Inflated Expectation and Reality
This morning I felt much better/stronger and was ready to face the heat and humidity of life in the Brazilian Pantanal. There was no idea what to anticipate, so my mind wandered to extremes, while taking in the passing scenery.
Safe, in the confines of a truck bed, I don't know who won the "staring contest" between this pooch and me?
But, we definitely could have used his help in clearing the road ahead. Argentina may be famous for beef consumption, but thus far I've seen nothing but cattle in the clear cut pasture lands and now all across the road, too.
After about three hours in a minivan, we were dropped at a rather nondescript intersection for cross-docking into a much more rugged and antiquated vehicle.
This diesel spuing monster was actually a pretty good mobile vantage point for the changing landscape. With each passing kilometer water density increased and so did the humidity.
The vinyl covered collective seat board, attached to an apparently shock-less frame, didn't seem like a good alternative to the natural jolt absorption of standing, so I enjoyed an hour and twenty minute leg workout on the way to the campo.
To my surprise, "Ecological Preserve" in Brazil doesn't exclude ranching. So, the Pantanal is literally swimming with bovine swarms, who reinforce the previous clear cutting of the jungle.
The Eco-Lodge itself far exceeded general expectations. The brick and cement buildings came with mosquito screens and a mildly functioning wall mounted oscillating fan.
Outside, hammocks awaited shade seeking passengers.
Imagination was met with real naturally extravagant trees, complete with no nonsense bark spikes.
The colors of even seemingly simple plants vibrated with an almost neon energy.
Excited to get out in the bush, to see the wild life, a few animals "beat me to the punch" and wandered into camp. Many parrots enjoy the shelter and occasional free food.
But the biggest surprise came in the little package of Marisa. She is a bush pig, separated from her mother and found by gauchos during the rainy season. The staff of the Eco-Lodge bottle fed her to health and now she is just as much a resident of the camp as they are. Marisa is super friendly and loves a pet of her thick quill like fur.
At just over a year, she is still very curious and came very close to giving the lens a good "snout sniff". Playing with Marisa only reinforced the anticipation for what the morning would bring in animal sightings out in the jungle.
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