Three days later…………….. At the request of the Group tour leader, the guest luggage was loaded on Karanambu red rover) to be delivered to Rock view(so it could be in guest rooms when they arrived) by Diane, who was on her way to a meeting at Bina Hill. Prior to D's departure I heard her ask one of the people to please contact another village to send a guide meet Shirley Humphrey and the other 2 ladies at the hunt oil road. (I assumed this was done, and with all the other confusion, I did not follow up on this till later in the afternoon)
Red Rover departs Karanambu promptly at 6:30 with guest luggage on the roof.
7:30 am, (after breakfast) guests depart for Genip landing headed to Rock View in 3 boats
approx: 10: 30 In rides one of the Caiman house guys who had gone with our LandRover on a borrowed motor bike) with message from Diane to email RV informing them they were stuck in black mud, and guests luggage might not be there when they arrived. had staff here radio l point ranch to see if they could come and assist, also skyped Rock View asking for help from their end.
Point ranch informs us, their truck is in the savannah and they are not sure when they can get there.
Mid afternoon after having been off the air for several hours due to low batteries I learn that Diane had in fact had gotten unstuck, and gone on to the meeting. I ask that Diane call us and let us know her route of return so we would know where to look if she didn’t show up.
In the mean time the 3 ladies who were scheduled to arrive appox. 4 were not here yet, at which time I ask staff member if she had gotten hold of the guide to meet them? I was only then informed that she had not been able to contact anyone.
6:07pm, 3 ladies drive in with some local guy they finally found to lead them here.
Mean while still no word from Diane, I go to bed at 10:30 only to learn the next morning she had arrived home around midnight safe more than a little tired but not too much worse for ware.
Saturday
In the Morning while we are discussing the problems she had encountered the day the day before, I relate an incident which is totally unrelated at that point.
Seems the resident dog was lying in the front compound about mid day napping in the sun, the only strange thing was: here is a black vulture standing over the dog, eyeing a prospective meal. Of course I figure the way the week had been going, that was all I needed for the damn dog to have died in the front yard, so I promptly call the dog, and after a minute she raises her head much to the chagrin of the vulture, who left in search of a more likely meal.
Then there is a frantic call on the radio for Karanambu, seems John Macedo , who had been our knight in a working vehicle a few days earlier was to come back to Karanambu to discuss some business with Diane, but he was urgently needed back at his ranch for some emergency.
Just as Diane was getting into the Red Rover to cut him off at the pass with the message, John Drives in, we promptly relay the message, and it’s back on the computer to try to get messages to Lethem that he has arrived. In the mean time Lethem Malaria camp is raised on the Radio, (don’t even ask what they have to do with anything, seems they were the only ones who could relay a message at that point) They call John’s wife, only to learn the problem at his ranch was -----a flock of vulture circling over his vehicle-- Seem, he had left the vehicle he usually drives at the ranch unbeknownst to anyone, and driven another vehicle to Karanambu. Message was passed that he was in fact alive and well and would return to see if his black vehicle had indeed died.
Post Note: Black Vulture Coragyp atratus this is the large black bird often seen soaring looking for meals, now bear in mind with a head the size of a golf ball, the brain capacity of this feathered garbage collector can’t be that of higher animals, but really, sunning dogs, and black Toyota pickups?
Later in the evening we receive an email, “are you ready for this, seems there will be a charter plane landing at compound air strip on Monday, with 6 Russians, who want lunch and a river trip, before flying back to Georgetown……Well of course why not, heck we could use a little excitement. At the same time we also receive an announcement we may or may have a Turk also visiting, not sure when he will arrive but will have to do another Gimep transfer, may or may not be over the weekend or Monday……
Monday
Russians land, eat, see no animals due to the boat trip being in the middle of the day and fly off in a cloud of dust 5 hours later. The turk arrived in Anni via the bus, about the same time the Russians landed here, and had to be informed there could be no transfer until afternoon due to boat availability, which did not make him happy so he opted to stay at Rock View, ( please pay careful attention to post notes at the end of all this )which may have been just as well since most of the Russians chose not to speak what little English they knew, and reports were the Turk spoke even less English. What with my limited ability in languages……………..what can I say, this has not been a spin, more like a tornado.
Post note:
Wednesday morning dawns, with emails checked and it seems our Turkish friend who is staying at Rock View has sold our esteemed neighbor on real money saving system, a Bullshit machine no less…( Bio-gas).. only takes 4 gal. of BS along with 4 gallon of water to produce liquefied BS, which produces methane gas which will save having to buy lp gas for cooking. Only thing I’ve yet to work out is how the hell do you eat the bull that is providing the gas to cook himself??????
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Huston We May Have a Problem????
Please bear with this, understand that this post came directly off a skype conversation via the internet....like I've said before I don't have to make this stuff up it just happens this way.
