The Pantanal e Corumbà

I left Campo Grande early on Monday morning for a 5 hour drive in the van, then transferred into the back of a truck for an hour down a bumpy dirt road to our base camp for the next couple of days. The sun was out so there were thousands of caimans (aligators) sunbathing by the wetlands. We arrived to camp and claimed a hammock which proved to be very cold at night. The evening was spent by the camp fire, mixing up caparinahs.
In the morning we had breakfast at 6am then headed for a trek through the wetlands. Levi our guide helped Marcel and I track down some monkeys, and caipiburras (largest rodents in the world). We returned to camp for lunch then joined the other groups for a boat trip along the little rivers. We spotted lots of birds, including several tucans, macaws, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, kingfishers, and many more. After dinner, which was the same pile of rice, pasta and beans every day for lunch and dinner, we all piled into the truck for a beer run to the local grocery store. I think he hasn`t had so much business all year.
Wednesday morning we again went hiking through the wetlands but failed to find many animals due to the cold weather. In the afternoon we drove in the back of the truck for 2 hours to a farm and went for a horse ride. We found some armadillos, and enjoyed the ride through the wetlands spotting lots of stalks and jabirus as the sun was setting over the palm trees. We were very happy to find 2 different snakes on the ride.
After surviving another freesing night in the hammock we piled in the boat and went fishing for piranahs. With just the basic equipment of a bamboo stick, some line and meat we quickly hauled in several piranahs and some catfish. This was a welcome addition to lunch and with one guy getting a bite to the finger we were glad to be eating them before they ate us.
I caught a truck back to the main road and waited by the highway for a bus to Corumbà where I enjoyed a good churrascaria after so many days without a good steak. This morning I have just crossed the border to Bolivia and waiting for the train to Santa Cruz. The train with airconditing and meals was all booked out so we are in `first class` with the cows and chickens. Should be a interesting trip across Bolivia!