http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from South America , Argentina , Corrientes , Mercedes en-us Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:58:15 BST Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:58:15 BST We breezed into the province of Misiones in our little jam packed car travelling up the western fringe of this outcrop of Argentina with the River Parana forming the national boundary. From our lodgings in Paso de La Patria we strolled beside the river watching the sun set over Paraguay. That evening we ate our customary steak and chips dinner to the background of a news report on the 26th a http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-264798.html It was clear that this place was isolated. It is an amazing reserve of wildlife but routes to get here are limited to two the one we took the four wheel drive was all over the road and the other going south we heard was passable. On the way down we saw two cars in three hours but plenty of cattle sheep horses and birds. We were dropped off on a dirt road all roads in this place wer http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-244956.html Ive learned 2 things in the past day or so.1. 2 backpacks a travel pillow and a sarong make excellent bedding at a bus station at 5 in the morning2. Never trust information from a bus station in Mercedes even if they work for the bus company which apparently goes to your destination.So after the excitment of the border crossing yesterday we got on a night bus from Colon to Mercedes smelly and http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-244898.html Here we are in sunny Argentina after a rather eventful day getting across the border.Began at 5.am. when we had to get up and leave the hotel in the pouring rain for a 6a.m. bus. I didnt sleep well on account of feeling sick and was praying not to get a dose of Uruguay belly before a 3 hour bus ride. We promptly fell asleep on the bus my stomach behaved itself and arrived ok in Paysandu where w http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-244569.html Well this is it guys. Today was our last day in Mercedes and we said our goodbyes to everyone at the ranch. We felt quite sad to leave the horses with which we got really attached to and people we have met and worked with but at the same time we are filled with excitment as we are hitting the road for more adventures for the next 3 months. We got to know a lot of horses and it would've been nice http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-199704.html Righty ho time for our first blog and so far wersquove made it from Sao Paulo Brazil to Buenos Aires and onward and upward to a sweet little town called Mercedes. But letrsquos not jump too far ahead of ourselves just yet.Stopping over in Sao Paulo is not something wersquoll be putting on the recommendations list. Letrsquos just say we were a pair of chicken lickens more worried about http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-136323.html Well you could not do one side of Iguassu Falls and not the other so we hopped on a bus and headed into Argentina.This side of the falls we think were more impressive as you can walk across a bridge that ends at a viewing platform where you are sooo close to the thunderous falls all in all pretty impressive The Argentinian side of the national park seemed to have a much better layout with l http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-127638.html Ive finally started my life as a cowgirl I arrived at the Haras Monday afternoon the date of this entry tho I am in fact writing this somewhat later and after a quick welcome got stuck straight into work...The first few weeks at the ranch werent so great. I quickly realised I wouldnt be learning as much as Id hoped both in terms of improving my Spanish cos i mainly work with the other http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-92936.html Beth the latest volunteer left the previous Friday surviving a month but having to return home to visit her father in hospital. So I was the last volunteer at the ranch. No new foreigners due for another month or so. However the latest plan is vet students from the local vet university. 2 girls were due to arrive the day I left and I wish them luck. Im glad as it means that I feel less gui http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-60012.html The past week has seen a vet from Corrientes university the province capital come over to synchronise oestrus in all the cows a PRID and oestrogen inj for those that want to know castrate some colts and scan a few more mares just when the breeding season had promised to be over. The good news is that one of the 3 embryo transfers was a success I will one day upload photos of Negra Mia's 8 http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-57535.html I was going to write last Friday when 2 new volunteers arrived and we had 3 Argentinian apprentices working and noone had left for over a week. However last Friday it rained the driveway became a mudslide and I was trapped with my new found friends. But that was over a 2 weeks ago and over the weekend a lot happened...Well lets start with the important things first... Marcos has had his ha http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-54681.html Reserva provincial esteros del Ibera is a large wetlands with hundreds of different types of birds as well as caimen small alligators black howler monkeys capybara the largest living rodent neotropical otters and different types of deer. It has converted Angus and I into bird watchers We went out on several boat rides to explore the wetlands and enjoyed seeing several bird species inclu http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-52917.html One of things keeping me at the ranch is the amount of wildlife that is freely wandering around the ranch sitting by the lakes and flying in the sky. I've managed to get a few photos so this is really just a brief taster of what I'm surrounded by... http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-51764.html Trying to put a positive spin on things this time. More people have left. However one of them is the weird gaucho guy that was making me feel uncomfortable. Stayed a week then left have to say I'm actually very relieved The other person to leave is Gomez also a little creepy but head odd job bloke. Quite unexpected apparently and don't quote me on this it's been through several people and http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-51633.html Appologies for yet another long break since I last wrote but a lot has happened and I'm a little tired as a result...So down to 2 volunteers. Both of us were due to work the weekend but Chantal asked James if he would swap and work the following weekend both of us covering the weekends alone. He agrees and I have a weekend to work on my own instead of sharing between 3.Friday I say 'Ciao' t http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-50699.html A lot has happened since I last wrote which seems like a long time ago now......After the shock appearance of 2 people supposedly working the weekend of the rodeo I returned to the ranch expecting Chantal to be singing the praises of Gabriella the only one who stayed. Instead I entered our room to find a packed bag. A couple of minutes of mild shock followed as I worked out they were Gabriella http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-48202.html This weekend I have NOT been working For example yesterday I woke up at 5am when Gabriella got up to feed the stalions. I then went back to sleep until 6am when Thea got up for work. I went back to sleep again. I woke up at 9am when Gabriella popped back in. I went back to sleep again. Fantastic I eventually dragged myself up about 10am and just sat in the sunshine reading until the workers http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-46042.html A typical dayhellipI wake up with my room matersquos alarm at 6am and keep my eyes shut in a hopeful fashion for a further 10 minutes before finally dragging myself out of bed. I drag on some clothes apply sun tan lotion itrsquos still dark but I wonrsquot get another chance until lunch step outside and struggle with my boots. I might exchange a few words with Gabriella and Thea my http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-44956.html It starts in the ice cream parlour. Not the traditional starting place for a journey but everything has to start somewhere...2 scoops of creamy lemon and fruits of the forest ice cream for 2 pesos 40p. We stand eating in silence apart from the occasional appreciative moan of pleasure. Doesn't take much here to please.We gently wander around the corner of the plaza to the 'remmiso' the local http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-44135.html Keep in touch everyone good to read your comments if you haven't got time for emails... xxx I've been at the Estancia for a full 5 days now and I finally feel as though I'm settling in a little bit Accomodation is a stable sized room that I share with 2 other British girls. I don't have my own bed but do have a lower bunk . Food Breakfast is a rock shaped like a piece of bread supplement http://www.travelblog.org//South-America/Argentina/Corrientes/Mercedes/blog-43694.html