Dear diary If you ever get the chance to visit Iguazu Falls, you will probably come away thinking, they're big. They are big. It's a bit bizarre that this natural wonder gets so little international recognition. I mean, we knew it was one of the key items on the South American to do list, but didn't anticipate just how impressive it would be. From the Argentinian side we were amazed by the width of the River Iguazu upstream of the falls. The word river doe...

Dear Diary To get to the Pantanal (wet lands with tons of wildlife with an area the size of Switzerland) we had to go via Sao Paulo (biggest city in the whole Southern Hemisphere). Agh, that city is just not for the tourists. It's too big and generally not very inspiring. The guidebooks go on about its vibrant nightlife and great food but unfortunately they're just making excuses on its behalf. Plus we were there on a rainy Monday, a day on which any vaguely i...

The pleasure in the minutiae Dear diary We went to Ilha Grande. It's an island. This means it's a bit more of a hassle to get to than a place which is located on mainland brazil. That also means that it needs to be just that bit nicer than your expectations to justify the additional effort, time and expense. Rainy Ilha Grande with its drainage problems and unfriendly hostel - We didn't think it was particularly nice. We went to Paraty. It was a doddle to ge...

Fear and loathing and Larium dreams in Rio Dear diary I think we were somewhere around rio de janeiro when the larium began to kick in. But loved ones may be pleased to know that since we last met Lindsay and I have not done anything - risky - dangerous or - potentially life threatening In summary- Rio is a beautiful place - I think this may be the most aesthetically pleasing big city i have ever been to. Even Cape Town would come off second best. The view...

In transit... Just passing through. Next stop Rio de Janeiro. Stay on target.