We have just finished a superb 3 day trip to the Southern Pantanal that brought us much closer to a variety of hawks, storks, camen and the beautiful ocelot - now nicknamed barney
The 3 days were action packed with a boat trip on arrival, horse riding, canoeing, night safari and a day safari. The Pantanal Wetlands are home to a magnificent array of birds as well as jaguars, ocelot and caiman - a member of the croc family
The boat trip also enabled us to fish for piranha, which was great fun
The horse riding was cool with a close up visit from an ant eater and the canoeing allowed us to get eye to eye with a caiman - tennille being closer at the front of the canoe
The night safari was hot and humid however we were lucky to spot a young ocelot - small cat - in a tree that made the night thoroughly worthwhile
The food at faz San francisco was fantastic and I filled up on the beef
We are now in Bonito for 3 days before we head to the falls
We cycled 14k today and swam with fish - more snorkelling tommorrow
Both having the best time!!
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Monday, 2 March 2009
Parity and Going into the Pantelan
Wheels are rolling on our Dragoman tour and we´ve already enjoyed a great boat trip around the islands off Parity before a couple of long drives as we enter the Pantelan area in Southern Brazil.
There are 20 people on our trip plus our 2 guides and everyone has been really nice so far - and you pretty much have to get on with things together as there is plenty to do when we make camp, cook, etc. and also lots of spare time when you make long drive days getting from one place to another.
We took a great boat trip around the islands off Parity, which is just south of Rio and this allowed us to chill out after our time in Rio.
A couple of long drive days have followed as well as camp nights as we entered the Pantenal area of Brazil.
We meet a guide today who will take us on day and night safari´s - looking forward to the wildlife and pics.
There are 20 people on our trip plus our 2 guides and everyone has been really nice so far - and you pretty much have to get on with things together as there is plenty to do when we make camp, cook, etc. and also lots of spare time when you make long drive days getting from one place to another.
We took a great boat trip around the islands off Parity, which is just south of Rio and this allowed us to chill out after our time in Rio.
A couple of long drive days have followed as well as camp nights as we entered the Pantenal area of Brazil.
We meet a guide today who will take us on day and night safari´s - looking forward to the wildlife and pics.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Viva la Rio
We arrived in Rio on Tuesday from BA and took a taxi from the airport to our B&B - The Maze. little did we know that the name is extremely descriptive. The Maze is in a Favela in Rio called Tavares Bastos, which is literally a maze of houses tightly nitted together.
The people of Tavares Bastos are super friendly and from the moment we arrived they have been helpful in every way possible. People warned us about how dangerous Rio can be and to be mindful of Favela's after dark but we have struck gold here - all down to the people and the wonderful views of Sugarloaf from our rooftop room.
Bob & Malu - The MAZE + 55 21 2558 5547
We visited Sugarloaf yesterday, Ipanama the day before and we head for Jesus the Redeemer today before trying to find some cool Blocos tonight.
Rio has a great vibe just before Carnaval and we are so very much looking forward to the Blocos and the Sambadrome tomorrow.
Viva la Rio!!! Viva la Maze!!!
The people of Tavares Bastos are super friendly and from the moment we arrived they have been helpful in every way possible. People warned us about how dangerous Rio can be and to be mindful of Favela's after dark but we have struck gold here - all down to the people and the wonderful views of Sugarloaf from our rooftop room.
Bob & Malu - The MAZE + 55 21 2558 5547
We visited Sugarloaf yesterday, Ipanama the day before and we head for Jesus the Redeemer today before trying to find some cool Blocos tonight.
Rio has a great vibe just before Carnaval and we are so very much looking forward to the Blocos and the Sambadrome tomorrow.
Viva la Rio!!! Viva la Maze!!!
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Colonia, Uruguay
Yesterday we visited Colonia in Uruguay.
We took the ferry from Buenos Aires Puerto Madero, which takes 1hr to cross the Rio de Plata to Colonia in Uruguay.
Colonia is a colonial settlement that swapped hands between the Portuguese and Spanish 10 times within a 100 years during the colonial wars and it remains remarkably intact and shows how both cultures shaped it´s look i.e. there are Spanish style houses next door to Portuguese and different street constructions.
It was another great day meeting really nice locals and enjoying tinto vine, potres and a superb paella.
Today we leave Buenos Aires and although we´ve had a wonderful time we cannot wait to get to Rio and the beach!!!
We took the ferry from Buenos Aires Puerto Madero, which takes 1hr to cross the Rio de Plata to Colonia in Uruguay.
Colonia is a colonial settlement that swapped hands between the Portuguese and Spanish 10 times within a 100 years during the colonial wars and it remains remarkably intact and shows how both cultures shaped it´s look i.e. there are Spanish style houses next door to Portuguese and different street constructions.
It was another great day meeting really nice locals and enjoying tinto vine, potres and a superb paella.
Today we leave Buenos Aires and although we´ve had a wonderful time we cannot wait to get to Rio and the beach!!!
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Melting in the Chocolate Box
Yesterday we spent Valentine´s day in the famous Chocolate Box in Buenos Aires and at 31 degrees we certainly melted.
We awoke yesterday - Valentine´s day - and walked from Palermo to La Boca to the Bombadero stadium - nicknamed the Cholocate Box to tout 2 tickets for Boca´s 1st game of the season vs. Newells.
It´s a 1 hr walk and it´s pretty hot in BA this week so we pretty exhausted by the time wegot there. La Boca is supposed to be a rough part of BA but we found the people to be just as warm as every other Argentine we´ve met here.
