AGUA-LUNA.COM WAS ASKED TO COME DOWN TO THE AMAZON AND ASSIST IN SEVERAL RENEWABLE ENERGY / SELF SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS ON THE AMAZON RIVER, IN THE RAIN FOREST AND IN DEEP JUNGLE. HERE ARE A FEW PICS OF THE TRIP AS WELL AS SOME COMMENTS ON WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN SOUTH AMERICA. FOR MORE INFO OR PICS FEEL FREE TO VISIT WWW.AGUA-LUNA.COM
Virgina from Espiritu de Anaconda (a Shamanistic retreat in The Amazon Jungle), Julian from The Pyramid Project (a gigantic floating Pyramid on The Amazon River), brought a Agua-Luna.Com team to Peru to help out, design several Renewable Energy / Sustainable systems for several sites. After a 2 week trip into the jungle, the sites were evaluated, gathered enough info to now return, draw up some blueprints. Agua-Luna team is eager to help, but it was determined (later proven) that an on site consultation was necessary. It was definitely worth the trip. Thanks to everyone that helped out , all the volunteer's that contributed. Enjoy the pics....
After 3 days of travel Martin and Lucy arrive in Iquitos, Peru and hire a mototaxi to The Pyramid Peru Project.
For a couple Soles one can travel pretty much everywhere in Iquitos and there inlays the problem. Iquitos has over 30,000 of these mototaxi's (converted motorcycles) making it the noisiest city in the world. Agua-Luna will be teaming up with Pyramid Peru to convert them to battery power (Agua-Luna has made many bigger conversions already, this would literally be no problem).
Most roads are dirt and as it rains every day in the rain forest they're always muddy.
Having lost a solar panel and the luggage on the way, Martin and Lucy were happy to have made it at all.
Martin wanted to make a quick stop at The Pyramid, meet Julian Haynes, the man behind the dream
Within minutes Martin had a hydrogen generator built using a plastic water bottle and was showing how to make Hydrogen from water (in this case water from The Amazon River).
The team was impressed with Julian, a native Brit who now resides in Peru. His dream is to build an enormous floating pyramid on the Amazon River as a place for all Shamans to come together.
Half of the reason Agua-Luna came to Peru was to build a Renewable Energy system for Julian's Pyramid Project.
After an exhausting few days of traveling the team catch a quick bite at a lovely Italian pizzeria "Antica Pizzeria"
After dinner on the way back to the Pyramid they got stuck in a local festival.
Lucy was not sure why she got the Anaconda around her neck.
Sebas was our local tour guide for the night.
Lucy's not one for drinking, but she was told that she have to try "Pisco". It tasted a lot like Tequila to her.
Heading back to the Pyramid along the boardwalk.
After a long day of drinking and designing (not in that order), Martin takes a night swim in The Amazon River.
Martin explains some of natures finer points on such things as buoyancy, compression and decomposition. In the end he suggested 55gal industrial plastic drums filled with air or nitrogen to float the Pyramid.
One of the greatest journeys undertaken in a long time, seems to have been put into motion in order to get these to into the same room together.
At the biggest battery shop in Iquitos, Martin asks about deep cycle batteries, which no one in Peru seems to have a clue about. "ya, ya it's deep cycle" is what you'll here about EVERY regular car battery. Then 1 month later you'll be stuck with a dead solar system and when you go back to ask about the batteries they'll say "that one was faulty". Same problems were experienced finding chargers (which were labeled "40amps" but turned out to be "17amps" when Martin tested it. It seems this is normal in Peru possible all of South America at no fault of the shop owners. The fact is distributors ship down rejects material & items to these countries.
The structure of the Pyramid relies on structural properties of different shapes for strength, stability and longevity (triangles, heptagons and ,of course, the Pyramid). Martin and Lucy are eager to see the finished result.
Another quick stop at the Pyramid to touch base with Julian, explain the days activities running aimlessly around town searching for parts.
