Que Bonito!

So, from the Pantanal, we headed off to Bonito. Which was indeed "beautiful", as its name suggests. The town had a seaside resort feel, although it was inland! But by a river. The main point of visiting Bonito was to see the famous crystal clear waters and snorkel down the river. It is a protected area, and only a certain number of tourists are allowed through per day in small groups to minimise the impact on the environment. The guide was telling us that he believes that tourist access will be blocked completely in the next few years, as has happened to other areas of the same river.
Initially the idea of snorkeling down the crystal clear rivers, and seeing all the species of fish close up sounded amazing. So - yay says we, and we book it. Then we find out to get to the starting point, we first get into wetsuits, then ride in a truck (in said wetsuits and rubber boots) to the edge to the forest/ jungle. Then we trek (in said wetsuits and rubber boots) for 30mins through the jungle. Hmmmm.... not sounding so good. No insect repellent allowed, due to polution of crystal clear waters. Hmmmm hmmmm..... 35degrees C ish, humidity, jungle, wetsuits, rubber boots and mozzies, not a great combination me thinks. So, we all began to wonder what we had got ourselves into. Anyway, although pretty icky, the trek wasn´t so bad. And the rivers were truely spectacular. It was amazing to just be carried along by the current as all the fish some centimentres away from your mask, although within reach of your fingertips, only to dart away at the last minute. Beautiful golden douradas (river versions of the ones we ate in Portugal?? oops!) all sorts of tiny fish, big fish, coloured fish, stripy fish, spotty fish.... you get the idea! Amazing!
It was really floating rather than snorkeling, and it was well worth it. The trip finished at a natural under water "volcano" where the sand bubbled up from the river bed, and we tried to dive down and touch it whilst the bubbles forced us back up. Fascinating! Then back to the ranch, where we stayed, for beer and popcorn.
We all ended up with a mozzie bite or two, but since apparently there is no malaria or dengy fever in that area, it is only the infernal itching that we all have to deal with now! Why exactly were mosquitos invented?? Are they of any use to society??
Day 2 in Bonito was spent relaxing by the river beach and swimming in another part of the river that is open to the general public for a small fee, and not protected like the crystal clear section. There were still fish swimming around us, even as the kids played in their rubber rings, and jumped in. One of the other girls and I got caught up in a feeding frenzy as two little girls tipped a bag of fish food in around us. A lot of splashing and flicking, but luckily they knew the difference between us and the food!
Any how, we reached Paraguay this evening, and we only have a day here before we head back to Brazil and Iguacu Falls. So tomorrow we are going to make the most of being millionaires - the exchange rate is 7,000 guaranis to the pound (more or less!), and do a city tour, and possibly a spot of tax-free shopping!
Hugs to all. x