Where are we today? The mouth of the Amazon River

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We are heading into the mouth of the Amazon and are where the salt water and fresh water are mingling. The water has become muddy where the silt from the river meets the ocean water.  

Speaking of water, we have been asked to preserve as much of it as possible for the next ten days. Given the drought, the boat is hoping to avoid having to bring on extra store, which may be contaminated and also that would be extra heavy cargo. When we are at sea, the boat desalinates and purifies ocean water. 

Somewhere along the way, pilots with fresh maps of the river and shore will board and help with navigation. Brazil will also conduct a health and safety inspection. 

The Zuiderdam will pull up its stabilizers which hang below the boat.  This creates the potential for more rocking. 

In my daily life, I don’t think about the Amazon much.  But, I am realizing we all should care about how healthy it is. It is responsible for 20 per cent of all the freshwater that enters our oceans.  It dumps 200,000 liters of freshwater into the ocean every second. It has the largest volume of any river in the world. 

It’s hard to believe we started this world journey 1 week ago tonight.  

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