Martin explains the battery situation to Julian, that a solar system needs deep cycle batteries that are designed for constant 100% cycles, not normal car batteries which are designed to be always topped off. 2 days later Julian was teaching others the difference. Hopefully Agua-Luna can import some Optima's from Brazil in the near future.
What starts as a quick stop, turns into a half a days conversation. Lucy learned (stand corrected) that it's important to NEVER let these 2 alone in the same room together. It very well mean the end of the world as we know it. Literally.
To tell the truth nobody is sure at this point what they were discussing. Neither sure if somebody wants to know. From the looks of the notations on the paper and the figures on the calculator though it seems that they may be trying to figure out exactly how much food they would need to have ready to sustain the population of earth by 2012.
With the rain pouring now it seems impossible for the driver to see let alone make it to the second project site.
Local kids push your MotoTaxi for a Sol through the muddy street of The jungle.
On the downhill parts they get a break and jump on back for the ride.
Agua-Luna team finally make it to Espiritu de Anaconda. Martin and Lucy are VERY eager to meet Virgina and the rest of the group responsible for bringing them to this beautiful country.
Julio, a remarkable young man was the personal guide for the some 2 weeks in the jungle. Martin have worked with a lot of locals in many countries and have never seen such raw potential and devoted Heart in a person. Ever. There's absolutely no way the work could have get done without him. Thanks Julio.
Martin gives a small puzzle to Gabriela the daughter of Soi Yaca, also known as Sonia, wife of Kestembetsa, also known Don Guillermo the village Shaman and leader. (photos of Don Guillermo were not taken out of the highest religious respect.)
Gabriela inspects her gift for any flaws of perfection (princesses are very thorough).
Gabriela runs right into the house to play with her new puzzle.
Lucy tell Soi Yaca, also known as Sonia that a local was needed to gather the parts to build the solar system as a lot of valuable days were waisted trying with no success by Martin & Lucy. She elects to do it herself after hearing about the difficulties.
Agua-Luna was brought to Peru to evaluate and design 3 sites... The pyramid, Espiritu de Anaconda and the new Shaman site deep in the Amazon Jungle. Julio was with with the team every step of the way.
Martin documents necessary info on each hut for use later when blueprinting, in order to bring solar electricity to each.
Francois asked Agua-Luna team if they could design a small RE system for his house while they were on site.
Francois, a French entrepreneur now Apprentice Shaman to Don Guillermo. Martin would like to install a solar hot water heater on the very top, as well as a few solar panels.
Amazingly almost every hut is different and requires a different setup.
Lucy dream of huts this night.
This hut is rather unique as it is the main food supply for the village. The rather large family raises thousands of river base, chickens and some rather odd birds that Agua-Luna team can honestly say they've never seen before.
This bird reminds Lucy her turkeys back home, but may be closer to a peacock. It makes the most alarming sound you'd ever heard.
As most of the jungle is either damp, flooded or is a river, bridges need to be built to get to most places.
Martin stops for a quick chat with the bridge workers. During the 10+ days we were in the area they had built almost the entire bridge. About 300 meters worth.
Virgina, a native Austrian now living most of the year in Iquitos, is the reason behind Agua-Luna team coming to Peru and being able to help so many. As a result of her tremendous generosity, not just towards Agua-Luna, but all of the Espiritu de Anaconda community, Martin has agreed to absorb fees or costs involved with designing her home as well as the other 3 projects completely free of charge. It's just Agua-Luna way of helping out when so many have already done so much. (no photos were taken of Virgina upon request for her privacy).
The home is actually 2 buildings and will have a water tower much like Francois in the middle, to harness the system with rope bridges connecting, suggested by Martin.
The Peruvian workers are fearless as they travel like monkeys through the rafters without safety equipment.
Martin sketches a quick pre design of Virginia's home.
Martin and Lucy were thoughtfully invited to several Shamanistic ceremonies while we stayed in the village. A very enlightening experience to say the least.
The Maloca from inside.
Martin guides the construction of a water turbine that will be used to power a near by hut.
