March 27, 2014 - Thursday. Puerto Valle, Argentina

March 27, 2014 - Thursday,  Puerto Valle Hotel

BOTTOM LINE:
Relaxing morning
Boat Ride on river

BACK STORY:
Not much to report.  Had a relaxing morning and decided to use the two bikes that had been calling to us. Thankfully the tires were inflated but there was no height adjustment for seats or handle bars...no matter, we were off.

We meandered down a red dirt road in search of any monkeys that might be calling.  Since we were on private property we had no fear of getting lost.  All roads would eventually lead back to the hotel. The following are pictures taken around the ranch.

Lawn art

drunken tree (bottle shape)

pollination of drunken tree blossom

hibiscus

Bird of Paradise

Tree frog

We passed a building that was set up with three screened walls for a BBQ area.  Tables, chairs and a bar were visible with a view of the rio.

We passed the living quarters of the gauchos or the permanent employees of the ranch.  Then we picked up a very pungent odor...a caiman farm.

Circling back the road led past a eucalyptus tree nursery equipped with automatic sprinkler and irrigation systems, screening and rows upon rows of saplings.  A tractor towed flats of foot high, little green trees with a red blush tops to a staging area for forest planting.

eucalyptus saplings

transporting for planting

harvest

The multipurpose ranch had a diversity in its business plan and seemed to be thriving with the endeavors we saw.

After a 2pm lunch,  we met Jose for a 4pm boat ride out on the Parana Rio for Bruce to go fishing.  I went for the ride and picture taking.  Our start was not good.  As we waited on the dock Jose, in a controlled shout called out to "get the boat plug!"  The floor of the 20 foot outboard boat was filling with water. The boat had been launched without checking for the plug!  In no time the plug arrived, was installed and a pump began sucking the water out of the boat.

The size of the river was quite wide and resembled a lake more than a river.  We traveled up river a short distance and turned up into an inlet that had downed trees giving more of a habitat for fish.  It was like going up into an Amazon River tributary...a real jungle with vines and floating logs.

resort dock

Jose taking us up the Parana River

Quiet arm of river

While Bruce got his line wet, Jose steered the boat looking for things that might be of interest to teach us about the river habitat or a picture moment for me to enjoy.

bird 1

bird 3

bird 2

One thing we found was what appeared to be an abandoned camp set up with a make-shift canvas tent and tree posts.  Jose told us that the country has had a problem with drugs coming in from Paraguay and Brazil.  The large Parana River that separates the countries makes an easy way of smuggling illegal contraband.  The camp was most likely that of the Argentina military.  We bought into the story.

homeless camp

Minutes later the story was proven wrong when we spotted a man, his dog and his young son rowing into the deep inlet.  The camp was the man's home.  He rowed up near us, was very polite and wore a clean shirt, pants and a hat.  He obviously was very poor and was out trying to catch a fish for dinner, but had no luck.  We gave him what snacks and fruit we had for which he was very grateful.

The poverty in this country is not easily visible, but when it rears it's ugly head it is suffocatingly sad. I could not look into his eyes as it would reflect a hard time that I had in my own life...a time when your pride and confidence yields to the unfortunate situation.  He quietly rowed off leaving me with questions of what had been witnessed. "Help the orphans and widows, help the impoverished" were echoes in my heart.  You don't know what you don't know.  Bless the needy!

Although the birds were in abundance, the fish were not interested...if there were any!??
We headed back to the estancia with another gorgeous sunset to our backs.  This sunset was different however.  On the horizon silhouetted against the darkening sky we could see large high voltage electrical lines.  The power source was at the large dam down river from us.

A number of years ago there was a disturbing movie made about the construction of the dam, the flooding of the river banks and displacement of native people.  The ranch that we were staying at was battling the constant rising waters and erosion of the back.  Large chunks of grass and soil were being taken daily by the river and steps for stabilizing the edge were being taken.