We had a coffee in a wee cafe near the ground and then asked one of the stadium guards where we could get a ticket. He advised us of where to go and we found a tout very easy - paying double the face value, which was 60 pesos each - circa 10 GBP.
After getting the metro home we came back for the 5.10pm KO very excited. And we were not disappointed. The Bombadero has only standing at both ends - where the home fans are located - and the seats are on both sides of the pitch. This makes for a great atmosphere and we were in one of the ends with fans who truly love their team, football and songs. It reminded me of Celtic Park before the seats came in.
Unfortunately along with us, Boca melted in the afternoon sun losing 2-0 at home - a shock defeat - but the Boca fans chanted from start to finish, playing their drums and blowing their whistles - never saying die until the final whistle.
We were locked in for 40 mins after the game - no reason why! but we walked away from the ground feeling as comfortable as ever.
So we melted in the Chocolate Box on Valentine´s day along with the famous Boca Juniors amigos.
We awoke yesterday - Valentine´s day - and walked from Palermo to La Boca to the Bombadero stadium - nicknamed the Cholocate Box to tout 2 tickets for Boca´s 1st game of the season vs. Newells.
It´s a 1 hr walk and it´s pretty hot in BA this week so we pretty exhausted by the time wegot there. La Boca is supposed to be a rough part of BA but we found the people to be just as warm as every other Argentine we´ve met here.
We had a coffee in a wee cafe near the ground and then asked one of the stadium guards where we could get a ticket. He advised us of where to go and we found a tout very easy - paying double the face value, which was 60 pesos each - circa 10 GBP.
After getting the metro home we came back for the 5.10pm KO very excited. And we were not disappointed. The Bombadero has only standing at both ends - where the home fans are located - and the seats are on both sides of the pitch. This makes for a great atmosphere and we were in one of the ends with fans who truly love their team, football and songs. It reminded me of Celtic Park before the seats came in.
Unfortunately along with us, Boca melted in the afternoon sun losing 2-0 at home - a shock defeat - but the Boca fans chanted from start to finish, playing their drums and blowing their whistles - never saying die until the final whistle.
We were locked in for 40 mins after the game - no reason why! but we walked away from the ground feeling as comfortable as ever.
So we melted in the Chocolate Box on Valentine´s day along with the famous Boca Juniors amigos.
Friday, 13 February 2009
Buenos Aires
Having a wonderful time in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires is a vibrant and colourful city. It has trees lining almost every avenue and street and is shaped in blocks much like many American cities or Manhattan.
We´ve had a wonderful time so far, wandering the streets or into the night, in search of the cities many tourist attractions or cool restaurants and bars.
So no matter what we have eaten or how much vino tinto we have drunk we have worked it all off and more in our walking.
We had a few issues with ATMs but that seems to have worked out now and we are off to hopefully tout some tickets for Boca´s first home game of the season at the famous chocolate box stadium.
We´re all going to take the ferry over to Uruguay on Monday as it is only 1 hr to Colonia and we can go on an organized day trip.
I´ve also been practising my espanol which has gone much better than I hoped - Tennille has been very impressed!
Buenos Aires has been a great 2nd destination and our MyT Argentina appartment has been just what we needed - we´re both looking forward to Rio but will always remember our time in BA.
Buenos Aires is a vibrant and colourful city. It has trees lining almost every avenue and street and is shaped in blocks much like many American cities or Manhattan.
We´ve had a wonderful time so far, wandering the streets or into the night, in search of the cities many tourist attractions or cool restaurants and bars.
So no matter what we have eaten or how much vino tinto we have drunk we have worked it all off and more in our walking.
We had a few issues with ATMs but that seems to have worked out now and we are off to hopefully tout some tickets for Boca´s first home game of the season at the famous chocolate box stadium.
We´re all going to take the ferry over to Uruguay on Monday as it is only 1 hr to Colonia and we can go on an organized day trip.
I´ve also been practising my espanol which has gone much better than I hoped - Tennille has been very impressed!
Buenos Aires has been a great 2nd destination and our MyT Argentina appartment has been just what we needed - we´re both looking forward to Rio but will always remember our time in BA.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
New York to Whistler
OK050 touched down in New York on Sunday afternoon and as we rode in our yellow taxi into Manhattan we knew our big trip had really started.
After playing in the Dave Kelly Winter Classic poker tournament on Saturday night until the wee hours we left Prague for New York a little tired but very excited. Upon arrival we had a great night with Anna & James, as we popped into Wolfgang's for great steaks then watched Arizona come soooo close to winning the Superbowl! We were roaring for you Cardinals along with all the New York Giants fans in "The Hill" bar.
We left as quietly as we could at 4am on Monday morning for our trip to Vancouver.
12 hours later we met Rob in Whistler and after a night of "1 more pitcher, 1 more pitcher" we had an absolutely brilliant day on the slopes. The conditions were perfect today, with blue skies and flat and fast slopes.
What a start to our trip! if it keeps going like this then it may never end...
After playing in the Dave Kelly Winter Classic poker tournament on Saturday night until the wee hours we left Prague for New York a little tired but very excited. Upon arrival we had a great night with Anna & James, as we popped into Wolfgang's for great steaks then watched Arizona come soooo close to winning the Superbowl! We were roaring for you Cardinals along with all the New York Giants fans in "The Hill" bar.
We left as quietly as we could at 4am on Monday morning for our trip to Vancouver.
12 hours later we met Rob in Whistler and after a night of "1 more pitcher, 1 more pitcher" we had an absolutely brilliant day on the slopes. The conditions were perfect today, with blue skies and flat and fast slopes.
What a start to our trip! if it keeps going like this then it may never end...
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