March 4th 2009 initially contacting the booking agent via skype chat
9:13:48 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Good Morning, we urgently need to
know the ETA for the charter bringing in the Orintholiday people, we are
unable to contact air services on the radio, also ask which air strip
they will be using please
[9:26:36 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: appox: 12:30 to 12:45
[9:27:38 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok I am to assume this will be the
main airstrip or will they be able to land at the compound
[9:27:50 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: correct
[9:28:17 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Main airstrip it is then, will be
there with bells on
[9:28:34 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: hold for weather report
[9:30:12 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: 85% high clouds, mostly light at
4,000ft. vis. 12miles and mostly bright sunshine
[9:39:11 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: weather report passed to
ASL...Krishna
[9:46:46 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Hang on urgent problem
[9:47:21 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: We have a real problem, our vehicle went down last night on the way back from Lethem, and as yet they have not got it back up and running,
[9:47:54 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Caiman house guys who was transporting our mechanics blew the motor in his vehicle in the middle of the night while doing a run for us.
[9:48:52 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Diane is now trying to contact katoka
and Point Ranch to see if there is a vehicle available, if not Charter will have to land at the compound airstrip, we have no repeat, NO way of
transporting from the main airstrip.
[9:50:53 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: the only other option is to get hold
of yupakari and see if they can arrange motor bikes to transport these
folks from the main air strip, (Yupakari village 12 miles from Karanambu)
[9:51:53 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: will these people accept a ride on a
motor bike if all else fails.
[9:54:15 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: hold (Rang the phone via skype)
[9:54:34 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: no problem, just needed to get your
attention
[9:56:29 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ASL cannot give a
confirmation on that right now. Flight enroute to Kaieteur Falls. They
need to speak with the pilot to get that confirmation. I am not 100%
sure the caravan can land at the compound
[9:57:26 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i suggest you speak with
Yupukari to see if they have vehicle on standby as i am not sure we will
get the flight to land
[9:58:03 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: can you please respond as
i also have a number of other urgent things i am sorting
[9:58:11 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok here is another option, they can
land at anni,
[9:58:34 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: but that is further away.
[9:58:42 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: did you check with
Yupykari for a vehicle
[9:58:44 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: we can do a late transfer, we have to
wait for ashley to get back to yupakari and bring down our gas from the vehicle broke down.
[9:59:11 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: no vehicles in yupakari, all in lethem
[9:59:45 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: is there no other
vehicles around
[10:00:01 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: could a vehicle not come
from RV? rather than diverting the flight
[10:00:10 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: we left our gas on the truck last night, but ashley can bring down by boat and we can do an late afternoon
transfer, or Rock View could do the land transfer from there to Karanambu. (boat transfer is approx. 2 hours)
[10:00:52 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Diane is still trying to find a vehicle from one of the outlying villages, or ranches
[10:00:57 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: but who pays for all this?
[10:01:11 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: well let keep trying that option
[10:01:40 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: if we can't get a vehicle, will they be willing to ride motor bikes if we can get
[10:01:56 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: otherwise, will have to be the Ginep and we'll have to eat that cost
[10:02:24 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: which ever way it is, we will have
to absorb the cost of transfers.
[10:13:51 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Teri, Colin has no vehicle to come
here, but will standby for Ginep if they can't land here, that's the best we can do at this point
[11:04:51 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Update, Diane has spoken to the pilot and he is checking with base as to the landing here at Karanambu , things may be looking up, otherwise, Colin is standing by for late afternoon transfer from Ginep.
[11:05:38 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: yes, i just passed another message to ASl and awaiting reply.
[11:05:51 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: how is Diane speaking to the pilot? or is she talking to ASL?
[11:06:13 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: : not sure think she has him on direct radio
[11:06:38 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: she's on the radio right now, so will keep you posted
[11:06:48 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: k
[11:09:29 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok Diane is asking if you can call ASL and find out if the pilot has contacted them as yet, she spoke to him direct, he has landed here before, but needed clearance from the office.
[11:09:46 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: checking
[11:09:52 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: she is unable to raise them again on
the radio, lots of traffic on the air.
[11:19:40 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ok the flight CANNOT land on the compound
[11:20:07 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: do you have the bikes to transport the guest from the airstrip? It is going to be too long of a transfer from Ginep
[11:20:41 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: No, not sure hang on a minute and
let me check back with mike. (he’s in Yupakari 12 miles off)
[11:23:02 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: I'm not so sure there are 5 motor
bikes yupakari, since several are running up and down trying to get parts to vehicles, at any rate have contacted mike to see if they can do, if not, it will have to be Ginep with a 3:30 pickup
[11:24:22 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: what time will you get a reply as the flight is schedule to leave Kaie Falls soon
[11:25:44 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: put the luggage on a horse or something
[11:25:54 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i do not particularly want the flight to go to Annai.
[11:25:57 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: r u there
[11:26:00 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: please respond
[11:27:18 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: yes was just relaying info to Diane, my damn horses are in Lethem still, bullocks are out on strike, cart broke down. still waiting for mike to respond about motor bikes available
[11:28:57 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Diane is still trying to chase down another ranch’s vehicle who is out looking for fish, if anything else can go wrong, I don't want to know about it.
