getting ready to leave town. As I entered the prison grounds, I saw them on display in the courtyard. They were full of… Read More »