T OYO TA T R A I L S Repairs underway on the wooden bridge. contrary to our normal division of tasks. The locals will never let me be Coen’s guide, no doubt pushing me aside or blocking my view. At least with our roles in reverse, we have some chance of doing this together. Almost there! Group pressure is a scary thing and being in the middle of nowhere without authorities present doesn’t help. Coen feels cornered into doing something he doesn’t really want to do. We decide that I will drive and that Coen will guide me across, which is With much trepidation, I let out the clutch and slowly head towards safer ground, focusing on Coen’s fingers signaling me. The front wheels reach the road but then I hear the crack I feared. I close my eyes and feel the Land Cruiser sinking. The right rear wheel has split the beam and the Land Cruiser now rests on its axle. I hit the brakes and pull the hand brake. Furious, I walk away. A truck pulls the Land Cruiser out and fortunately it is undamaged. I need a long time to let off steam, damning macho cultures and group pressure. But we made it across. I'm glad it’s the two of us again as we have another 95 kilometers of mud and rainforest ahead of us…. PHOTOS BY COEN WUBBELS The beams give way and the Land Cruiser wedges its right rear tire deep between them. 40