Weaving in the Wild

Doing conservation work in Guyana was such a fantastic experience. The wildlife was phenomenal, I saw more than I ever thought I would, including the giant black caiman hanging around the Iwokrama Research Centre on our first day: the largest caiman species in the world. I loved all the preying mantis species which seemed to be highly attracted to me - I kept finding them on my shirt. But most fantastic of all was coming nose to nose with Timbo the baby Tapir.

The best thing about the trip however was the interaction we had with the locals. We were living and working alongside them in the rainforest, the whole time learning about their culture, way of life, and the unique skills that they tried to pass onto us. They may have laughed at my attempt to weave a basket out of vines, but I very much value that skill which they taught me and my basket now sits cheerily on my desk, a reminder of a fantastic once in a lifetime trip.