Natural paradise

After Foz do Iguacu we went for the Pantanal. I wanted to see the biggest wetland in the world (it is five times bigger than Holland) not only because it is known for its density of exotic wildlife found nowhere else in South America, but also because it is one of WWF´s projects.

Some information:
The seasonal flooding of the Pantanal provides an enormously rich feeding ground for wildlife. Altogether it supports about 650 birdspecies and about 80 mammal species (if not more), including jaguars, ocelots, pumas, deer, anteaters, armadillos, howler monkeys and tapirs. You cannot miss out on the capybaras and alligators, they are everywhere.

The Pantanal is one of WWF´s projects, why you ask?

The pressure on the biodiversity is getting bigger amongst other things because of:
- the intensification of the stock-breeding
- deforestation
- overfishing
- pollution because of non-regulated tourism

WWF wants to keep the biodiversity and ecosystems in the Pantanal-wetlands and stimulate the sustainable development of the area.

I am writing this because after spending 4 days in the jungle of the Pantanal, I can for sure say that it is really, indeed, seriously, surely, truly, truly, truly an amazingly beautiful place from which biodiversity and ecosystem needs to be kept and protected. Therefore I will mention the url of the WWF Netherlands website. I would like to ask those whome I have not been stalking yet :-)) to become a donor, to take a look around on the website. Because nature is definitly worth it! The url is http://www.wnf.nl/.

Ok, so far for the ´official´part of this entry.

The Pantanal, WOHOHOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Never, ever, ever, ever, ever have I seen so much wildlife in one place. I really believe we have seen it all. Well, not ALL, but heaps for sure! We have not seen the jaguar and anaconda, the tapir, nore the tarantula and the snakes. But we have seen, amongst others: alligators, piranhas, parrots, otters, toucans, lots of other birds (like jabary storks ands birds of prey), capybaras, deer, monkeys, anteater and so on. I probably forget to mention some animals, because we really seen lots.

We stayed on a farm for four three nights and four days, did some horsebackriding, wandered of through in the swamps where the alligators are (that was a bit scary in the beginning, but once you realize they are more afraid of you then vice versa you´ll be alright. The anaconda is in there somewhere as well, but not as numerous and you have got to block it all in the mind), did a jeepsafari and did some walking on solid ground. I really enjoyed the silence and beauty of the place. It is amazing, I say it once more.

We also experienced a small and scary adventure. One day we could choose between horsebackriding and wandering off through the swamps. I did not mind which one, Miriam thankgod chose the horsebackriding. Thankgod you ask? Yes, because the two other tourists and the guide got lost on that walk in the swamps. The guides traded their activity and this guide was not authorized to do the walk, as he did not know the route very well. They should have been back hours ago and it already turned dark. At one point people of the farm heard a scream. We did not know if it was a scream of fear or something bad happening or a scream so that the other guides could locate them. The girlfriend of one of those people stayed at the farm with us, and she was out of her mind of fear ofcourse. The area where they must could not be reached by car or even by horse. The ´padre´ of the family even fired two gunshots. So two of the other guides and dogs went in by foot. After a while thankgod they found them and all of them returned, everything was ok. Being in the swamp in the Pantanal at night is not something you want, at least I don´t and I think they were al very brave.

Right now we are in Bonito, south of the Pantanal. Bonito is a nice place where you can snorkel and tube in cristalclear riverwater and see caves. Tomorrow we will leave for Brasilia, in total a busride of 25 hours. Hmmmm, looking forward to that :-)). Brasilia is a short stop, after that, say Hi to Salvador!