Martin explains about Rise and blade surface volume needs and the difference between alternators and generators (Permanent magnet alternators).
Martin with the Turbine's builder Gilberto Fernandez, Agua-Luna looks forward to working with him in the near future.
Yet another stop at the Pyramid in order to weld up a frame for the new solar panels. Julian gets a couple of his welders for the job.
The welders prepare the steel.
The welders make quick work of the frame, Agua-Luna team were in and out of there in a couple hours.
While the boys play with their metal Lucy gets a quick tour of the Pyramid. New uniforms and hard hats now aid the workers in a safer environment.
The triangle trusses behind Lucy will later be filled with either recycled water bottles of recycled 55gal plastic drums and sunk under water. The water line will be at the hight of the top beam appx. in a few months we hope. So if Lucy were to stay here for example, I'd be under water by that time.
The workers bring in more wood, poles and material daily all harvested locally to eliminate carbons caused from delivery.
Martin explains some finer points in the construction of Virginia's home in order for them to successfully be able to install such things as compost toilets, Super efficient lighting, rain water catchment and a lot more later.
Now that Sonia was able to round up all the items needed for an installation, Martin Julio and helper.
Before final installation it's important to check EVERYTHING for fit, no one wants to be on a rough when something doesn't line up.
Upon fit check it was found that the locks that will hold the panels didn't line up, so because of time restraints they can't send the frame back out and are forced to modify what they have to fit.
Can't find much deep in the Amazon jungle, so we were able to fabricate our own battery cables with a little welding cable & some ingenuity.
Frame lines up perfectly after modification & is ready to be installed along with the panels.
Making some final adjustments to the panels literally takes a few seconds but can save hours on the roof
It's a good trek to get to where the panels & solar system will be installed, directly South & above the village.
Martin explains the difference between installing batteries in series & parallel in order to build a suitable battery bank.
As Martin & Julio calculate the angle & altitude of the solar array for the location a curious visitor comes to help.
Martin 'claims' he never even saw the Parrot but this pic is proof he did. Maybe he was just a little preoccupied to care.
At some point the bird decided that eating Martin drafting paper was a bit better then 'helping' as previously stated. As the bird tore pieces from the pad Martin didn't even move until it began to affect his math.
Lucy tried to have him get on her arm, but she was a little hesitant to have a wild jungle parrot that close to her.
When Martin saw what Lucy was trying to do he simply pushed his arm under the bird and the bird jumped right on. Like they had practiced it a hundred times. Probably the bird didn't really new what he was getting himself into.
After a few minutes of just staring the bird started squawking and flapping his wings and the showdown began......
The Parrot struck the first and only blow, trying to decapitate Martin. Luckily Martin has a big hard head!
After installation Lucy need to give the guys instructions on how to maintain and up keep the system so Agua-Luna team doesn't have to come back.
With renewable energy systems comes strict conservation habits. After installation Lucy needed to give the guys instructions on how to conserve the electricity so that they don't run out in a couple hours.
In the battery shed are tons of lively bats,Who knows if they liked the idea that they'll now have solar power or not.
After a VERY long and hard 2 weeks Julian and his lovely girlfriend take us out for some drinks, just next door to the Pyramid at Nikoro bar.
After 2 weeks on this project the team were literally physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Not because of the long time there (2 weeks is actually very short for be on site), but the opposite...Martina and Lucy tried to push everything into such a short time span that it exhausted them. Actually was supposed to go to Peru and design 3 systems, yet it turned out to be more systems and an actual installation as a bonus. It was well worth it but the team was tired.
These clowns were SOOOOOO funny. Martin and Lucy literally couldn't stop laughing, people said they could hear them across the Amazon river. To funny. They're 'Rasta Clowns' from Chile.
Because Lucy was yelling out 'obscene' remarks to the clowns when they were on stage, they felt it was payback time. Poor her.
They had the funniest time with them, they made everyone laugh so much and after Martin and Lucy got a chance to talk with them and take some photos.
