The flight to Cuiabá wasn't until 7pm that night so the majority of the afternoon was spent in the hotel reception reading, playing pool and processing photos (in Gareth's case) but the time flew by.
In no time we were back at the tiny airport boarding a tiny plane. I have to say it was an odd flight, Brazilian children running up and down the isle whilst the seatbelt light was on! But after take-off a snack was provided (ham and cheese roll - a popular choice in Brazil) so all was right with the world.
Another affable Brazilian chap with great English said we had beautiful accents (he must have been referring to me) and proceeded to tell us about his home town of Cuiabá - the third most violent city in Brazil. That warmed my heart greatly. Still it was only one night and then we'd be off to the Pantinal in the morning.
A pot-holed taxi ride through the ugliest streets I had seen in this country took us to our hotel - again rather ugly in comparison to the previous hotel. Our room was basic and desperately hot - that hot and wet tropical kind of heat. The air conditioning seemed archaic and created the noise of an industrial generator. This hotel had seen better days but the staff were attentive and it was just for a night.
The following morning I awoke to a pleasantly cool room and removed my earplugs while the generator chugged along. The four of us ventured out to breakfast which was devoid of tourists but nice enough. But three mosquito bites later I was forced to retire to our room to shower, apply sun cream and jungle formula insect repellant. Yes, in this part of the world mosquito's bite in the day also. Fabulous.
Half an hour early (luckily we were ready), the van from the Pantanal resort arrived to collect us and we were on our way!!
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