AROUND THE NEXT BEND by BERNIE KATCHOR
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THIS IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT....
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A JOURNEY BY SAILBOAT THROUGH THE RIVERS OF VENEZUELA AND GUYANA
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Illustrated with 96 photographs by the author.
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Bernie and Yvonne Katchor have been adventuring and exploring for 44 years aboard their sailboats
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‘Around the next Bend’ is the beguiling story of their very favourite but testing seven-month journey of fulfilment and challenge.
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This daunting expedition, along the rivers of Guyana and Venezuela, has many difficulties and dangers. The journey begins by going into the difficult mouth of the Macareo River on the northeast coast of Venezuela. Here for a month warm meaningful contact is made with primitive Warao Indians who live in river houses. Hundreds of bird species are documented by Yvonne.
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At the source of the Macareo is the mighty Orinoco River down which the couple eventually head towards the Caribbean Sea. Immediately before this massive swirling river meets the ocean is the Barima River. This river crosses the border between Venezuela and Guyana giving access to ten Guyanese rainforest rivers; each one different with its own personality and people.
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They explore as far as 500 kilometres upstream often travelling where few have ever been, meeting many peoples rarely, if ever, visited by Caucasians certainly not ones arriving on a sailboat. In Venezuela communications with Amerindian tribes was challenging for the couple due to language but in Guyana the Indians spoke perfect English giving access to in depth discussions.
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Months of quality time living with almost pygmy ‘primitive’ people gives the author a deep insight and clear understanding of their culture, beliefs, hunting methods and delicious foods. (A local recipe is before each chapter.) The vastly diverse flora and fauna when interpreted by these Indians captivates.
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The author demonstrates a gentle discourse with all they meet and his Australian sense of humour predominates.
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