Using a light aircraft they reached Coquinal, a remote village of 50 families on the shore of the great lake and learned much about the picturesque area. There are twelve communities, mainly of indigenous people, all desperately poor and in need of medical and dental help, support for their schools and clean drinking water.

The Beni people are musical and especially keen on the violin, which was introduced by Jesuit missionaries and are now made here.

Wildlife includes dolphin (cut off from the ocean), water birds, jaguar, anaconda, tapir, caiman and a strange little “Golden Bear”. The recce party also saw large quantities of ceramic artefacts and fossil bones.

In the wet season overland movement is extremely difficult and the team saw an evacuation in progress as flood waters rose. They also had an air view of vast numbers of ancient raised fields.

In the hot dry season, July-September, 4WD vehicles and horses can cover much of the ground. Boats can be used on the lakes at all times.

The local government have welcomed the project and offered assistance. Thus in August/September 2009 a team of approximately a dozen from outside Bolivia is being recruited to work with local geologists and archaeologists in this little known part of Amazonas and provide aid for the people.