[11:29:36 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: hang on a sec
[11:31:13 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: k
[11:32:41 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ok i am confirming this
flight is coming to Karanambu
[11:34:25 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok that's the only way I can
guarantee they will get here at this point, unless we do the ginep,
Diane is unable to raise yupakari, and mike is not responding to his chat either
[11:35:37 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Diane says the pilot she spoke with said he had landed here before, and airstrip at the compound is ready to go.
[11:35:54 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: yes he has but not with the Caravan. It was an islander
[11:36:22 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok, well will hope for the best,
[11:36:31 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: so what is the decision
[11:37:10 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok only option at this time is either here at the compound or anni, we have no transport from main airstrip.
[11:37:30 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: do u not have the motor bikes
[11:37:32 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: unable to contact yupakari even on radio, no vehicles
[11:37:47 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: what about the nearby area
[11:37:49 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: no we have no motor bikes here at Karanambu,
[11:38:16 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: these people are not going to be happy going to RV
[11:38:17 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: unable to contact any of the outlying villages on the radio, our best shot was yupakari
[11:39:53 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: well don't see any choice other than another location and come back here later in the trip, we have give it our best shot, if they don't want to land the plane here, it's either that or walk through the heat to the compound, (4 miles) and I know they wont like that, long hot walk.
[11:40:39 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: it not that he does not w ant to land...the aircraft is too big to land on the compound...i have not known the caravan to ever land at the compound
[11:40:46 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: this is an absolute disaster
[11:41:11 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: hold a sec
[11:42:40 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ]well can't hold anymore, i just told ASl to send the flight to RV.
[11:42:53 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: will arrange lunch at RV
[11:42:59 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: you will have to sort that out too
[11:43:14 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok Diane says caravans have landed here before, it not the landing it may be the taking off, but we can extend the strip if need be
[11:44:01 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: more bad news, mike's bike is down, not finding bikes in yupakari, so it's either here or anni. bottom line.
[11:44:31 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: like i said i already told the flight to land at RV.
[11:44:58 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i will speak with colin and organize the lunch which Karanambu will have to sort out, or would you prefer to speak with Colin
[11:47:00 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok Diane says it is not a problem
taking off empty, so they could still land here if you can get them on their way
[11:47:45 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: in other words the caravan can land
here with load, it just can't take off with a load. the caravan has
landed on the compound strip before.
[11:47:45 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: Pat ASL WILL NOT LAND at the Ranch
[11:47:58 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: if Diane would like to
speak with them fine....i have tried all i can
[11:48:23 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: the flight is going to Annai
[11:48:39 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok, will let colin know that we will do the ginep transfer at 3:30 this way they will be here before dark.
[11:48:43 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: please make arrangements with Colin re lunch etc
[11:49:07 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok roger flight landing in anni, for lunch, ginep transfer at 3:30
[11:49:17 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: done
[11:49:50 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: thanks
[11:52:39 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok message sent to RV. 9 guest for lunch there, they are to check with you as to ETA in Anni
[11:54:58 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Teri, we are really sorry about all this mess, seems when it rains, everyone get the shits, and this mess has been a real pile of it. hopefully our vehicle will be back up and
running sometime today
[11:57:07 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: well Karanambu will have a lot of disgruntled guest to deal with
[11:57:41 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: well it probably won't be the first time, but then again, we do the best we can under the circumstances you're in the middle of no where, and vehicles do break down,
[11:58:17 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: anyway i have to go,
please email me an uodate later
[11:58:42 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i agree but we shoudl have had a back up knowing a group was coming today
[11:58:44 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: will keep you posted, not to worry, when we get them here, they'll forget all the hassle
[12:00 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: Hold the line help has arrived, send plane to Karanambu
[12:01:38 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: you could have solved this problem earlier by getting a vehicle from RV or Bina hill to Karanambu and just handle the short transfer
[12:02:56 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: did you see what I just told you we have an unexpected vehicle who is willing to help headed to our airstrip, will you please call air services and let them come on here, forget anni
[12:03:44 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: what?
[12:03:59 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: pat this is confusing.
[12:04:12 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: call the damn captain of the plane and tell him we have a vehicle waiting there,
[12:04:20 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: can you please clarify that you now want the flight to land at KRA
[12:04:40 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: our vehicle is headed that way, as well as another Rupununi savior who will help out, (John Macedo)
[12:05:23 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: Yes, send to Karanambu, we have solved the problem, vehicles will be there to meet the plane,
[12:05:33 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i am trying
[12:05:34 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: holdi am trying
[12:05:34 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: hold
[12:06:26 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ok message being passed right now.
[12:06:31 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: hold for a confirmation
[12:06:42 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: roger
[12:14:01 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: Pat flight is still on the ground at Kaieteur...Awaiting a confirmation from ASl that the message is passed to the pilot.
[12:14:06 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: will keep you posted.
[12:14:41 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok please tell them to land at karanambu airstrip, vehicles will be waiting.
