Gilles, Bernard's friend and partner for the Malamine site
Boat ride to Malamine, Bernard's virgin riverfront property on the Congo River
Floating grasses block the boat's access to the beach. Bernard had hired some villagers to clear a path through the grasses but they did a very poor job
Pulling chunks of grasses out of the way to clear a path for the boat
The villagers show up in the dugouts to help
Grass gets stuck in the screws
Gilles gets in the water to help chop and push grass out of the way
It's nearing nightfall, so after several hours of clearing we go the rest of the way by dugout canoe
One week later, we return to Malamine (on a bigger boat with guests from various European embassies, and with the path cleared this time)
The campsite at Malamine
Arthus practices on a traditional musical instrument from the north of the country
The women prepare lunch
While the men drink
Bernard, Arthus and Ulysse play around
Michel, a native of the Congo, has advanced degrees in biochemistry and has worked in research labs all over Europe, the U.S. and Canada. He recently patented and is marketing erectile dysfunction treatments based on indigenous plants.
The French Consulate-General
Anda Vice-Consul
One of Ulysse's playmates
Arthus creating some new tool
One of Michel's bodyguards plays the instrument
Some villagers rest in the shade for a few minutes in passing
