These next few days are all I have to iron out the kinks in my gear and pack it up. My mosquito netting needed some alteration to accommodate guy lines, the bike needed to be broken down and boxed, and the remaining gear divvied up into the appropriate weight bundles to minimize baggage fees.
I loaded all the gear I currently have, filled all my water containers, and weighed the whole package. Including the bike, rack, bags, and gear I have about a 82lb load. Once you add my weight (165lbs) the entire machine is quite a beast that likes to go in a straight line!
With one week to go it’s time to fatten up, stay healthy, get some rest, and relax! Over the past few months I have chipped away at the slew of preparatory tasks. With the exception of a few minor loose ends (waiting for the camera and dry bags to show up) I am ready to ship out to Belem.
I’ve created a short video featuring some of my prep work, photos, video, and sponsors.
I thought I sent my money order, passport, letter of intention, and bank statements into a bureacratic black hole in downtown Boston. My plan of attack was to storm down to the consulate and demand to speak with someone about this outrage…then again they hold the power to let me into Brazil. Alas, bright and early Saturday morning the two-page 90 day visa arrived on my porch.
After approximately 30 phone calls to the Atlanta, Miami, New York, Boston, and Chicago Consulate of Brazil it was determined that I should write a notarized letter stating my intentions and why I don’t need a roundtrip ticket.
I made my first visit to the travel nurse for this trip and already have a fever from the injections. Although no vaccine’s are required to enter Brazil for Americans (unless they have visited certain countries in the past 6 months) there are more than a few recommended. I’ll be receiving six!
I recently emailed Jeremy Wade of the TV show River Monsters on Animal Planet to ask his advice on certain factors when trekking in the Amazon. Jeremy is an accomplished angler and biologist with much experience in the Brazilian Amazon.
The process of getting a Brazilian Visa should be straight forward for most tourists. Simply present your round trip ticket, passport, pay the fee, hand over some little square photos and off you go. Luckily I live close to the Brazilian Consulate here in Boston as well. My one dilemma is that round trip ticket [...]
With about 90 days to go before lift off from Boston, I am well on my way planning and preparing for the trip.
