DAY 1 After a 21 hour bus ride from Rio (not as bad as it sounds) we boarded another bus for a further 4 hour journey followed by a 3 1/2 hour trip on a 4 wheel drive truck (very bumpy!) to our camp. Never mind off the beaten track this was far gone and beyond it. Our camp had very basic facilities and mimimal power and our bedding was hammocks in a hut covered by palm tree\'s. However, this \'roughing it\' just added to the fun. Our guide was a local boy called Gabriel who had the most infectious laugh you\'ve ever heard and whose knowledge, enthusiasm and bravery helped make such a memorable trip, DAY 2 We were up at 6am for breakfast followed by a walk through the bush where we saw Howling Monkeys (who greated us by crapping on us from 30 feet), Racoons, several species of brightly coloured Parrots, Water Pigs, Storks and the ubiguitous Alligators. Surprisingly they really aren\'t a threat to humans and providing you treat them with a bit of respect it\'s fine to touch them and you soon realise they really are quite sweet! In the afternoon it was another walk where we saw Armadillos, Toucans, Emus\'s, Deer, and more Parrots. However, the highlight was a chase of a huge Anteater through the bush which we cornered for some great photo\'s. DAY 3 In the morning it was off to the lake for Piranha fishing using bamboo for rods and cow heart for bait. Not everyone was too keen to wade into the water to fish as we weren\'t sure if the fish would take the bait or our legs! However as a group we caught 25 or so and Stuart was totally overjoyed when he snared his first one!! In the afterrnon it was time for Jo to conquer her fear of horses which she pretty much managed after a (painful) three and a half hour ride in hot conditions. Stuarts horse was particularly idiosyncratic and was more interested in eating than transporting it\'s rider! After a delicious dinner of our caught Piranha Stuart embarked on a night walk where our intrepid guide Gabriel pulled a 3 month old Alligator from the lake for some great shots. DAY 4 We were up at 5am to catch the lovely sunrise before another brisk bush walk and some more wildlife before leaving the camp to embark on another longish journey for the next stage of our trip. This took us west, about an hour from the Bolivian border to a remote fishing village on the Paraguay river. We stayed at a pretty basic hostel where we ate dinner with frogs climbing up the walls! DAY 5 We were up early for a lovely boat trip in a pretty small fishing boat up the Paraguay river and Rio Negro where we saw some more wildlife including some impressive Savannah Hawks and huge lizards and did some more Piranha fishing. The Piranhas in the river can be genuinely vicious and dangerous we were told but it didn\'t bother Jo who reeled in cach of the week. At the end of the trip Gabriel produced his piece de resistance when he yanked out a 12 foot Anaconda from the Paraguay river. Unbelievable!! It made for some great shots. After lunch we made our long way back to Campo Grande to complete a memorable trip. It was terrifis to see so many species in their natural enviroment in such a remote area and we met some great people as well. Next it\'s onto the Iguassu Falls followed by a little beach bumming in Uruguay before we hit Beunos Aires. Untill then check out the photo\'s. Adios