Photos: Brazil | Bolivia
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1. Brasilia
2. The Pantanal
3. Bonito
4. Santa Cruz - Bolivia
5. Buena Vista
6. Villa Tunari
7. Cochabamba
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All,
I hope that all is well back in Oz or around the globe where ever that may be. Firstly a big congratulations to Jason and Jill who gave birth to their first child, a beautiful girl Zara Hill.
I have been travelling across the inland part of Brazil trying to escape the police from Lencois, I hope they are not still looking for me. First stop was the 60´s time warp of Brasilia, another brilliant idea to build a super planned city in the 60´s. It looks great to visit as all of the buildings are designed by the same team and most of the city was built in 5 years. The place is way too planned, with hotel quadrants, living quadrants, walking sectors..etc etc. It feels a little awkward to wander around and everything is very very spaced out. But that being said I loved some of the buildings and took way too many photos of them.
Next up off to the Pantanal, a huge swampland that floods to the size of France in the wet season (December), the place is full of exotic animals. We did a 3 day camp with a tour company that drove deep into the swamp to a great little spot that has all sleeping in hammocks. Highlights included chasing down a giant ant eater over 600m through swamp savanah, horse riding and catching piranhas in chest deep water...and then eating the little suckers for dinner. I also managed to get very close to a blue macaw...see photos later. The time was great and met some great people of the trip...some old friends that last saw me being chased by the police in Lencois.
Well knowing that these people were not going to dob me in I set off with them (Rogier. Lorraine and Stefan) to Bonito...meaning beautiful in Portugese. Though I do not know how the town got that name the things to do there certainly deserve such a title. The best thing, and maybe close to the whole trip so far, was a snorkling trip down a spring fed stream. Floating for 2hrs down a stream within a rainforest that is full of beautiful fish and get this visibility is 20m+, you really do feel as though you are swimming in an aquarium. It was amazing to say the least.
Sad to leave Brazil, I truly love the country and the people, thanks to all that I met along my journey through Brazil, you made it very special, stay in touch. One day I will return...
Next up headed over to Bolivia, strange to switch back to my limited Spanish, I was just getting used to Portugese as well. Caught the overnight train to Santa Cruz, but just a big city so I high-tailed out of there after a day of rest and exploring for Beuna Vista...and no there was no social club. Met up with a well travelled Irish guy, Paul, and we set of to the national park Amboro the very budget way. Breaking all of the normal practices that were a rip off we trekked in for 10km, then after 1 hr of negoitiations with a local community we had organised for three meals a day to be cooked and served, a guide for a day, a place to stay in the NP for 3 day all for $20..in town they wanted $170. Poured rain the first 24hrs so got to know Paul and we went for some short walks, next day overcast but with guide in tow we hiked up a creek, plenty of crossings of the creek, then up a side creek where we were treated to a tight green canyon that twisted and turned for 200m and then ended with an all consuming waterfall, very beautiful. Amboro has a lot to offer and I think that in 5-10 years it will be a major tourist region..if the government can remain stable.
We then travelled onto to Villa Tunari (7hrs, 5 buses all for 200km..love Bolivia) where there is an animal refuge park, saw a Puma, a stack of monkeys and macaws. Very cool to see all of the animals even if is not the wild. I am now in Cochabamba a pretty large town that still has a great feel to it, situated in a green valley with snow capped peaks abound. Plenty of markets to walk around in and get lost.
Off in the morning to Oruro and then to meet up with Paul again in Uyuni and do the much anticipated Salt flats tour.
And now the long awaited photo update...Some of the Rio ones are a little fuzzy due to some settings in conversion, so sorry. I hope you enjoy them, I will continue to update where possible.
Keep in touch and tell me your news...
Roland
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