Lake of Mystery

Were picked up promptly by our driver Vanderlay who drives us the one our drive to Buraco das Araras” (“Macaws’ Hole”), as it is known. Its a 100m deep and 500m sinkhole in the middle of a woode area. It ws discovered back in 1912 when it was actually a cave that the roof caved in and left this vast hole. Back then it was used as a dumping ground and people would dump everything from stolen cars to dead bodys in here until the owner of the land decided to clear it with the army. It was then opened for tourism and slowly but surely the wildlife started to return. As we walk toward the first viewing platform the sky is strewn with Mcaws screaming at each other as they fly over in their pairs. When we arrive at the viewing point Iam amazed at the view below me , its like a minnie garden of eden filled with beautiful birds and were lucky enough to see a Caiman gliding effortlessly along in the water Theres only one other guy from California with us and the tour guide allows us to use her binoculars to get a better view. To actually see these animals living in their natural environment is spectacular and is something i will treasure. Its strange as yesterday on facebook there was an video of the lion in Thailand that was sedated and the keeper was having to lift its head with a stick so as people could have their photo taken with it. For me i find this cruel, the animals here arent even fed they just live in the wild, and surely thats how it should be. As we walk further around the trail just in the tree next to us we see a vulture which is joined very shortly by a falcon. Ive only ever seen this sort of thing when guys bring birds of prey to shows and this has also made me question that scenario as these two birds arent flying down to sit on anybodys arm. We continue along the trail to the second viewing tower where the lagoon surronded by the bright red walls can be seen clearer. The Mccaws are numerous and constantly dip in and out of the sink hole below us with a stream of cockatills fly over head, the tour is ended as we spot an armadillos burrow, but at this time noone is home and we get collected to be taken to the next adventure of the day. We arrive at the park but after trying to converse we find we are at the wrong place so dressed in short wetsuits we make the 5 minute drive to Lago mysteriousa. They are waiting for us and after a quick debrief make the short trek to the lake. As we make our way down we can see the lak at the bottom , a deep turquoise colour that gleams below. In the lake is a cave that has only been dived to 220 metres but no bottom was found and is the deepest cave in the world , i feel a little apprehensive as we enter the water and snorkel along the surface when suddenly i feel a . There are tiny little fish in the water and for some reason the are having me for lunch. It doesnt hurt but ever time one bites me i have a flapping attack in the water. As i look down you can see the cave below and in the water there are what looks like little twinkling starts , they are actually planktum the same thing that lihts up the sea and my thoughts are how beautiful this place would be at night. The water is perfectly clear and we get to snorkell for over an hour investigating the bottomless hole below us. It really is something special and totally understandable why this place is called Bonito. I well ready for getting out when we do as ive turned into a prune and the weather isnt so warm . Vanderlay is waiting for us when we get changed and takes us back to the hostel . On the way back he stops the car really abruptly and there in the field is an anteater its nearly the size of a cow much bigger that i ever imagined them to be, and i first i thought there were 2 of them, only to realise it was that size all on its own. Actully it was bigger than a cow. Further along the road we had to make another emergency stop as this crazy bird that looks like a road runner decided to have a race with the car. The wildlife here is fantastic and i hope and pray that this will remain unspoilt by future tourism. This evening we went to the best restaurant in town, recommended by numerous people wed spoken to and by god was it good it was absolutely heaving and i have to say i could see why, the service couldnt be faulted and the food was even better a perfect end to a perfect day.Read more