15-Dec-2007 -- This is was our third attempt at this confluence and we were determined to be successful this time. During our attempt in 2004 we tried to approach from the east and north without much success. In 2002 we had tried from the west and only got within about 4km. We decided to try it again from the west.

Driving up from the south we noticed that the road had improved in the last 5+ years. This paved road took us to within about 4.5km from the confluence where we found a paved road heading east. Within a hundred meters and after crossing a river we recognized our surroundings: We had been here in 2002, but had to turn around right after the bridge because of construction. At the time the villagers had told us that there was no road towards the east from here. This time there was no construction and we continued on through the village. At the other edge of the village the pavement ended and we found ourselves on a dirt road. The road was rather rutted, but no problem for our high-clearance Hilux truck. After crossing several little creeks we finally came to a crossing that was beyond the capabilities of our borrowed 2WD truck. So about 2km from the confluence we parked and put on our hiking boots.

On foot we followed a farm road into a little valley until we were about 0.3km from the confluence. Here the road turned away from our direction, but a little path pointed towards the confluence. Finally, at just 120m from the confluence we entered a steep hill that had been used for planting corn. Climbing up the hill we could see the effects of deforestation for agriculture: there was quite a bit of erosion on the hill side.

The confluence is located close to the top of a steep hill that had been completely cleared of the natural forest. At the time of our visit there were only weeds growing, but elsewhere in the valley the cleared land was used for corn growing. As can be seen on the photos, most of the slopes in the valley of the confluence had been cleared for farming. It might be interesting to come back in a few years and see how the valley is doing.