Year 3 in Photos

Our third year in Paraguay was a great one. We are excited to move on to our next adventure, but will always have fond memories of the strange, isolated, and beautiful place that is Paraguay.

The number one word used to describe Paraguay is Tranquilo - often there is just not much going on. We found lots of ways to occupy ourselves, but hanging out in the backyard by the grill and the pool was always an easy, enjoyable option. 

We also loved getting out of the city and found kayaking Paraguay's many rivers to be another great pastime. The rivers are the original highways of Paraguay and getting in a boat is a great way to enjoy fishing, see wildlife and experience parts of the countryside that are otherwise inaccessible. 

Rio Ypané, Paraguay

Ben paddling the Rio Paraguay near Conceptión, Paraguay

Kristi works some magic in our kitchen. Cooking was another enjoyable pastime that kept us occupied when living in South America. A very limited national palette was further incentive to take on new cooking projects.

Baking Chipa (a traditional Paraguayan Bread) in our brick oven called a Tatakua ("fire hole" in Guaraní). We also figured out how to use it for smoking fish and pork.

When eating local food, lomito (Arabe pictured above, or sandwich) is a great unhealthy option.

Korean is another delicious option for eating out in Asunción.

Local fish dishes, like this piranha soup, are another good culinary option in Paraguay.

Finding good beer is another challenge to living in South America. Fortunately, craft beer is quickly becoming more popular. Left: two of Paraguay's better artisanal beers Herken Pale Ale and Sajonia Pale Ale. Right: imported beers are also showing up. This Lagunitas IPA was Kristi's birthday miracle we stumbled across at Ninjas con Apetito in Asunción.

 

We also took two trips to Brazil this past year, which among other things involved visiting lots of nice beaches, like this one in Florianópolis.

Or this one near Salvador

Old Salvador

 Kristi Swimming in Parque Chapada Diamantina.

River scene, northern Patagonia

Pet coati Ben met while camping with a fishing family on the Paraguay River

 Poolside at hotel Altagracia in Caacupé

 Ilha do Campeche, Brazil

Driving the Paraguayan back roads in our tiny Toyata Vitz is something I will not miss. We were able to go a surprising number of places, but would have much better off if we could have afforded a car with more clearance. 

 Capybaras, the world's largest (cutest?) rodent

 Cows

Foz do Iquazu

 Road side vegetable stand near San Estanislao, Paraguay

 Kristi with our small friend Juniper

Exploring the Paraguayan Chaco

 Camping on the Rio Aquidabán

 Road side scene ruta 9

Dorado flies, Paraña River

 Rural scene in northern Patagonia

Peccary for sale in the Paraguyan Chaco (also the reason wildlife is rarely encountered).

 River scene, Paraguay River near Asunción.

 Esteros del Iberá, Argentina

Rural Scene, Ayolas, Paraguay

  Flooded cattle ranch in the Chaco Paraguay