Intro

Day 199 arrived, a stark departure from the rhythmic hum of tires on asphalt. Today was less about covering ground and more about digging into it, literally. It was a day of deep immersion into the Yawa Jee Reserve, a volunteering experience that felt worlds away from my usual path, yet profoundly connected to the spirit of discovery that drives this journey. My mood was one of pure curiosity, eager for whatever the jungle might reveal.

Ride Overview

Today was not a cycling day, but rather a profound walk into the heart of the jungle. We covered a modest 2.85 kilometers, ascending about 53 meters and descending 12, all on foot, hacking our way through overgrown tracks. The weather was partly cloudy, though a heavy morning rain had soaked everything, turning the already dense environment into a dripping, humid world. The surface was entirely natural, a mix of mud, roots, and the tangled undergrowth we had to clear ourselves.

Highlights

The morning began with a practical decision. As the rain eased, I moved my gear from Anita's house to David's. Though David's dwelling was far more basic, it felt right to commit to this side of the community for the duration of my stay, rather than returning to the comforts I’d left behind. It was a small step, but one that grounded me further in the experience.

Around three in the afternoon, the real work began. David, his son Charip, David Junior, and I set off to build a jungle shelter. I was initially surprised by David's chosen spot – a dense thicket near the trail. Yet, his criteria were clear: no large trees overhead and a nearby cascade. In a flurry of machete strokes, a space of four by six meters was cleared. Posts were driven into the earth, and a plastic sheet, brought due to the morning's rain, became our roof. A cleaned log served as a bench, and we shared a simple snack of boiled rice, carrots, peas, and tuna.

As dusk approached, the details of our camp came together. David dug a small bush toilet, ready to be covered after each use. Large leaves were laid out for our sleeping area. David then set about coaxing a fire from moist wood, using a special slow-burning variety, eventually succeeding with candles and paper. Meanwhile, David Junior meticulously cleaned the upper pond of the cascade, removing roots and stones, even building a small stone wall to deepen it for washing utensils. Later, in the dark, we waited by an armadillo hole, pointed out by our dog, Corazo, hoping for a glimpse. The armadillo remained elusive, but the quiet vigil, followed by a conversation with Charip about his love for Bayern München, was a gentle end to the day. I went to "bed" early, laying my poncho over the leaves for an extra layer of protection, while David patiently waited for another four hours.

Lowlights

The morning's heavy rain was both a blessing and a frustration. We had planned an early start, but the downpour lasted a full hour and a half, pinning us indoors. David saw it as a gift, providing his wife with ample water for laundry, but for our jungle expedition, it meant a significant delay and a damp, challenging environment to work in. It made the task of setting up camp harder, particularly when trying to get the fire going with such moist wood. The persistent dampness seemed to seep into everything, including my energy by the end of the day.

Overnight

I spent the night in the newly constructed jungle shelter, a simple structure of posts, plastic, and leaves. It mattered because it was a home we built with our own hands, a direct response to the environment. It was comfort reduced to its most elemental form – shelter from the rain, a place to rest, a fire for warmth and light.

Reflection

This day, far from the familiar rhythm of cycling, confirmed the immense resourcefulness and deep connection to the land that people like David possess. It was a stark reminder of how quickly we can adapt to fundamental needs – building shelter, finding water, making fire. The patience required to live in harmony with the jungle, to wait hours for an armadillo that never appears, or to slowly coax a flame from damp wood, contrasted sharply with the driven pace of my journey. My quiet takeaway was the profound simplicity of true self-reliance, stripped down to the essentials, and the quiet satisfaction of creating a temporary home in the wild.

Route summary

• Date: 04.02.2026 14:46
• Distance: 2.85 km
• Elevation gain: 53,694 m
• Elevation loss: 12,778 m
• Duration: 119 min
• Average Speed: 0 km/h