After a great treck into the Pantanal with GREEN-TRACK, I
was going on to Bolivia. However, that was not gonna' be
easy, but certainly another travelexperience though.
First I went to the police station in Corumba and got my
exit stamp, no problem. Then I went to the border partly to
get my tickets for La Paz, which Murilo from GREEN-TRACK
was kind enough to help me out with, and after that to sort
out immigration. Well that was not going to be easy. First
a Bolivian immigration officer rejected me, because I had
not brought my vaccination card. Well, entering Bolivia,
that was new to me, but no problem, I still had time to go
back to my hotel in Corumba and fetch my card. I told
Murilo, who was talking to a couple of backpackers on their
way to Brazil. Immediately he offered to run me back,and
after a brief "how was Bolivia"-chat we left the guys and
walked down to his car. Suddenly a macho-Bolivian police
officer in civilian started telling us to get out of the
car, and the same to another guy. Another couple of
officials arrived and started searching the car. I thought
someone had placed cocaine in the car or something, but it
turned out the story was very different;
on the way from the immigration office to the car
(approximately 40-50 meters) the alcoholsmelling owner of
COLIBRI TOURS,Claudine's husband, had been threatening
Murilo on his life.The reason for this, because Murilo had
employed me to work for him, taking away business from
COLIBRI TOURS !!! Never I had heard such bull.... !!!
We were all pulled into the station, where Murilo who
showed a little more sense than his colleague, and
competitor, explained the situation as it was. We were let
go after paying off the Official 50 Reais. How the other
guy got out of there I don't know, because he did not have
a cent to his name.
Anyways, we waited for the other travellers to give them a
ride back as well. While doing so, our "friend" from COLIBRI
TOURS came back up to us and threatened Murilo once again,
before setting off.......
I know the Pantanal touring business is quite competitive,
and I will not here advise one or another operator, as I
have not experienced everyones services. All I can say, is
that when you come to Corumba, don't jump on the first and
smoothest talking operator, who approaches you. Hang out in
town for a day or two, visit them all,talk to other
travellers and then go with your own best intuition. Ask
about the guides and their experience, and what animals
have been seen during the last week or two,because that is
what you are most likely to see as well.
Not all operators provide sodas, beers or snacks in camp, so
make sure you load up on that as well !
ENJOY THE PANTANAL, IT IS VERY BEAUTYFUL !
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