Bonito !!

Posted by Dave and Zephie

After our stop in Rio we went to Campo Grande near the Pantanal, which is an area famous for its wildlife. However, we decided against going on one of the tours from here as all the tour operators push really hard for the sale..!! We didnt really like the city or the hostel (which we later found out was notoriously bad - there was even a warning up in our next hostel about it!!!). The only redeeming feature of the city for us was the amazing vegan buffet we found and the lovely manager who decided to take us round to each dish (of which there were many) and explain what was in each one and whether or not we could eat it! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm Yummy!!!

We took a bus from here to Bonito asap - a small town famous for eco tourism and for being particularly beautiful. It was in the centre of the Pantanal and there were loads of things to do from here. On our first full day there we went on a snorkelling trip down the Rio de Prata. It was crystal clear water and no standing up or swimming allowed (or mossie repellent or sunscreen) to ensure the water remained uncontaminated. You just relaxed and let the river take you downstream... It was really amazing! We saw a caiman, a monkey, parrots, fish (lots and lots), some kind of small bush dog thing and what we think might have been a rhea or emu.






























Unfortunately, Zephie was poorly that evening and was sick a number of times over the next few days. We suspect the dodgy hostel in Campo Grande!!! After a few days of ice lollies and whatever else she could manage to eat, Zephie started to recover :) We then went to the Balinario Municipale, which was another incredible river but it doubled as the local swimming pool/area. Rather than flumes and slides, it had a walkway to a point upstream where you would jump in and be taken by the current to the main bit where everyone else was congregated. It was so much fun we had to do it a number of times. The fish would not move for anyone and would happily let you brush buy them.. Fair enough. It was their water!!!!








Dave shouldn't have farted in the pool.................


After Bonito, it was south towards Argentina and the Iguazu Falls.....