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Hello everybody,
After crossing the border into Brasil (another stamp in the passport) we are heading for the sunnier climes, hopefully, where i can finally get the shorts out and swim. First stop the Pantanal wetlands for a three day tour of this giant marsh land.
The Pantanal is the world's largest freshwater wetland, a seasonally flooded plain fed by the tributaries of the Paraguay River. At 68,000 square miles, it is almost 10 times the size of the Everglades.The Pantanal straddles Brazil's border with Bolivia and Paraguay. About 80 percent of the Pantanal is in Brazil.
While we were therewe managed to see Giant river otters, caymans, stalks, tapier, loads of birds. Unfortunatley didnt see any Anacondas or Jaguars which are supposed to be quite common.
Nights were spend in hammocks which was really nice, until the mosquitos decided they were hungry, little b******s! The days were spent hiking, fishing for Piranhia which were then cooked for dinner, horseriding and swimming and canoeing in later described Piranhia infested waters. Apparently they only eat you if you have a wound on your body. Great!!!
The next stop after this adventure is a place called Bonito (beautiful in translation), and the crystal clear waters for snorkelling are exactly that. We had a day on a private nature reserve snorkelling in crystal clear waters, with large fish swimming litterally centimeters away down river and through rock pools. Totally unspoilt and natural. Apparently the high levels of calcium carbonate in the water causes sediment to sink the the river bed making it so clear and clean. You can actually drink the water. However judging on past stomach and bowel trouble i gave that a miss.
The next day a short over night bus trip takes us to Iguassu, home to one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Bordering Brasil and Argentina both countries share a side. The falls take on a horseshoe form, 2,700 meters wide between the two countries, with many waterfalls of upto 72 meters in height. There are between 150 and 300, depending on the time of year and rain fall that feeds the flow of the IguaçÙ' River. Words and photos do not do justice to the the awesome power and beauty of the area, and has to be experineced first hand. We spent two days here exploring, taking helicopter rides over and a speed boat trips under the falls. Magnificent!!!
All thats left is a flight to Rio now destination Copacabana, bringing the 48 day trip in South America to an end. Think i have my speedos or thong somewhere in my backpack..........................stay tuned for the pictures!
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