The set up here is lovely and spacious with the small cabins spread over the open ground (which is covered in Laterite in a gravel like form) interspersed around the edges with huge old mango trees. There is an absolute copious plethora of mangoes here at the moment :D it is fantastic. There are many different types of mangoes too making it ever more fun to pick them, since I have no idea what each one will be like.
Sorry for running out like that I had to grab some mozzie spray. Here we use MOZIPEL - Extra Strength
Modeled beautifully by Stefi. Also stolen from Stefis camera :P
I stay in the Trust House (used for volunteers etc) which is the other large building, it has a room at each end and big open area in the middle.
I am lucky in that my room has a double bed (what a treat!), whereas the other room as has 2 singles. It is a pretty big room with a big desk and KRs radio (more about the crazy radio later). This room is connected to my bathroom which is fine, however the light isnt very bright so at night im usually showering in almost darkness - always an adventure.
I share the Trust House and otter duties with two chicks I already consider my friends. There is Stefi who is a vet from Italy, she has been skiing since about age 4 and used to have to ski to school...I know how freaking awesome is that Robertshawe Gang!! Stefi came here with Lucy to spend some time here as a vet and help the otters and resident dogs and cats with anything from worming to neutering the locals :D. Stefi is one of those rare people you meet who is just a beautiful person and offers her help, her ear or anything she can, anytime :).
Stefi being all vet like, she had just come back from the outstation where a sick cow was killed and so had gone to take samples. In the picture she is labelling the plastic jar with its sample contents - lung, heart, lymphnodes etc which were stored in alcohol :D.
Ana is Chilean and Equadorian but more recently has spent years living in both Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands...which is mad! I have learnt that whilst she can seem pretty cruisey and relaxed, there is a sharp, fast and wicked wit hiding that will have you in hysterics haha. Together we have been taking care of Buddy and the kids and helping...or hindering one anothers sanity along the way.
Again stolen from Stefis pics, woops. This is Ana (left) and Diane looking after the kids during their 1130am feeding down at the 2nd landing. Bel is by the log and Philip is down in the right hand corner.
Diane McTurk is the owner and internationally recognised Giant Otter Lady. Pat is a tough woman with mean sense of humour and a quick tongue who takes care of anything and everything about the place. Bandit is her charge...or she is Bandits...Either way he listens to her when she says no! Which is handy when he comes to check us out at the dinner table haha.
The local Amerindians are the staff here. They take care of the cooking, laundry, boat trips, guided walk etc. They are a beautiful, soft spoken people (the ones I have met so far) who laugh readily, get to know them and they are a cheeky bunch. In this area - the Northern Rupununi Savannah they are part of the Makushi, the south (separated by the Kanuku Mountains) are the Wapashan. Then below them at the very bottom of Guyana are the WaiWai, a smaller more secretive bunch.
The Otter House which was put up with the help of a zoo from the states and a bunch of youth volunteers in 1998 is on the edge of the buildings here and where the otters spend their time when they are not down at the river with us. The river is a few hundred metres away (in wet season I am told it is much much much closer!), so when we take Buddy down we go to the first landing which requires navigating down a steep set of widely spaced stairs - which he does with ease, I still take it slow. This puts you on a nice large sandbank parallel to the river. The kids however are still too small to walk all the way (they also aren't old enough to hold up their tails when walking so it drags and gets beaten up) so they are taken in the pet crate which we put in the wheelbarrow (carrying it is not a comfortable option) and taken to the second landing which is down a little inlet that opens out to a little lagoon. This is great for the kids as it is out of the current and away from the caiman!
I think there are plans in the air for repairs/upgrades to the otter house - very exciting.
Hammocks.
I learnt very quickly on the first day that Hammocks are an integral part of life here, a necessity even. They are one of mans best creations. I have had one lying about at home for a few years but never got around to putting it up, this however was when I was a young, naive pup who didn't know how to appreciate a good Hammock Time. Everyday we get Hammock Time after lunch before the 230pm feeding...it is swinging, relaxing golden time. The first time I spent a substantial amount of an afternoon in a hammock I felt like I was still swinging when I went to bed that night, Classic.
Notice the thong tan - coming along very nicely. Also contributed to by dirty feet...they are pretty much permanently that way haha...yes I do shower everyday thankyou very much!
Next installment - my first 2 weeks at KR.
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