Into the Amazon with Robson Green S01E02 - Episode 2

Robson Green is deep in his Amazonian adventure and this time he kicks off by experiencing a truly astonishing natural phenomenon. At the "meeting of the waters", two rivers run side by side, refusing to come together like oil and water. But as this is Robson Green, he doesn't opt to observe it from the comfort of a boat or a helicopter, he gets on a water bike and pedals himself out to the spot where the waters meet.

Next Robson boards a traditional boat, his home for the next few days as he navigates the inky waters of the Rio Negro, a tributary of the mighty Amazon River. His indigenous guide Saru gives him a tour of the boat before immersing him into the forest to learn some essential survival skills. A giant bee gives Robson a painful reminder of the myriad of mysterious creatures who call the Amazon their home.

Travelling north, deeper into the wilderness, Robson visits a remarkable school on the banks of the river where pupils are taught in both Portuguese and their own indigenous language. In a touching moment, Saru shares his own shame at not being able to speak his dialect and his admiration for this intercultural way of teaching. Even more astonishingly, Robson discovers this school, in the middle of the rainforest, is producing Olympic athletes – and they're primed and ready to show off their skills.

Back at the boat Robson pits his Geordie fishing skills against Saru's indigenous prowess. The fish happen to be meat-guzzling piranhas, delicious, but dangerous! As the sun sets, Robson and Saru listen as the soundscape of the jungle changes and comes alive with the symphony of croaking tree frogs and humming insects.

Turtles have long been a delicacy in the Amazon, with locals selling and eating them, but Robson meets one man on a mission to change this mindset. At Vicelli's turtle sanctuary Robson witnesses a baby turtle hatching and helps to release yellow spotted river turtles back into the wild.