Mata Rangi

A fascinating and somewhat surreal event. The explorer Kitin Muñoz and a group of Aimara Indians have set up camp on the beach at the base of the luxurious Hotel Arts in the Olympic Port. They have begun work there on the 'Mata Rangi', a 20-metre boat made entirely out of bamboo and rushes. The plan is to finish the craft by October 15 and then set sail for the Americas, following Columbus' route. The project is sponsored in part by National Geographic and the work site includes a detailed exhibition of other voyages made in similar craft, most notably by the explorer Thor Heyerdahl.