Educational Media Reviews Online

This video, part of the Eco Adventures in Latin America Series, follows a group of five people kayaking the Orinoco Delta in Venezuela. The Orinoco Delta is a labyrinth of waterways through a jungle which ultimately leads to the Atlantic Ocean and the coast of Trinidad. The film is a day by day depiction of the group as they make their way on the 200 mile journey through the rainforest and jungle. The group averages 30 miles a day on their arduous journey. Local wildlife such as capuchin and howler monkeys, scarlet ibis, toucans, jaguars, otters and dolphins are shown in their habitats. The native inhabitants of the Delta, the Warao Indians, are willing and accommodating hosts for the travelers as they rest for the evenings. The viewer sees the group tasting the local food such as fish, palmettos and worms. The Waraos play music for the kayakers on their homemade instruments and the children demonstrate their handmade toys.

While the scenery is quite lush and beautiful throughout, the video has the feel of a homemade enterprise with many short clips of the kayakers conversing and making comments on their experience. The final sixty miles are a challenge as the weather conditions, difficult channels of the waterways, sore muscles and general fatigue take their toll on the weary travelers. At last we see them reach their destination.

The technical quality of the video is adequate although some of the audio parts are a bit difficult to understand. It is recommended for libraries with travel and tourism collections.