Lucy was told that this would be the 'best' picture ever... Not funny.
He pretended to take a picture of Martin and Lucy (next photo)... pretended that it didn't work... looked into the camera and proceeded to take one of himself. VERY nice guys, The team hope see them again one day.
Martin and Lucy thanks for the great time Rasta Clowns.
The next morning was decided that at least wanted to take a boat ride down the Amazon River to see some of the wild life and Indians the team heard so much about. Here Lucy was looking for a water taxi in the port of Iquitos "Nanay" (was a little crazy, good thing it was day time)
The monkeys would literally jump our of the trees onto visitors' head, sticking there tongues in your ears. They would jump all over you and bite you (playfully) and if there were more then 1 they'd fight on you.
The monkeys are SOOOO playful, like a kitten on katnip amplified by 10. They loved pulling Lucy's hair, Probably they thought it was a vine. They were everywhere.
Actually the guide (far left) caught it and gave it to Martin. As small as it was Martin had a hard time holding onto it.
When the team went back to the dock to catch their water taxi a dog came up looking for treats. Then out of nowhere a small monkey ran and jumped on his back. They walked around like this the rest of the time beeing there.
This small monkey was a different breed then the other darker ones. They're weren't as many of these running around. He came to Lucy and asked for her hand in marriage (probably).
This little guy is a type of rodent (not sure), but he plays with the monkeys.
Finally Lucy get to hold a sloth. It's her second most favorite animal (next to the koala bear). They are SOOOO slow. Not sure what Cristina is doing, but as soon as she was picked him up to take the picture she put her arm behind her head (real slow) like she was a model.
The Yaguas welcomed Agua-Luna team into their village with open hands. Soon they were showing them their ritual dances and teaching us how to hunt with blow guns. Very impressive.
Lucy hit the target on the first try, dead in the center. Every one cheered frantically, so probably that was rather unusual. (Lucy is not sure if she could do it a second time though)
One thing Agua-Luna like to do when we go do projects abroad is to bring a little happiness to the kids. The team typically bring a couple bags of toys, books and candy to pass out. It's very rewarding.
When the rest of the tribe heard the team had treats they mobbed Lucy. Probably they don't see foreigners to often. Neither receive outside items.
After passed out all our treats, they had a few moments to take some pics before needing to catch their water taxi
Again when the word spread they were taking pictures, more members wanted to come and have their picture taken.
After 2 weeks of Lucy taking all the pics Lucy made Martin take them when they were on our 'fun time'. But she allowed him one shot with the Indians.
As Martin and Lucy caught a mototaxi back to the Airport, it FINALLY hit them they were leaving. The time went by so fast, and never really had time to enjoy it. Thanks to everyone for all their help, resources and support. Agua-Luna hope it helped and can further contribute to the efforts you all are making to change things. Thanks Virginia for bringing the team out and allowing it to do what they could for your cause, it's an honor. Thanks Julian for putting Martin and Lucy up on the Pyramid and hope Agua-Luna's RE systems will help keep you on your path. Thanks Julio for all your help, Agua-Luna like to bring you out to the Ranch to apprentice with Martin, you have so much potential. Thanks all.
This pic doesn't belong in the Peru album, but we wanted to let everyone know that the day Martin and Lucy arrived back at the Ranch, one of the hen Turkeys had 7 turkey chicks following her around. We didn't even know she was laying. Shows you how busy we've become the last few months. What a nice welcome home present.
AGUA-LUNA.COM WAS ASKED TO COME DOWN TO THE AMAZON AND ASSIST IN SEVERAL RENEWABLE ENERGY / SELF SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS ON THE AMAZON RIVER, IN THE RAIN FOREST AND IN DEEP JUNGLE. HERE ARE A FEW PICS OF THE TRIP AS WELL AS SOME COMMENTS ON WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN SOUTH AMERICA. FOR MORE INFO OR PICS FEEL FREE TO VISIT WWW.AGUA-LUNA.COM
