brynns-travel-blog

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Warm, windy, and friendly.

I was greeted by many smiling faces at the airport, a gentleman singing to passengers as we queued for border control, and helpful locals pointing me towards the bus.

Then, the first of many encounter with local chickens.

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On the road again…

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Animals! Tacos! Temperate rainforests!

Finally not drowning in my own sweat! I really do love Monteverde

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On the bus-boat-bus ride from Tortuguero to Arenal and then to Monteverde

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Tortuguero township and National Park

I have never seen so many monkeys in my life!

And despite not seeing any nesting mother turtles (tail end of the season) we did see plenty of babies making their way to ocean!

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Peurto Viejo de Talamanca - sand, sea, sloths, cats, tacos, and chocolate.

What more could someone want?

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Caiman House in Yupukari Village, North Rupununi Guyana.

I think I may have found paradise on Earth.

I visited during the dry season, but in the wet, everything the light touches is flooded by one of two neighbouring river systems.

The Mapuke people were so welcoming and full of knowledge about their breathtaking environment. Caiman House EcoLodge was beautiful and super comfortable and activities were balanced by plenty of rest during the hottest part of the day and plentiful fresh food, tailored to guests’ preferences.

We went on a caiman capture trip to support research into black caiman populations, visited the village’s turtle conservation project, saw the blue backed manakin on a birdwatching walk, saw giant anteaters and giant otters and the Agame heron, and hundreds of other creatures I’ll never remember the names of.

If you’re looking for somewhere to go as a South American alternative to the African Safari, I cannot recommend the Rupununi region enough. And I’ll put in a special word for Caiman House - it’s run by and for the community and delivering training and opportunities to a community of around a thousand people. The guides are working to develop more remote and immersive opportunities and the money from the lodge is supporting programs to develop local artists and crafters into independent sellers, and supporting women to establish commercially successful cassava processing in nearby villages. The staff all rotate through from other roles in the village to share skills around and I did not meet a single person who wasn’t unbelievable generous, knowledgeable, and absolutely thrilled to share their home with tourists.

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Not so much street art in Georgetown but nevertheless colourful.

The city really shows it’s Dutch/French/British colonial history in the planning and architecture with strong Indian and African influences in the food and music. It’s a phenomenal melting pot and continuous sensory experience.

Next time I come here I’ll need to do a proper city tour rather than just the dawn sea wall trip. (Though - that was brilliant. Ride Along Guyana are great. Highly recommend their service and knowledge)

Not pictured - the glorious aromas of bushfire smoke and fish offal on a 36 degree day.

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Even in the dry season these falls took my breath away.

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Jaguar Eco Lodge in the Pantanal was amazing.

The big bird above looked like a cross between an ibis and a goose and sounded like a duck with asthma. I have no idea what it was, but I can confirm it makes a very effective alarm clock!

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I found a friend!

Or rather, a frog arrived on my bathroom and told me we were going to be friends. And really who am I to argue with that face?

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Rio is amazing. The energy and ‘que sera sera’ type attitude of the city is infectious.

It’s got an intriguing sense of ordered lawlessness - especially around road rules.

Everyone knows what they’re doing, but lane markers, red lights, speed limits, and flower beds are all mere suggestions to the Cariocas.

I think navigating Central bus station at peak hour should be the new challenge after navigating the Arc du Triomphe for measuring driving prowess. I say here and now that I will never ever attempt it.

The mountains are also Very Pretty. But I figured that didn’t really need saying.

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And now art from the big wide world of Rio de Janeiro - outside the terminal edition

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Does in count as street art if you’re still in the airport terminal?

I’m sensing a definite theme here