[12:15:37 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: also Diane would like to know eta of karanambu when they leave the falls
[12:21:52 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: lost our connection for a minute sorry
teri, any word on what's happening,
email received from ASL 12:27pm
Hello Patricia,
This is roshini from Air Services Ltd. The aircraft would be landing on
the large airstrip. It is estimated to land there at 1:15 pm.
[12:43:48 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: so says the email I just received from them, we have vehicles standing by. please call them to confirm one more time.
[12:45:19 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: yes this information is correct
[12:45:28 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: plesae advise when they land
[12:47:14 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: will do, our vehicle just arrived here and will be returning to air strip other vehicle already there
[12:57:52 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: red Rover headed back to airstrip with Ms Diane, to collect guest, lunch awaits (whew)
1:20pm, ASL caravan circles Karanambu compound strip twice, (watching
what help is here and not at the main strip run crazy) then flies off!!!!
1:25 Vehicles arrive compound with guest in tow
[1:31:19 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: they're heeeere!
[2:04:47 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: Ok Teri, the Eagle has landed, guest all shown rooms, no one seems worse for wear except for us of course, but all looks good, hopefully we won't have a replay of this anyways soon, thanks for the help, pat is off and clear, doing the hostessing thing.
March 4th 2009 initially contacting the booking agent via skype chat
9:13:48 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Good Morning, we urgently need to
know the ETA for the charter bringing in the Orintholiday people, we are
unable to contact air services on the radio, also ask which air strip
they will be using please
[9:26:36 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: appox: 12:30 to 12:45
[9:27:38 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok I am to assume this will be the
main airstrip or will they be able to land at the compound
[9:27:50 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: correct
[9:28:17 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Main airstrip it is then, will be
there with bells on
[9:28:34 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: hold for weather report
[9:30:12 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: 85% high clouds, mostly light at
4,000ft. vis. 12miles and mostly bright sunshine
[9:39:11 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: weather report passed to
ASL...Krishna
[9:46:46 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Hang on urgent problem
[9:47:21 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: We have a real problem, our vehicle went down last night on the way back from Lethem, and as yet they have not got it back up and running,
[9:47:54 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Caiman house guys who was transporting our mechanics blew the motor in his vehicle in the middle of the night while doing a run for us.
[9:48:52 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Diane is now trying to contact katoka
and Point Ranch to see if there is a vehicle available, if not Charter will have to land at the compound airstrip, we have no repeat, NO way of
transporting from the main airstrip.
[9:50:53 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: the only other option is to get hold
of yupakari and see if they can arrange motor bikes to transport these
folks from the main air strip, (Yupakari village 12 miles from Karanambu)
[9:51:53 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: will these people accept a ride on a
motor bike if all else fails.
[9:54:15 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: hold (Rang the phone via skype)
[9:54:34 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: no problem, just needed to get your
attention
[9:56:29 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ASL cannot give a
confirmation on that right now. Flight enroute to Kaieteur Falls. They
need to speak with the pilot to get that confirmation. I am not 100%
sure the caravan can land at the compound
[9:57:26 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i suggest you speak with
Yupukari to see if they have vehicle on standby as i am not sure we will
get the flight to land
[9:58:03 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: can you please respond as
i also have a number of other urgent things i am sorting
[9:58:11 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok here is another option, they can
land at anni,
[9:58:34 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: but that is further away.
[9:58:42 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: did you check with
Yupykari for a vehicle
[9:58:44 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: we can do a late transfer, we have to
wait for ashley to get back to yupakari and bring down our gas from the vehicle broke down.
[9:59:11 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: no vehicles in yupakari, all in lethem
[9:59:45 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: is there no other
vehicles around
[10:00:01 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: could a vehicle not come
from RV? rather than diverting the flight
[10:00:10 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: we left our gas on the truck last night, but ashley can bring down by boat and we can do an late afternoon
transfer, or Rock View could do the land transfer from there to Karanambu. (boat transfer is approx. 2 hours)
[10:00:52 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Diane is still trying to find a vehicle from one of the outlying villages, or ranches
[10:00:57 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: but who pays for all this?
[10:01:11 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: well let keep trying that option
[10:01:40 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: if we can't get a vehicle, will they be willing to ride motor bikes if we can get
[10:01:56 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: otherwise, will have to be the Ginep and we'll have to eat that cost
[10:02:24 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: which ever way it is, we will have
to absorb the cost of transfers.
[10:13:51 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Teri, Colin has no vehicle to come
here, but will standby for Ginep if they can't land here, that's the best we can do at this point
[11:04:51 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Update, Diane has spoken to the pilot and he is checking with base as to the landing here at Karanambu , things may be looking up, otherwise, Colin is standing by for late afternoon transfer from Ginep.
[11:05:38 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: yes, i just passed another message to ASl and awaiting reply.
[11:05:51 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: how is Diane speaking to the pilot? or is she talking to ASL?
[11:06:13 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: : not sure think she has him on direct radio
[11:06:38 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: she's on the radio right now, so will keep you posted
[11:06:48 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: k
[11:09:29 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok Diane is asking if you can call ASL and find out if the pilot has contacted them as yet, she spoke to him direct, he has landed here before, but needed clearance from the office.
