23rd – 27th February, 2016. Pantanal, Brazil

23rd February, Anavilhanas – Manaus – Campo Grande

8am departure to Manaus.

2.5 hour road trip.

Quick tour of Manaus:

– Opera House (photos accidentally deleted)

– Local food market

– Meeting of Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes
Lunch at regional restaurant

16:10 JJ3435 Manaus to Brasilia

21:16 JJ 3591 Brasilia to Campo Grande

Hotel DeVille

(Rain in Manaus)


24th February, Campo Grande to Pantanal

Breakfast at hotel.

10am to airport.

Cessna 210 to Pantanal.

Fazenda Barra Mansa. Only guests. Middle of very wet season.

All meals at lodge.

Afternoon boat ride along Rio Negro. Caimans, caipiberas, otters, loads of birds.

Dinner at lodge. Lodge is very basic. Hardest beds in the world! We had a guide, Luis, with us the whole time.

(Rain in morning, clearing)


25th February

Morning boat trip to Vasante or flood plain.

Lunch – wild pig!

Afternoon explore by tractor

– anteaters, macaws, deer, birds

Dinner at lodge.

(Clearing in morning. Lunch shower)


26th February

Breakfast at lodge. Typical Brazilian.

Piranha fishing in morning. No one caught anything!

Lunch at lodge.

Lazy afternoon then short horse ride at 4:30pm.

Dinner at lodge. Rice, beans, chicken, salad.

(Mostly sunny but rain showers)


27th February

Morning trip to salt lake. Ash’s tummy no good again.

Late afternoon horse ride.

Dinner – dorado soup, fried piranha and pacu.

(Mostly sunny, some showers. Hot and humid)


Aerial view coming into the Pantanal
Aerial view coming into the Pantanal
First aerial view of Barra Mansa, our "holiday house" in the Pantanal
First aerial view of Barra Mansa, our “holiday house” in the Pantanal
Our landing strip in the world's largest tropical wetlands
Our landing strip in the world’s largest tropical wetlands
Getting an overview of our route
Getting an overview of our route
Getting ready for a boat trip with our guide, Luis. Girls giving resident dog, Polaca, a pet.
Getting ready for a boat trip with our guide, Luis. Girls giving resident dog, Polaca, a pet.
Chaminé checking us out. Our boats await in the distance. Rivers have risen more than usual this year. There is a bench under the tree on the left which is 5m under at this moment.
Chaminé checking us out. Our boats await in the distance. Rivers have risen more than usual this year. There is a bench under the tree on the left which is 5m under at this moment.
Resident feral pig who thinks its a dog. Shaman was orphaned at birth and adopted by Polaca (resident dog), who started lactating with Chaminé's arrival!
Resident feral pig who thinks its a dog. Chaminé was orphaned at birth and adopted by Polaca (resident dog), who started lactating with Chaminé’s arrival!

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We had lots of boat trips and saw an amazing array of birds
We had lots of boat trips and saw an amazing array of birds
Seedy looking caiman.
Seedy looking caiman.
Capybaras
Capybaras

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Horse riding in the late afternoon
Horse riding in the late afternoon
Beautiful sisters
Beautiful sisters
Chilling out
Chilling out
Fishing for piranhas
Fishing for piranhas
Mealtimes revolved around this hut
Mealtimes revolved around this hut
Gorgeous Nicky
Gorgeous Nicky
Kids' bedroom
Kids’ bedroom
Ash with tummy woes and staying home with his kindle
Ash with tummy woes and staying home with his kindle

 

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