The Pantanal

Chris ad one of the guides whose name I can't remember sat on the boat by the river
see all photos »

Oh my god have had the best few days. Did a 4 day tour in the Pantanal which is this amazing area of forest and marshland where there's so much wildlife. We were staying at this site right in the middle of the Pantanal - very basic but the best fun I've ever had. We all slept in a big room full of hammocks which was so cool!! And like at nighteveryone just sat ousde at the campfire playing cards and drinking.

I was in a real cool group as well. There were only 5 of us so we had the chance to talk loads and get to know each other better than in a large group. Have to say hi to Rachel and Chris, an Australian girl and American guy from my group, they were making me laugh so much and were so easy to talk to. Hope you guys are having a great time in Bonito, wish we could have stayed longer cos I'll miss you!

Mum and Rachel by the river at sunset
see all photos »

First day of the tour we went on this long walk round part of the Pantanal and our guide Elias (not sure at all if that's how ou spell it) showed us how to make jewelry out of the plants and stuff and we saw so many animals and its ttaly different from seeing them in a zo or anything becase it's al ther natural habitat. Then later on went on the boat down the river which was really nice and then later on got in for a swim - had to watc out for aligators though!

Second day was the best. Went piranha fishing in the morning and I caught 8!! I think I must be a natral lol. Then went to this other camp right in the midde of the forest and they don't have shelter r anythig, just these hammocks tied to the trees. Anyway went there for luch - ate the piranhas we had caught which were well nice and had a siesta. It was so amazing just to be sat in a hammock in the middle of the Pantanal after eating piranha fish that we had caught earlier that morning!

Me sat on the boat looking very casj don't you think (that's just for you Kerry and Nina
see all photos »

Then in the afternoon went horse riding and I love it now! It was really good as well cos you don't have to mess around with any special equipment, you just get on and go (they're not exactly overly safet conscious in brazil). We went out for a couple of hours and I know I've used the word amazing about 50 times but it really was. Had a sunset drive back to the main camp ad sa al the nocturnal animals and the rivers were just crawling wth aligators.

Next day went for another walk round a different area of the Pantanal and then went into the river again. Chris had the smart idea of swimming to the other side of the river which was generally where the aligators are but we couldn't see any at the time. Any way so we get over there and Chris and Rachel are sddenly lie "shit!" and I thought they were taking the piss but they weren't and thouht they saw an aligator with it's mout open. So by this time were all swimming as fast as we can back to the other side (which for me is not very fast) and are absolutely shitting it until we realise it was actually a sea otter. It was so funny we were all in hysterics for ages! That night went to the other camp (the one outside in the forest where we had the piranha) to stay over. Hardcore camping or what. No tents, no mosquito nets, no buildings, no nothing and all these animals everywhere. It was so good!

Me and Myles in m hammock
see all photos »

Went horse riding again in the mornin befre we had to leave. I was so upset, I wanted to stay longer, well actaully I wat to live there so am hatching plans already!