[11:09:46 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: checking
[11:09:52 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: she is unable to raise them again on
the radio, lots of traffic on the air.
[11:19:40 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ok the flight CANNOT land on the compound
[11:20:07 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: do you have the bikes to transport the guest from the airstrip? It is going to be too long of a transfer from Ginep
[11:20:41 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: No, not sure hang on a minute and
let me check back with mike. (he’s in Yupakari 12 miles off)
[11:23:02 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: I'm not so sure there are 5 motor
bikes yupakari, since several are running up and down trying to get parts to vehicles, at any rate have contacted mike to see if they can do, if not, it will have to be Ginep with a 3:30 pickup
[11:24:22 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: what time will you get a reply as the flight is schedule to leave Kaie Falls soon
[11:25:44 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: put the luggage on a horse or something
[11:25:54 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i do not particularly want the flight to go to Annai.
[11:25:57 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: r u there
[11:26:00 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: please respond
[11:27:18 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: yes was just relaying info to Diane, my damn horses are in Lethem still, bullocks are out on strike, cart broke down. still waiting for mike to respond about motor bikes available
[11:28:57 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Diane is still trying to chase down another ranch’s vehicle who is out looking for fish, if anything else can go wrong, I don't want to know about it.
[11:29:36 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: hang on a sec
[11:31:13 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: k
[11:32:41 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ok i am confirming this
flight is coming to Karanambu
[11:34:25 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok that's the only way I can
guarantee they will get here at this point, unless we do the ginep,
Diane is unable to raise yupakari, and mike is not responding to his chat either
[11:35:37 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Diane says the pilot she spoke with said he had landed here before, and airstrip at the compound is ready to go.
[11:35:54 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: yes he has but not with the Caravan. It was an islander
[11:36:22 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok, well will hope for the best,
[11:36:31 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: so what is the decision
[11:37:10 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok only option at this time is either here at the compound or anni, we have no transport from main airstrip.
[11:37:30 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: do u not have the motor bikes
[11:37:32 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: unable to contact yupakari even on radio, no vehicles
[11:37:47 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: what about the nearby area
[11:37:49 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: no we have no motor bikes here at Karanambu,
[11:38:16 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: these people are not going to be happy going to RV
[11:38:17 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: unable to contact any of the outlying villages on the radio, our best shot was yupakari
[11:39:53 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: well don't see any choice other than another location and come back here later in the trip, we have give it our best shot, if they don't want to land the plane here, it's either that or walk through the heat to the compound, (4 miles) and I know they wont like that, long hot walk.
[11:40:39 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: it not that he does not w ant to land...the aircraft is too big to land on the compound...i have not known the caravan to ever land at the compound
[11:40:46 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: this is an absolute disaster
[11:41:11 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: hold a sec
[11:42:40 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ]well can't hold anymore, i just told ASl to send the flight to RV.
[11:42:53 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: will arrange lunch at RV
[11:42:59 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: you will have to sort that out too
[11:43:14 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok Diane says caravans have landed here before, it not the landing it may be the taking off, but we can extend the strip if need be
[11:44:01 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: more bad news, mike's bike is down, not finding bikes in yupakari, so it's either here or anni. bottom line.
[11:44:31 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: like i said i already told the flight to land at RV.
[11:44:58 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i will speak with colin and organize the lunch which Karanambu will have to sort out, or would you prefer to speak with Colin
[11:47:00 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok Diane says it is not a problem
taking off empty, so they could still land here if you can get them on their way
[11:47:45 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: in other words the caravan can land
here with load, it just can't take off with a load. the caravan has
landed on the compound strip before.
[11:47:45 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: Pat ASL WILL NOT LAND at the Ranch
[11:47:58 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: if Diane would like to
speak with them fine....i have tried all i can
[11:48:23 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: the flight is going to Annai
[11:48:39 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok, will let colin know that we will do the ginep transfer at 3:30 this way they will be here before dark.
[11:48:43 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: please make arrangements with Colin re lunch etc
[11:49:07 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok roger flight landing in anni, for lunch, ginep transfer at 3:30
[11:49:17 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: done
[11:49:50 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: thanks
[11:52:39 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok message sent to RV. 9 guest for lunch there, they are to check with you as to ETA in Anni
[11:54:58 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: Teri, we are really sorry about all this mess, seems when it rains, everyone get the shits, and this mess has been a real pile of it. hopefully our vehicle will be back up and
running sometime today
[11:57:07 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: well Karanambu will have a lot of disgruntled guest to deal with
[11:57:41 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: well it probably won't be the first time, but then again, we do the best we can under the circumstances you're in the middle of no where, and vehicles do break down,
[11:58:17 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: anyway i have to go,
please email me an uodate later
[11:58:42 AM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i agree but we shoudl have had a back up knowing a group was coming today
[11:58:44 AM] Karanambu Lodge says: will keep you posted, not to worry, when we get them here, they'll forget all the hassle
[12:00 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: Hold the line help has arrived, send plane to Karanambu
[12:01:38 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: you could have solved this problem earlier by getting a vehicle from RV or Bina hill to Karanambu and just handle the short transfer
[12:02:56 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: did you see what I just told you we have an unexpected vehicle who is willing to help headed to our airstrip, will you please call air services and let them come on here, forget anni
[12:03:44 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: what?
