11:45 - This morning, as it turns out, we did the most relaxing thing I think I have ever done :-)! We did go on the canoe trip, but we were on two kayaks and I was sitting in the front with my camera and Nico (one of the chaps from the lodge) did all the paddling from the back (similar situation with the germans and Raul on the other kayak). But it was not a very fast and furious affair...we almost drifted along, in complete silence amongst and under the vegetat...

18:30 - I did set my alarm for 6.30 but alas I was woken up rather early (just before 6) by a squawking bunch of birds or ducks or such like! Other than that I slept soundly. After breakfast and a first attempt to use the wifi to check my mail (not very successful), Raul, our guide for the next three days, talked us through the basics of the Pantanal region. It is so hot because it has four warm winds converging on it, it is flooded 6 months a year and it is dry ...

16:30 - I've now crossed over to Brazil where I will spend my time until the end of this month except for a small interruption to go and visit Easter Island about half way through. Me and my heavy luggage were picked up at 1pm this morning and Pablo (driver) and Rick (guide) took me over the border into Brasil to visit the waterfalls from their side. They are 20% brasilian and 80% argentinian I am told. The view from Brasil is more complete but it is like: you c...

17:30 - Pick up at 7.30! On the bus I met Nina and Graham from the last tour. We spent the day at the falls on the Argentinian side. And may I say WOW!!!!!! Awesome!!!!!! Amazing sight all that water spilling over with a continuous roar. It has been a while on the trip since anything has had this sort of effect on me. The guide attempted to railroad people into doing a jungle adventure tour which included a jeep tour in the jungle around the falls and a zodiac ri...

10:15 - I seem to have come full circle as I sit here waiting for boarding at the same gate that we left for Salta from just over 5 weeks ago...although there is one marked difference: I now have so many great memories of the places I have seen and the people that I have spent time with over the past 6 weeks. The flight for Iguazu leaves in about an hour and after a difficult start this morning where Sunitta managed to keep my driver waiting 20 minutes even thou...