I have no idea why, but I forgot to put my earplugs in last night. Don’t know if that’s why, but I woke up every house, so not so well-rested when the alarm went off at 5:15. But we were out the door in 10 minutes and joined another couple and Chaco, our guide, for the 12 minute walk to the howler monkey tower, where I’d enjoyed a beautiful sunset the night before. We climbed up the steps in the quiet, and enjoyed the sight of the light spreading across the plains. All the cicadas awoke at the same moment. There was silence, and then in an instant, a symphony! Occasional grunts, frogs that sound like ducks, and in about ten more minutes, we could hear the monkeys awake and grunting. What a sound! I had to record it to listen to another time or I would definitely forget it.
We enjoyed the Pantanal waking up for about 15 more minutes, then headed back for breakfast. As soon as that was done, we headed into the truck for our morning canoe ride. A 7:30 departure should allow us to be back around 10 or so, plenty of time to pack, shower and have a bite to eat before leaving for the airport at 12:30.
An hour drive – and lucky me, we went on the same drive and through the same farm that I skipped yesterday morning – and we were at a different section of the same river we boated on that is owned by the lodge. Along the way, I learned that the owners of Araras lodge purchased 3,000 hectares of land for about $375,000 US. Now that’s a deal! Anyway, we got paddles and life jackets and set off on the incredibly quiet waterway.
Lots of water lilies, water hyacinths and birds in the water (cormorants, herons and snake birds) and not so much wildlife on the banks. It was fun to be back in a canoe, though. For those of you who don’t know, canoeing was my main passion at summer camp in Maine – I went on several overnight canoe trips that culminated in one week out in the wilderness with about 14 other girls and counselors – seeing no one else in that time, carrying our own food and portaging when necessary. Even canoeing through rapids. All that sounds pretty tame to Coloradans, I know, but it was pretty damn edgy way back when.
After about an hour or so, we head back and wait for the other couple and their guide to return. We were told that we were going to be departing at 9, but as the clock wound around to 10, those of us who needed to head to the airport began to get concerned. Our guide went to look for the other couple, and finally got back a bit after 10. We load up, relieved, but then the truck won’t start! He tries and tries, we push and push, but nothing will get the engine to turn over.
We insist they call camp and get someone else out to fetch us, and then wait around more. It takes a full hour for them to get us, and then, after yelling at the newly-arrived driver not to worry about the broken down truck and get in and drive!!!!! we’re headed back to camp. I tell you, it really pays to have the Latin American attitude of ” no worries, there’s plenty of time, it’s all fine”, because it really is and was. But it was hard not to get tense. We quickly shower, pack and shovel lunch in and then we’re on our way. They had told us it was 2 1/2 hours to the airport, but it was really 2, so lots of time. Someone from their office met us, since I couldn’t really speak enough Portuguese to inquire as to the whereabouts of my wallet, and we’ve checked our bags and retrieved my wallet in no time. Yes Evan, still only temporarily misplaced!!
We head upstairs for a snack, and the gelato is definitely the best choice. Board the first plane, bound for Rio de Janeiro, where we have a 2 hour layover, and then another plane that will carry us to Iguassu for a midnight landing. Definitely going to request a late start for our touring tomorrow! An adventure in an adventure. Life is so unpredictable, it’s just best to laugh and see the unexpected as opportunities, not problems. Ho, ho, ho. Aren’t I just so Holland….