[12:03:59 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: pat this is confusing.
[12:04:12 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: call the damn captain of the plane and tell him we have a vehicle waiting there,
[12:04:20 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: can you please clarify that you now want the flight to land at KRA
[12:04:40 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: our vehicle is headed that way, as well as another Rupununi savior who will help out, (John Macedo)
[12:05:23 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: Yes, send to Karanambu, we have solved the problem, vehicles will be there to meet the plane,
[12:05:33 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: i am trying
[12:05:34 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: holdi am trying
[12:05:34 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: hold
[12:06:26 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: ok message being passed right now.
[12:06:31 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: hold for a confirmation
[12:06:42 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: roger
[12:14:01 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: Pat flight is still on the ground at Kaieteur...Awaiting a confirmation from ASl that the message is passed to the pilot.
[12:14:06 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: will keep you posted.
[12:14:41 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: ok please tell them to land at karanambu airstrip, vehicles will be waiting.
[12:15:37 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: also Diane would like to know eta of karanambu when they leave the falls
[12:21:52 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: lost our connection for a minute sorry
teri, any word on what's happening,
email received from ASL 12:27pm
Hello Patricia,
This is roshini from Air Services Ltd. The aircraft would be landing on
the large airstrip. It is estimated to land there at 1:15 pm.
[12:43:48 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: so says the email I just received from them, we have vehicles standing by. please call them to confirm one more time.
[12:45:19 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: yes this information is correct
[12:45:28 PM] Wilderness Explorers Guyana says: plesae advise when they land
[12:47:14 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: will do, our vehicle just arrived here and will be returning to air strip other vehicle already there
[12:57:52 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: red Rover headed back to airstrip with Ms Diane, to collect guest, lunch awaits (whew)
1:20pm, ASL caravan circles Karanambu compound strip twice, (watching
what help is here and not at the main strip run crazy) then flies off!!!!
1:25 Vehicles arrive compound with guest in tow
[1:31:19 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: they're heeeere!
[2:04:47 PM] Karanambu Lodge says: Ok Teri, the Eagle has landed, guest all shown rooms, no one seems worse for wear except for us of course, but all looks good, hopefully we won't have a replay of this anyways soon, thanks for the help, pat is off and clear, doing the hostessing thing.
Leopard thongs and screaming reels
Yep it’s full moon time in the Rupununi again, and par for the course things are going crazy.
Ok 4:30 am, I’m awaken from a sound sleep by the scream of the reel….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz hell I’m not even dreaming about fishing, the fine young thing that was the dream will have to wait, Fish ON……… Never mind the fact that I’ve misplaced my torch lite, and all I have is the little reading lamp on the book I fell asleep with. Jump out of bed to see one Bandit, zipping across the floor with my broken 8wt. fly rod in tow. Whaaaa, hang on a minute Bandit, what broken fly rod, looks as though the ole gal has finally lost it.
Ok, so there was this fishing show film crew and host here a few days ago, this young thing was a real bubba as will be shown later in this story. Anyone who knows me or should know you never lend your favorite 8wt to someone you don’t know, hell I don’t even loan that rod to good friends. Mainly because they invariably wind up catching some record breaker on MY ROD.
Anyway I had, notice I said Had an extra 8wt. fly rod and reel which I agreed to loan along with some most wonderful flies. The long and short of it was the fool broke about 6 inches off the tip, brought it back agreeing to replace with a rod of my choice. SWEET!!!!!
Now, I make it a point to mash down the barb on all the flies I use, and of course take the fly off the line when returning home. This I neglected to do, when the broken rod was returned instead I just placed the broken rod up against the wall, the fly which happened to be one of my better gurglers, (a foam job that floats on top of the water)still attached to the line. The film crew and host of the fishing show the “Bubba” had spent the day fishing, a few nice fish caught, the night catching caiman. Next day there was to be a charter flight into here at Karanambu to pick up the guys and transport to the next destination. Now bear in mind that these guys are from the US, and don’t know the meaning of packing light, (300Lbs. baggage left behind) small Cessna lands at the compound, and what is pilot met by????? 6’ 8” camera man in a leopard pattern thong, waving a bow and arrow yelling buga buga or something of the sort. Once again, let me remind you I don’t have to make up this stuff , it just happens.
Only after being reassured that this fool in the leopard thong would put on proper cloths and act half way human were they loaded up with camera gear, I’m left with two state of the art graphite spinning rods and newest reels, a couple of lures, I’m happy, and we promise to have the rest of their baggage on the charter that will arrive tomorrow to pick it up….this is Saturday, and they leave for the states on Monday.
