Advertisement
Published: November 1st 2009
Edit Blog Post
I am now in a very unsunny Brazil, so instead of hitting Ipanema beach I thought I would finally update the blog.
Bus Catching Ability
My bus catching ability is actaully getting worse, but slightly more eventful. I was meant to catch an overnight bus from the Brazilian side of Igazcu Falls to Campo Grande. Unfortunately though numb nuts here turned up at the Argentinian bus terminal. My face dropped quicker that the waterfalls when I realised I had missed another bus. But a really helpful guy at the terminal arranged for a taxi to take me across the border and to the Brazilian side. The only problem was I had 35mins to catch the last bus out of town, otherwise it was another night in Igazcu.
Unfortunately the taxi was about as fast as a mini metro, but what the driver lacked in horsepower, he more than made up for it in overtaking ability. Plus the general lack of appreciation of road signs and road markings helped my cause. I made it with about 2mins to spare. Definitely not something I would like to repeat in a hurry.
The Pantanal
I arrived in Campo Grande
and booked up a 4 day expedition to the Pantanal. I had never heard of the place before, and I only found out about the place from reading other people´s blogs on this website.
It covers some 230KM square, as well as Brazil, it stretches into Parguay and Bolvia. Its estimated that there are 650 bird species and 80 odd mammals, and not to mention millions of pesky little bugs. I arrived just at the start of the rainy season, but thankfully the weather was perfect.
On my trip there were 5 of us. A spanaird and Portguese who were a couple (of the Adam & Steve type, not Eve), and also a cool Canadian and Yank who were also a couple called Chris and Jamiann. Our guide was Emerson, who had spend some 15 odd years working in the Pantanal, so a proper Mick Dundee of a the Brazilian variety.
Day One
After a day of travelling to our camp (hammocks & tents) from Campo Grande we had a pretty quiet first day. Apart from checking out the cayman in the nearby river.
Day Two
The next day was an early start at
6 I think, for a morning of trekking to see some wildlife. After drowning my face and body in a old spice mix of mozzie repellant and sun tan lotion we set off off. Within a 3hour period we saw an amazing amount of wildlife. Sadly my ornothology knowledge only really goes as far as pigeons. Thankfully though The Pantanal is not trafalgur square, as we saw Tucans, cockatoos, parrots etc Aside from the birds, we also saw, black howler monkeys and howl they did. If they lived in Clapham, I would have been on the phone to the Police for noise pollution. There was also a racoon type thing that scrambled up the tree when it saw us, a big lizard, about 2ft long, that also sadly bolted when it saw us. Also an interesting array of plant life.
After lunch it was time for some more Piranha fishing near the camp. The fishing itself was relatively easy, and even I managed to catch a fish. The problem came from the Caymen, which were also interested in our catch. They are not as big as crocs or gators, but when they are only a few foot away from
you and showing their pearly whites, they look the real deal. After a while though, you almost get used to them, and Chris and I managed to beat them a away using our fishing rods. But sometimes they sneak up on you, and appear out of nowhere, and that definitely is a pampers moment.
That night we ate the fruits of our labours, but Piranha´s arent really a meaty fish, so most of the time you are just chewing on bones.
Day Three
Again it was another early start, and it involved looking for anaconda´s.
Day Four
The next day it was time for a bit of horseriding. I have never ridden a horse before, so I was a wee bit nervous to say the least, so I decided I should wear my Brokeback mountain esk shirt, hoping that might help.
I called my horse Rapido, but sadly he wasnt. The pace was pretty slow, and the horses knew the route like the back of their hooves. I think we were riding for about 3 hours, but it felt like 3 years. It was good, and Rapido did attemp to break into a trott
on a couple of occasions, but I dont think Frankie Dettori has anything to worry about.
We got back to camp and it was time to pack up and leave. It was a great four days, and I´m glad I decided to go. Although I´m still discovering mozzie bites in Rio, from the Pantanal.
Brazil
I have now been in Brazil for 2 weeks now, and I really like the country. Like Argentina, people do go out of their way to help you. I´m also lovin the fresh fruit for breakfast, it makes a nice change from pastries in Argentina. I´ve also got a serious addiction to a drink called Acai. Its basically a black/purple berry that is crushed and then you add ice. I have mine with granola, and its so nice, and apparently good for you. Although my record of 5 in one day might be pushing it a bit.
I´m also regretting not bringing a phrase book for Brazil, as I´m really struggling. Although there is a cross-over of some Spansih words. A chessy smile and bit of hand-pointing is my main way of communicating.
I am also discovering the Brazilians love
their soaps. I have no idea what they are about, but the acting reminds me of Joey from friends, when he does Days of our lives. With extreme facial close ups a must, followed by over the top music. Missing them is also not an option, and one guy on a bus I caught, appeared to have stolen a NASA satellite inorder to watch the soap on the bus.
I have now, been in Rio for a week now, and the weather has been pretty pants. Although like any good Brit abroad I have still managed to burn myself. I have managed to take a lot more pictures than I thought, considering how dangerous Rio can be.
So in the next blog, find out how my hair looks after going to a Brazilian barbers. Have I restored some dancing pride at a Rio Samba school, after my tango humiliation in BA? Have I been mugged? Did I beat the Brazilians at football?
Advertisement
Tot: 0.141s; Tpl: 0.039s; cc: 10; qc: 51; dbt: 0.0637s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb