Day 32: 18 September 2017 – Asunción, Paraguay.

I got up early to pick up the rental car and two hundred metres from Hertz office was stopped by traffic police for an [imaginary traffic violation]. I figured it washeaper to pay than argue, so we chatted pleasantly, in my case in hope of being let off, but that didn’t work – anyway it wasn’t too bad and I guess the police don’t earn all that much. While I wasI filling the car with gas and my wallet from the ATM Caroline went into the city to do some sightseeing.

Arthaus Hotel, Asunción, Paraguay

The Danieri was full for tonight, so we moved pretty much round the corner to the Arthaus. We had lunch in a very swish Mall – a sad contrast to the general poverty elsewhere. Caroline was particularly affected after spending the morning witnessing the stark contrasts of wealth and lifestyle that exist in a third world country. This is Paraguay, I guess.

Paraguay is not a rich city

In the afternoon we collected the laundry and went to the Botanical Gardens and Zoo. – Sadly the is zoo closed on Mondays, but we did get access to one small rehabilitation area: cramped, but the animals looked well cared for.

Had to wait for a taxi which we had arranged to meet us and spent the hour watching leaf cutter ants going about their business in the dust.