02-Nov-2013 -- The planning to visit the 1S 57W confluence started in 2002 when I was invited to move to Porto Trombetas, a small town erected by a bauxite mining company in the middle of Amazon Forest. I had already read about the Degree Confluence Project and, just after the invitation, I looked for the nearest confluence to plan my first visit.

Two years later, in 2004, I accepted the invitation and I moved, with my family, to Porto Trombetas. In the beginning of my new life I was very enthusiastic about the visit but time goes on and… after 11 years I have found a good team to join me in this adventure.

The team was composed by Marlon, Darley, Carmem, Marielson, Mari, and me. The planned visit to the confluence was a two days journey split in: a 12 hour trip by ship up Trombetas river, a 11 km bike trip and a 600 m incursion into the Amazon Forest to reach the confluence.

The 1S 57W confluence is in a National Biological Reserve. To be authorized to move to the confluence we had to ask for permission to Brazilian Environmental Agency and also to the chef of the indigene tribe that controls the lands around the confluence. After having granted all the authorizations we contracted a ship for the long trip up the river, bought all the supplies for breakfasts, lunches, and dinner, revised the bikes and prepared all the other stuff necessary for our health, safety, and a little bit of comfort.

The ship trip started at 23:58 on November 1, 2013 and we arrived to Cachoeira Porteira at 11:50 on November 2, 2013. After having lunch we left the very small village at 13:00, by bike, for about an hour's trip. The incursion into the forest took us about half an hour in very dense vegetation.

The forest was very beautiful and seemed to be untouched. Though we have got a good precision, 1 m from GPS+Glonass systems, the very high humidity and absence of good light have prevented us from taking very good pictures. We have uploaded what we have got!

Thank you, Team! It was an honor to share this moment with you all!

In the Reserva Biológica do Rio Trombetas.