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So, I realise I haven´t left a blog in a REALLY long time, but we have not been anywhere near a computer. As per usual, this will be a shortened version of the past 2 and a bit weeks events, but that´s the way it´s got to be. Also, still haven´t come across a decent computer to upload photo´s, so when I do, there will be heaps to look at.
After Potosi, we left for Uyuni. Uyuni is a small town in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do. It´s main attraction was the Salt Flats. We went on a day trip out into the desert, and saw a graveyard for trains where there were a couple of trains that were robbed by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They had bullet holes in the sides. The main parto f the day was spent at the Salt flats and an Island in the middle of the flats. All you can see for miles is an expanse of white ground, which is actually all salt. It is about 30m deep too. You can get some amazing pictures making people look tiny in comparison to each other. You´ll see what I mean when I finally get the photo´s up and running. The island was ok, just full of cactus really. After coming back to town, we had na amazing pizza at a place that claims to be the worlds highest pizza place. 3670m up to be exact!
From Uyuni we crossed the bolivian border in to Argentina. We didn´t feel so much like gringos in Argentina, and it is a much richer country. We spent 3 nights in a place called Salta, which is a decent sized town. Merle and I did not get up to much other than look through the shops and swim. It was a big change from some of the frantic days we have had on this trip, like the drive to Salta. We left at about 4.30 am, and got into the campsite ata round 10pm! We then had to set our tents up in the pouring rain. Not fun! There was na opportunity to go rafting and canopying, but we never bothered. Spent to much money already.
From Salta we headed to Port Iguazu, via a free camp next to a petrol station (more all day drives. There have been so many of them). We camped for 2 nights in a really cool campsite that had a pool with a bar where you could get a litre of Bud for only 1 pound, and you got it in a plastic cup so you could take it into the pool.. Sheer heaven! The main reason for being in Iguazu was for the famous falls. I cannot begin to explain how breathtaking they are. You will have to see the photo´s to understand. I think there is something like 200 waterfalls in one area, and the surroundings make it absolutely amazing. We spent all day there, and got a wee bit burned. We went under the falls in a boat, saw as many of the views as we could and also saw heaps of wildlife too. I can honestly say it is the most amazing natural thing I have ever seen.
After 2 relaxing nights, we headed over the border to BRAZIL baby! We spent 2 nights in a really cool hostel in Foz do Iguazu (other side of the Iguazu falls). We had the chance to see the falls by helicopter, but it was quite expensive, so we went to the bird park instead. In the bird park we saw so many Macaws, I stroked a Toucan (absolutely awesome), held some Macaws, saw Flamingos, the list goes on. Merle took some good photos, so I´ll post them first opportunity I get. That night I went go karting and caused a huge pile up. I was pretty good for my first ever go, and was 2 laps behind the leader (I was lapped twice by everyone when I got stuck and nobody came to help me!). I think had I have been able to see (fire balaclave was over my eyes 90% of the time) and had decent shoes on instead of sandals I could have done a bit better. After that, we came back to the hostel for a Samba party. There was a live band and we all danced and drank caipirinhas. Everyone ended up in the pool at some point too! Think I got to bed around 5am. Next day was just a lazy day spent mostly in the pool to combat the 43 degree heat!
After Foz we headed for our 3 day excursion into the Pantanal. The Pantanal is a huge nature reserve half the size of France that is meant to have the most amount of flora and fauna in the world. We arrived early in the morning, and promptly went for na orientation walk where we saw plenty of Caimin (type of Alligator), Howler Monkeys and heaps of birds. Some of us went swimming in the river, and actually saw a Caimin only about 15 feet away from us. After a nice lunch we were taken on a boat trip through the river and we saw more Caimin, Toucans and lots of strange birds again. That night we asked if we could borrow some fishing rods and we sat on the pontoon. I caught 3 catfish. Next day we headed out to a farm for another 2 nights stay. This was the base for all our organised trips. In the first afternoon our group went fishing. I spent ages trying to catch something, then finally I caught some kind of small fish. The guide said it was great for bait, so he cut it up, and within 10 seconds I had caught myself a Pirhana! I eventually caught 2, and Merle also caught one. The other groups were actually standing in the water up to their waists whilst fishing for pirhana! One guy caught 14! That night we had another samba party, but it wasn´t as good. I ended up going to bed. We slept in Hammocks for both nights. It was really comfy. The next day we went on a 2.5 hour Horse ride through the swamps. It was pretty slow, but we got to gallop at the end which was fun. Merle nearly fell off! Then after lunch we went on a trek through the swamps and jungle to see more wildlife. We saw Coatis monkeys (look more like a racoon), and Merle even saw the back end of a Puma. I only saw the bushes move as it left, but it must have only been about 30 feet away. After getting back some of us went in for a swim at the spot where we had been fishing. One guy actually threw his Pirhana back towards us as we swam! Later on we played football with the locals (they´re Brazillian, so we got thrashed), and I played in goal. I actually did really well, and lots of people said so. One of the guides that night sat and made necklaces for anyone that wanted them. He must hav made about 10, using jaguar bonés, Caimin teeth, wild pig teeth etc. They were really cool. I was really sad to leave. I sooo want to go back. It´s called Passo Do Lontra if you want to look it up. The guys there are amazing.
That leads us to here in Bonito. Haven´t done much other than swim in na amazing waterhole with crystal clear water and some big fish. We´re in town now, but everywhere shuts in a couple of minutes for a 3 hour siesta.
Take care and see you all soon!
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