4th April 2007
We have a generator at Coco Beach and it isn't the most reliable
piece of kit. I was warned that it was a little ill a few weeks in
advance and that we would only have power in 3 hour instalments whilst the oil was changed for each session. Then it went
down, in a fluctuating current kind of way, with the lights
flickering and becoming brighter then flickering in a downward spiral
until there was no more.
Sporadic electricity lasted 2 days before the generator died. This
was as the last group of volunteers (vols) were leaving and we were
going into interphase (time in-between expeditions to get everything
sorted on-site). No electricity for the entire interphase time as a
new generator (rust bucket) arrived from the capital Tana (with the
patron) and surprisingly (!) didn't work. Had to go north to Morombe
to be fixed and eventually return. A trek every evening to the other
side of the village ensued to find a generator that was working
enough for us to power up computers to get a little work done.
Always limited communication here in Andavadoaka. We expected the new
volunteers to arrive on-site the evening 2nd. Expected a days delay,
so were not surprised to hear over the BLU radio system that the 3rd
was the actual arrival day. Staff on-site sat out on the veranda
eating Kapiki (peanuts), drinking beer and waiting expectantly.
Dinner arrived and was devoured and we eventually called it a night.
5am a little knock at my door. Oh! They have arrived through the
night! Nope only 2, who had spent 6 hours in a Zebu cart (cow pulled
cart) to get to Andavadoaka to inform us that the truck bringing the
volunteers here had broken down about 2.5 hours drive away.
5am then was time for my day to start:
Wake up local staff Thomas, send him off to
Laguna Blu (Italian resort down the coast) so see whether their
camion (truck) could go and pick up all our weary travellers.
Wake up Vola (another local staff member and researcher) to find out
whether the 4x4 used by some visiting scientists at her residence
(Chez Antoine - the generator source) could be used in the rescue
mission. Contacted all 4x4 owners in the village and at Coco Beach.
There were enough 4x4s to pick up everyone and their bags, but the
excuses arrived, 'I donít have a spare wheel', 'I canít go!' and 'No,
it is not possible' (a grotty old French tourist).
Borrowed a 4x4 and driver to arrange the Laguna Blu camion to go and
collect, however on arrival they explained that the vehicle was not
really travel worthy for such a distance and they feared it too would
break down. A wasted journey, again!
My backup plan was then in action: Contact the catholic mission to
see whether we could use their 4x4 to collect the volunteers luggage
and then send our two speed boats (vedettes) to collect all the
volunteers and staff left stranded in the Baie des Assassins. Drivers
at the ready (we had to borrow a boat from WCS as one of ours had
been beached before the drivers/captains left), staff in place and
water and bread to be taken to sustain the troops. All out at 10:30am.
1300 Sat- phone call from Bic with the vols., the boats are stuck at
the wrong village, the tide is low and they could not collect the
bread and water (which incidentally went missing permanently). No
chance to send any more resources out there, so instructed them to
wait for the tide to become more favourable and return at 16:30 with
the boats.
First boat, our fast Tson Tso, arrived at 18:00, second boat arrived,
passengers a little more bedraggled, everyone seemed in pretty good
spirits, had been well looked after, had had a nice evening camping
out on the beach and a very tasty turkey dinner! Excited to finally
be here, have a wash and start the adventure all over again
This will be a good expedition!!
Of course still no power until 2 days later, but we have volunteers now.
No comments:
Post a Comment