Sunday am, we are notified that the charter has been canceled so the scheduled TGA flight will pick up the baggage on Monday when they drop off 2 unsuspecting guest…..no problem……right…..
Monday morning 4am….One Shefishs is jarred awake by the sound of a screaming reel.
But before I start that saga, let me tell you a little about my furry roommate. He’s maybe 6-7 months old, wears a little black mask over his eyes, and is 5lb. of holy terror in the form of a crab eating raccoon, who of course was rescued by Diane McTurk, taker in of all beloved beast. Said raccoon was bottle fed until he started eating the nipples and she decided he had enough teeth to eat fish, shoes, computer cords, and world famous gurgler flies. This darling little creature of course is nocturnal, so he sleeps most of the day and raises hell most of the night that is until one Shefishs decided he should be kept awake most of the day so that at least he would sleep some at night. After much discussion of the advantages of letting me keep him in my room at night so she could get some much needed rest, Diane finally agreed that he could do some overnighters with me. This usually takes the form of me threatening to make a coon skin cap out of him before he sees the light and goes to sleep, only to wake about 4am every morning and start his daily hell raising. You see the picture yet?
That’s right, he gets the damn fly in his toothy little mouth, barb not mashed down for easy removal, me with no proper light, no pliers and it’s still dark out side. So there I am tying to find something to cut the line at least, this critter biting me and the hook, I run outside in my night shirt yelling for help, and all I can raise is hell. Finally one of the kitchen staff comes in, to start coffee, hell I ain’t even had a cigarette yet, and your worried about coffee. Just get somebody here with a pair of pliers. One of the boys finally comes to my rescue, we get the pliers, the hook removed, no blood except where the little devil bit me. One bandit released, to scamper off looking for something else to get into.
Still Monday morning
Several hours later, radio message is received that the local health team is to be in the near by village to do inoculations, and we learn we’re out of cooking gas in the staff kitchen, I’m informed I should notify the guys who are going to Lethem to hire a vehicle and we’ll pay half and get the stuff here….in the mean time 3/ 4 of the staff take off in our landrover to get their shots…..we’re trying to find out what time the flight to pick up the luggage will land because the rover will have to be back to pick up guest coming in on that flight. Now bear in mind this is all before 8am. Guy in the village are notified, never mind, we’ll take your vehicle, send the driver back in a boat, so he can use the other rover to pick up guest….oops…wrong, your vehicle doesn’t have enough fuel, your driver will drive back, and we’ll just get cooking gas. Ok….now the guest that is here wants to go fishing….NO PROBLEM> Off we go, I THINK ALL IS WELL…..
We arrive back at the lodge after a leisure morning of fishing….to find Diane having Kittens….the land rover is not back, the film crew baggage has to be at the air strip, the radio is going crazy, seems good ole Bubba left his pass port in one of the bags, and he couldn’t leave the country on the flight back to the states early this am. We have to get the bags on the plane. Ok so we all get out and push the old green bomb to start, the guest who just came in from a most excellent morning of fishing, and what few people who are left here, and we push, just as we are getting a good roll on the thing, the driver runs up from the water, telling us the other land rover went to Lethem after all they found fuel, he’s there ready to go to the air strip.
Mean while at the air strip, sits one TGA flight, with 2 new guest go to the VIP lounge only to find it inhabited by a sleeping anteater. Never mind the other passengers on the plane who are steaming.
Huston I think we have a problem,well maybe not, in a cloud of dust, belching black smoke, a green Landrover arrives luggage off loaded onto the plane, guest seem to be happy to know that they will not have to share the VIP lounge with steamed passengers on the plane from economy class, and yes there will be rum punch awaiting if the Green bomb doesn’t give up the ghost before we get back to the lodge.
Stay tuned…..will coonskin caps come into vogue in the Rupununi, will the charter pilot ever return to Karanambu, did bubba make his flight back to the states, or is he spinning some tale to the locals in Georgetown? Stay tuned the spin continues:::::::::
Ok 4:30 am, I’m awaken from a sound sleep by the scream of the reel….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz hell I’m not even dreaming about fishing, the fine young thing that was the dream will have to wait, Fish ON……… Never mind the fact that I’ve misplaced my torch lite, and all I have is the little reading lamp on the book I fell asleep with. Jump out of bed to see one Bandit, zipping across the floor with my broken 8wt. fly rod in tow. Whaaaa, hang on a minute Bandit, what broken fly rod, looks as though the ole gal has finally lost it.
Ok, so there was this fishing show film crew and host here a few days ago, this young thing was a real bubba as will be shown later in this story. Anyone who knows me or should know you never lend your favorite 8wt to someone you don’t know, hell I don’t even loan that rod to good friends. Mainly because they invariably wind up catching some record breaker on MY ROD.
Anyway I had, notice I said Had an extra 8wt. fly rod and reel which I agreed to loan along with some most wonderful flies. The long and short of it was the fool broke about 6 inches off the tip, brought it back agreeing to replace with a rod of my choice. SWEET!!!!!
