British Exploring to the Amazon!

In the summer I was once again terrifically lucky to be part of the British Exploring Society – This time, the Amazon expedition to ther Manu jungle in South East Peru. British Exploring is such a wonderful organisation – dedicated to getting to the most remote and beautiful parts of the world – tough expeditions, but designed to bring the best out of the Young Explorers who attend. We had 3 weekedns of training – making sure everyone understood what was ahead of them, and giving the right amount of information to allow those who want to take their scientific knowledge further to do so. The leader team consisted of adventure leaders, skilled in the talents required for leading people on expeditions – science leaders, who brought their own knowledge to bear so brilliantly in terms of jungle, insects, trees, rivers etc – and media leaders.

The expedition (Wellies to combat the snake threat!)

I dont know if you have ever been to the far reaches of South America – but I can tell you it’s a damned long way! But what a fun journey! Hours on an aeroplane to Cusco (changing flights in Madrid and then Lima), then hours in mini-buses to get to the river head, then an hour and half in a boat, then a slog up the hill to Base camp. I shalln’t go into too much detail about the expedition – that is being written elsewhere, but my role as photographer allowed me to try to capture the whole thing. I took my Nikon D3s and most of my lenses, and my Fujifilm X100. 2 x flashes, tripod, lighting stands and triggers. Lots of batteries of course (but being warm in climate, the batteries lasted so well!) I also took a light-box – a small translucent box that, with my 2 x flashes and triggers could turn a tiny part of the jungle into a studio. I didn’t realise how effective this would be, but boy, it was effective! I now wish I had a macro lens with me (of course I needed a macro with ALL those insects!)…next time!