Exploring the Pantanal

This is not only the road we took into the Pantanal but it is the ONLY road into the Pantanal.
see all photos »

We spent only one night in Corumba but it was my first contact with Brazil and thus quite exciting. Had our first experience with pay by kilo restaurants which is a way better system than buffets as it makes you highly aware of exactly how much food you are consuming!

We organized a tour to see the Pantanal since we would be unable to see the Amazon on this trip. The Pantanal as we got to find out is really no less exciting than the Amazon. It is referred to as the largers freshwater wetland system and stands as one of the worlds greatest natural wonders. The Pantanal is an amazing collection of a diversity of fauna and flora.  It has hundreds of species of birds ( my official favorite bird is now the toucan), thousands of varieties of butterflies, flowers and tonnes of fish. There are also Capuchin and Howler monkeys, capybaras (largest rodent in the world),anacondas, caimans and tapirs. The rare blue Macaw can be found here as well.

The truck which carried us in. It took about 4 hours of bouncing around in the back of this truck to get to the place we were staying.
see all photos »

To get there we had to ride for over four hours at the back of a rickety truck over unpaved post rain ground. On the way we got to witness the saving of a cow that to me seemed quite suicidal for its lack of interest in helping itself. Our exploration of the Pantanal occured from an eco lodge with just the basic amenities (electricity is not one of them), sleeping in huge dorms with hammocks for beds. One of the most memorable things from the Pantanal is probably the vicious mosquitoes.  The little bastrads were relentless even in the face of concentrated DEET repellant and protective clothing.  Good thing they are not Plasmodium baring or we would all be down with  40 degree fevers.

On the way we ran into this cattle-drive. Takes a long time to get a truck through the herd!
see all photos »

Definitely worth it though. There are more fancy options available for those not quite ready for the rustic conditions though I think an experience like this is better from a wooden shed and not some fancy resort.