Into the Pantanal

The Pantanal is a wetland area the size of France and is in 3 South American countries. This time of year usually sees most of it under water as the rains in the north rush down about 12 large rivers and pool here. However, it has been unusally dry this year and we were able to walk on land!

Our truck was left at a local police station and we packed day-bags to head in for 3 nights. Our accommodation - a farm/poussada. Luxury! It had air conditioned rooms, a pool and bar tab!

From here we rode horses, did jungle safaris, pirhana fished and boat safaris. It was also our first real chance to do laundry and get to know each other better. (Drinking games? Who me?)

The Pantanal was also the site of our first serious truck injury. Archie took a dive during a volleyball game and landed his knee on the sharp edge of a concrete border, slicing it to the bone and requiring a 2 hour ride to the ``local`` hospital for 15 stitches. Once the medication kicked in, he was smiling again! He has since managed to get a hold of crutches and can almost keep up!