Arriving at the train station on the border we took taxis to the line between Bolivia and Brazil and proceeded with the lengthly process that was the border crossing. We'd heard these could be awkward and they tried to get money out of us first by shouting random names out to see of our tour leader stepped forward (for some reason tour or tour leaders have to pay more, Laura, our tour leader, hid outside) and then by really questioning Pete over the place of birth on his British passport (Aussies gave to pay for a visa, Brits don't).
We continued on our journey to the farm that was to be out home for our two nights in the Pantanal, a wetland region of Brazil. We realised too late that Laura, had forgotten to stop at a cash machine so we arrived with no money and our thoughts in G Adventures going seriously downhill!! Luckily it was all inclusive except for drinks and Laura was going to lend us some money but her cash was limited too so we didn't exactly feel like we could drink what we wanted....
At the farm we met with Anaconda who takes care of the tourists and he led us back to the farm. It was scorching hot but lunch was waiting for us ( due to the train and cash issue we hadn't eaten for almost 24 hours) as were comfy hammocks. Due to the heat only about 5 of us went on the late afternoon safari but it was well worth it. We took a small hike to a lake where the shore was covered in caimen (small alligators) and capybaras (giant rodents). We wandered around them really close but they weren't bothered by us at all.
After a very basic dinner and a small bonfire (to ward off the Mosquitos) we retreated to our barn of hammocks for bed.
Next morning we got up super early to go on safari and we were grateful for it as it really was so hot (by late afternoon the rumour was that the temperature had reached 47!). Early is also the best time to see animals and we saw some real treats, the highlight being two separate giant otters (yes really, such a thing does exist) devouring caimen that they had just killed. We were very sorry to fave missed the kill though, it would face been pretty fascinating. We ended the safari with an hour of piranha fishing. Pete managed to catch one, I didn't but I had a lot of fun trying.
After lunch we were due to go horse riding but it was postponed until late afternoon due to the heat. We sat in the outside hammocks and took a cold shower every hour for the rest of the afternoon! Horse riding later was fun but still hot. It was the second time I've ever been so luckily I was given a lazy horse who just wanted to stop and eat the whole time.
Bed was early as we had a long trip the next day to Bonito and had to be up early.