We arrived in Brazil from the tiny Bolivian town of Quijarro after a very cold overnight train ride, relieved, at that time of the morning, that our journey over the border was relatively hassle-free. Though we�d all noted a more European feel and look to Santa Cruz the day before, which was the first time in a while when we�d been at a height approximating to sea-level, Brazil has a look which is completely distinct from its South American counterparts. As Bryan would tell us beforehand, things are both a lot cleaner and more orderly here, and also everything seems more comfortable and relaxed in and around the towns.

For the last three days we�ve been in The Pantanal under the guidance of a man named Paulo, who has lived there all his life, venturing out into the jungle to do some animal spotting, riverboating, piranha fishing, jungle walking and horse riding (very accomplioshed I was too). We stayed in a little hut which inside around its centre had ten hammocks for our sleeping needs. If you�ve never stayed in a hammock before, it�s a strange experience, not least because the task of turning over is a hassle coupled with a burden!

At the moment, we�re at a one-street town called Bonito, which is I think famous for its opportunities for scuba-diving and the like, but we�re instead spending the day in a pool, as we psyche ourselves up for the very long journey to Foz de Iguacu tomorrow, which everyone is very excited about. I�ll be peacing out now...