No record has to be beaten and don't look for any special performance because I don't want to be in a rush or even try to impress anybody. I simply want to continue to live my life in a nomadic way while trying to make the most of a unique eco-system where there is still so much to learn. I'm leaving for, I think, a minimum of 5-6 months and I won't just cross the Amazon. I am looking forward to discover the small rivers and lagoons along the major rivers, sharing my day with people I meet and who live their lives simply and nobly in what is called the lungs of the world. To find an occupation during the trip and especially to invest myself in what fascinates me, I intend to film a documentary that will integrate the expedition itself of course, but especially the fauna, flora, human being, the environment and the balance between all these actors. While trying to take advantage of this "ecological" concept, I want to see with my own eyes, talk with others and share ideas, perspectives and cultures.

Since I left Quito by bike and reached Tena, time flew and the days have spun full speed. Patricio Crausaz, a Swiss-Ecuadorian banker-mountaineer (sounds complicated I know) gave me a lot of good ideas and contacts to organize the beginning of my preparations. I also met Gabriel, who is a local guide, who brought me in the little village of Pusunos where I met Marco Charihuaman, who is the master-builder and architect of the boat. Lizbeth, owner of the cafe la Tortuga and a compatriot, helped me in different ways, by cooking great meals of course but above all by furnishing me, with her friend Andrea, with various essential accessories. Thanks to Patricio and the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador, I found Nicasio Valle which offered me his help, the use of his workshop and his skills to build an efficient propulsion system and rudder.

Things are going as they should in Latin America, slowly but surely. Everything fits into one another and I focused my energy to my sponsor's research willing to support me: Thanks to the ideas and the valuable help of Nadine Crausaz in Switzerland, I came in contact with Jerome Christen of the Municipality of Vevey - the town where I came to this beautiful world - who decided to support me in this "little crazy" project but which makes so much sense to me. With Jerome Christen, Pierre and Corinne, I could not find a better partner. They gave me their full support and helped me to be and stay myself. My sister has done an incredible job also. She's been supporting me since the beginning, when I left Switzerland 5 years ago. Of course, my parents too: Without my whole family, I certainly would not be where I am. It's a bit ironic because for sure they would be happier to have me with them in Switzerland and me too, but the distance does nothing and the very strong relationship we have gives me the psychological strength and allows me to continue getting through so many experiences, which are sometimes extreme. I forget a lot of fabulous people who helped me, as well those who made donations and others who gave me a hand, but I will come back to them later on, when I will have another opportunity ( I'm going to write a novel as an introduction if I continue... so many people have struggled for me). I want to thank everyone from my hearth, all the actors who support me and help me because such a project cannot be exist without the help of "the others". Even if I will find myself alone for many months and that my survival will depend on me only, it's thanks to you all that is possible, THANK YOU!

save a lot of energy and will have more time for what I want or need to do, according to needs, meetings, ideas. As long it was possible, I used the natural forest's resources but of course without harming it either. The boat is made of cedar, a very good wood and above all, a very light one. The entire project was assembled with the help of local artisans. A solar panel will provide the energy necessary for my energy needs for the documentary and photograph material (but this one is Japanese). It seems to me that obviously I have thought about everything but I know that when I willgive the first pedal stroke, I will remember what is missing. The first part will take me to Coca, that I should reach in 3-4 days. Coca, the last major town before Iquitos on the Rio Amazona, gives me the opportunity to make a first "real test" and I will be able to buy provisions and make the final adjustments before crossing the border and find myself on the peruvian Napo, very wild and isolated. After, and thanks to all my equipment, books and advices, I would be able to learn more intensely my new environment and try to live in the forest with respect and humility.

It's actually a very strange feeling for me who should be accustomed to important departures, as it's been happening for 5 years. But no one ever really gets used to leaving for the unknown and each time a little adrenaline takes you by the throat and remind you how you are small and insignificant while facing the nature and wild open spaces. Being on the Water in a Bici-Boat is also completly new to me and it adds a good dose of adrenaline (really nice but I would be nice to not feel it so strong the evening when trying to sleep). I know I will have to go through some rapids and probably the worst ones right at the beginning, before being able to have on hand on the Bici-Boat and find my new "routine".

These days have been busy with various local and national Equadorian's medias, tv, radio and newspapers and with the final preparations. I am pleasantly surprised by the way the local people react to the project. The people, like the ones I found in Africa in wild places, are a bit scared and don't necessarily know the ecosystem where they live in. Some of them hardly leave their town. Obviously they think I'm a bit crazy but I also receive a lot of sympathy. The idea of living in the Amazonian forest is fascinating and make them dream too. The concept of "ecology" is relatively new in Ecuador and here, right now, the main message is to learn to not throw litter and contaminate their eco-system. In Peru too but later in Brazil it will be different. Although it ss famous for its environmental problems in the Amazon, it became an active and effective partner in the global warming fight and reduces its pollution with heavy economic and social means.

I am always looking for a sponsor who would, with the city of Vevey, be the main sponsor and also with Meditec, who helps me too. A kind of stressful situation no to have all the money I need before leaving, but I hope to quickly find the last partner. The Murphey's law is part of the game as well, small problems like credit card limit, small power cable impossible to find, regional political problems that show up just in the last days before any major departure.

But to resume my current situation, it's just pure happiness! A dream wich came true. I had the chance to live so many dreams since I left to discover the world, nature and people while cycling, the opportunity to work 2 years as a safari guide in Namibia and now this crazy dream of crossing one of the most hostile environments on this fabulous and incredible planet while living on my bici-boat!

I will give some news in about a week in Coca and then whenever it will be possible and where I'll find a satellite internet connection. I send you all my best positive thoughts and vibes!

Ah, there it is, I think... yes, that's it: I am hearing the call of the forest, it is time for me to go...

Hasta luego y un gran abrazo,
Hervé