Up at the usual time albeit the first chachalaca called at 4am - they are the earliest birds I know. At 6.25 we walked to breakfast and as it wasn't out we walked up the path looking at the birds in the garden. We noted a new car outside the gate so reckoned Sergio had arrived. A few moments later a tall slim middle aged Brazilian approached us and introduced himself - this was Sergio our guide for the next 3 days - he had arrived at 2am after a day guiding in th...

Up again for 6.30am breakfast and 7.00am set off - we arrived at the dock just before 8am; after a different outboard motor was fitted to the boat we were off up the river by 0810 - another blue sky day - for temperature this is definitely the best time of the day - I could already sense though that it was going to be another hot one. No early finds of jaguars today - the branch across the river we saw one on yesterday was bare. We passed caymens and capybaras ...

Up for a 6.30am breakfast and away by 7am the same as yesterday - the cool of the morning is pleasantly refreshing- and it is great driving across the Pantanal watching the bird life start their day. We arrived at the dock, picked up the boat and were off up the river by 8am. The first new bird was a pied lapwing on a sandbank; the only other new ones today, for this part of the trip, were - an osprey and a turkey vulture. While we were enjoying the quietness a...

Yes we were off to the river before 7am to search for jaguar......not before lying in bed and listening to a 5.30am serenade by 6 hyacinth macaws in the tree outside our room abley assisted by a plumbeous ibis, chachalacas and chestnut bellied guan - a sight to behold as was the chestnut eared aracari (small toucan) perched in a tree and not joining in. It took about 45 minutes to get to the river; when we arrived and while waiting for the boat to be sorted out...

At 0215 the bedroom light came on and the fan started whirring - the power was back on - they had clearly worked through the night to restore it. I was pleased as after going to bed at 8pm I had had a good sleep but was now melting and as my feet were put outside the sheet to keep cool an insect seemed be having the odd nibble ... which itched! Now the fan and air conditioner were on it was necessary for a change of strategy - total cover up to keep warm! By 5 ...