Amazon Swim (Martin Strel)
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DURING FEB 1 - APR 08, 2007 MARTIN STREL SWAM 5,268 KMS (3274 MILES) OF THE AMAZON RIVER! HE DEDICATED THE SWIM TO THE PROTECTION OF THE RAINFOREST.
Sun, February 11 2007

Martin Swims with the Dolphins

Three pink dolphins accompanied Martin for the first 10 km this morning. Their vocalizations convinced us that at least one was considering him as a potential mate.

The sun was relentless as he was baked for the sixth consecutive day without rain. This is the wet season in the rainforest, and we were told to expect some heavy downpours at least once a day. It showered every day back in Atalaya. The whole crew is hoping for some precipitation to ease Martin’s pain.

In addition to his growing sunburn, Martin’s weight loss is beginning to concern us. He has dropped 15 pounds in 10 days, way ahead of the pace from previous expeditions. The problem is that he sweats all day in the river, and sometimes even at night killing bugs in his stuffy cabin. “Three days of rain and I’ll be a new man,” he reassured us. On a bright note, Martin reached the 1000 kilometer mark yesterday after muscling his way to another 108 km and reaching the village of Saman. Today he tallied another 105 km as he finished by swimming up to a group of boys on shore in the small town of Victoria. Martin is very tired but is prepared for another big day tomorrow.

>>Matthew Mohlke

Telemedicine on board of Cielito Lindo

Today, technician Bojan Premelc and the team’s physician, Dr. Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, MD, PhD, set up the Telemedicine equipment necessary for examining and evaluating Martin’s health. The equipment includes the capabilities to perform ultrasound examinations and ECG monitoring. First Telemedicine consultation between the Dr. de Leonni Stanonik and the Amazon Virtual Medical Team members was also performed today.