Now, I make it a point to mash down the barb on all the flies I use, and of course take the fly off the line when returning home. This I neglected to do, when the broken rod was returned instead I just placed the broken rod up against the wall, the fly which happened to be one of my better gurglers, (a foam job that floats on top of the water)still attached to the line. The film crew and host of the fishing show the “Bubba” had spent the day fishing, a few nice fish caught, the night catching caiman. Next day there was to be a charter flight into here at Karanambu to pick up the guys and transport to the next destination. Now bear in mind that these guys are from the US, and don’t know the meaning of packing light, (300Lbs. baggage left behind) small Cessna lands at the compound, and what is pilot met by????? 6’ 8” camera man in a leopard pattern thong, waving a bow and arrow yelling buga buga or something of the sort. Once again, let me remind you I don’t have to make up this stuff , it just happens.
Only after being reassured that this fool in the leopard thong would put on proper cloths and act half way human were they loaded up with camera gear, I’m left with two state of the art graphite spinning rods and newest reels, a couple of lures, I’m happy, and we promise to have the rest of their baggage on the charter that will arrive tomorrow to pick it up….this is Saturday, and they leave for the states on Monday.
Sunday am, we are notified that the charter has been canceled so the scheduled TGA flight will pick up the baggage on Monday when they drop off 2 unsuspecting guest…..no problem……right…..
Monday morning 4am….One Shefishs is jarred awake by the sound of a screaming reel.
But before I start that saga, let me tell you a little about my furry roommate. He’s maybe 6-7 months old, wears a little black mask over his eyes, and is 5lb. of holy terror in the form of a crab eating raccoon, who of course was rescued by Diane McTurk, taker in of all beloved beast. Said raccoon was bottle fed until he started eating the nipples and she decided he had enough teeth to eat fish, shoes, computer cords, and world famous gurgler flies. This darling little creature of course is nocturnal, so he sleeps most of the day and raises hell most of the night that is until one Shefishs decided he should be kept awake most of the day so that at least he would sleep some at night. After much discussion of the advantages of letting me keep him in my room at night so she could get some much needed rest, Diane finally agreed that he could do some overnighters with me. This usually takes the form of me threatening to make a coon skin cap out of him before he sees the light and goes to sleep, only to wake about 4am every morning and start his daily hell raising. You see the picture yet?
That’s right, he gets the damn fly in his toothy little mouth, barb not mashed down for easy removal, me with no proper light, no pliers and it’s still dark out side. So there I am tying to find something to cut the line at least, this critter biting me and the hook, I run outside in my night shirt yelling for help, and all I can raise is hell. Finally one of the kitchen staff comes in, to start coffee, hell I ain’t even had a cigarette yet, and your worried about coffee. Just get somebody here with a pair of pliers. One of the boys finally comes to my rescue, we get the pliers, the hook removed, no blood except where the little devil bit me. One bandit released, to scamper off looking for something else to get into.
Still Monday morning
Several hours later, radio message is received that the local health team is to be in the near by village to do inoculations, and we learn we’re out of cooking gas in the staff kitchen, I’m informed I should notify the guys who are going to Lethem to hire a vehicle and we’ll pay half and get the stuff here….in the mean time 3/ 4 of the staff take off in our landrover to get their shots…..we’re trying to find out what time the flight to pick up the luggage will land because the rover will have to be back to pick up guest coming in on that flight. Now bear in mind this is all before 8am. Guy in the village are notified, never mind, we’ll take your vehicle, send the driver back in a boat, so he can use the other rover to pick up guest….oops…wrong, your vehicle doesn’t have enough fuel, your driver will drive back, and we’ll just get cooking gas. Ok….now the guest that is here wants to go fishing….NO PROBLEM> Off we go, I THINK ALL IS WELL…..
We arrive back at the lodge after a leisure morning of fishing….to find Diane having Kittens….the land rover is not back, the film crew baggage has to be at the air strip, the radio is going crazy, seems good ole Bubba left his pass port in one of the bags, and he couldn’t leave the country on the flight back to the states early this am. We have to get the bags on the plane. Ok so we all get out and push the old green bomb to start, the guest who just came in from a most excellent morning of fishing, and what few people who are left here, and we push, just as we are getting a good roll on the thing, the driver runs up from the water, telling us the other land rover went to Lethem after all they found fuel, he’s there ready to go to the air strip.
Mean while at the air strip, sits one TGA flight, with 2 new guest go to the VIP lounge only to find it inhabited by a sleeping anteater. Never mind the other passengers on the plane who are steaming.
Huston I think we have a problem,well maybe not, in a cloud of dust, belching black smoke, a green Landrover arrives luggage off loaded onto the plane, guest seem to be happy to know that they will not have to share the VIP lounge with steamed passengers on the plane from economy class, and yes there will be rum punch awaiting if the Green bomb doesn’t give up the ghost before we get back to the lodge.
Stay tuned…..will coonskin caps come into vogue in the Rupununi, will the charter pilot ever return to Karanambu, did bubba make his flight back to the states, or is he spinning some tale to the locals in Georgetown? Stay tuned the spin continues:::::::::
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