That's my rather inelegant dive into one of the natural swimming holes. The day was scorching and gave a taste of what was to come. We probably wouldn't have chosen this as a day out, standing around and consuming yet more caiparinhas and guess what? more barbecued meat, but Bonito has limited charms otherwise.
The real deal in Bonito is the chance to snorkel down to the Rio Plata in a small group. People we had met doing the trip the other way all rated it highly. After a rough ride down dirt tracks you get to the fazenda and have some instruction and get kitted out with the gear which appears ridiculously hot in the baking sun. You have a half hour walk down through the thick forest and eventually get in to the river to familiarise yourself with the gear and my latest gadget - a waterproof cover for my camera. Just as we got into the water a giant otter wriggled round our legs and swam around. A fantastic sight.
The experience was fantastic and I would thoroughly recommend it. If we hadn't done this bit then Bonito wasn't really worth it. We were lucky because places are so limited to protect the river. Nice to finish the day drinking beer and listening to live music.
Up early to run at 5.30 but still too hot and then we headed off in a minibus into the Pantanal proper.
It's good to know that, despite needing the tourist trade, they are protecting the river. You are clocking up the experiences, snorkelling superb! We could do with some of that warmth back home!
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