28/4/2014 Foz Do Igausu to Yguazú
D50, T6, AV17.7, 27,399 1909
Fine and mild
Camping
Waking up, in no hurry to get going as I expected the Consulate to open at 1000.
Looking on the net their hours were from 0830.
It was a short walk there.
The girl at reception told me I needed two photos and 364 Reales.
This was organized in town, another short walk away.
Once back she said I would have to wait till 1400.
Back at the hostal they were great letting me occupy the room till then.
It had been a relaxing stay at the Green House, it comes recommended.
Loading the bike I rode back to the Paraguay consulate and all was ready.
Great, finally entering Paraguay is a reality.
The bridge across the Paraná was just as hectic. At BR immigration, I told them no stamp was obtained going back to Brazil on Saturday.
She was great and just grabbed another stamp machine and back dated it for me.
Once at the PY immigration we joked about their country the only one wanting a visa.
Soon I was on my way.
Leaving this incredibly vibrant busy town. I got some local currency and a new Claro sim card and got out of there.
It had been 4 days in urban areas it was good to be away from that.
The traffic was mayhem though thinned out as the kilometres added up.
Just on dark I pulled into a place where they were selling hot chickens and asked if I could camp there.
The owner Mario was fantastic he moved his car from a shed and let me camp in there. A hot shower was enjoyed before tuna and pasta.
I had a beer with Mario and his son at the shop as the trucks hurled by in the evening.
It was nice to back on the airbed again, it is so comfortable.
29/4/2014 Yguazú to 20km sth east of Coronel Oviedo
D139, T9, Av20, max56, 27,588 2,048
Overcast, slight northerly
Camping
It was great to have spent the night inside the shed.
Mario slid the door about 0730 to get chook food, about that time I got up.
Breakfast was the same two courses, coffee and porridge.
I spent time with Mario and his wife for half an hour, chatting about a few things, food, and cooking.
They were really nice people and everso kind to me.
On the road, as expected it was busy busy.
Just a constant stream of trucks with grain heading to Asunción to unload it onto boats for the trip down the Paraguay river and into bigger boats at Cuidad del Este before going down river to Buenos Aires and beyond.
There was a good shoulder though it had judder bars evenly spaced along it.
To stop people undertaking and direct water off the road.
Large sections of road had a small piece of the judder bars removed so motos could travel down the shoulder. This was great for me.
Going down hills at speed I moved out on to the road for safety, it was tricky dodging the obstructions.
Motos were everywhere, on the wrong side of the road coming straight at me, they were all observant riders.
The terrain was gentle hills it made for great riding.
Cows were tethered iin many places on the road side chewing the lush grass.
Chooks were also in abundance on the roadside. They were very traffic wise. Much of the time feeding on the shoulder, looking for loose grain which there was plenty.
It really was a laid back atmosphere away from the road.
Every now and again there would be a huge silo complex always making a noise as the grain is augered up the tubes.
Roadside fruit stalls were in abundance, as were gomerias, tyre repair places.
An apple and a drink was enjoyed at one.
By the time 60km was done so was I.
I pulled in at Dr J.E. Estegarribia for lunch.
A locals only outside eating place was found. Here you were given a plate and could fill it with roast chicken and beef done in a variety of ways, all this with salads.
My plate could hold no more by the time my table was reached.
A couple of guys selling pirated Cd’s were hanging about. They said they get no tourists here.
To date only one group of local cyclists have been seen on this trip.
Most riders are in the Andes or on the west coast. This was expected.
It will be quite an occasion to see another cyclist.
From here the road was still incredibly busy, just so many trucks.
A large bottle of coke was had in Caaguazú before moving on.
It was now after 1600. Tiredness was setting in.
Coming to an intersection at 1800, a couple of icecreams were enjoyed and the nights water supply sought.
With this I headed up the tarred side road just to get away from the traffic.
It is quite busy with grain trucks also.
The roadsides in most cases are not fenced so camping is no problem, there is lots of space and trees on properties, so asking to camp usually gets an affirmative reply
A few km up here I asked a farmer if i could camp on his property, all was good,
I settled in for the night, expecting rain tomorrow. It is forecast
Only coffee and tea were needed, lunch was still nourishing me.
It was a very mild night, mild enough for rain maybe.
The farmer and his wife were very old and lived a humble existence. I thought about hteir lives and all the wars they must have seen and even fought in here in Paraguay.
Once again the people here in South America move me with their layed back attitude and hospitality.
I set the tent up in the dark
30/4/2014 Sth east of Coronel Oviedo to Caacupé
D101, T9, Av18.47, max56, 27,690 2,149
Torrential rain and thunder storms
Minor flooding
Hospedaje Peregrino
Well the forecast and the farmer were right, the thunder started at about 0200, then the isolated spots, then the rain proper.
I had got a few things prepared last night in the event of this occurrence.
I am getting quite good at packing up inside the tent and when all is sorted, most things are dry.
I wandered over and thanked the family, their son was there, telling me he had just planted tomatoes and pepino yesterday, so he was happy with the rain.
I headed off about 0830 without any breakfast and had no dinner last night.
Sure enough, breakfast was needed half an hour later.
A shelter was found and the normal fare was had. Another guy pulled in to avoid the heavy rain.
Across the road I used the loo.
Feeling well fed and moving on, this rain was now torrential and laced with thunder and lightning.
My breakfast was soon burnt up in the conditions, two delightful hamburgers were enjoyed at a road stall some 40km on.
I had leant my bike on a small post, anyway the prop gave way, it fell over and nearly took out the whole stall.
I was most apologetic, the woman cared less than me. We joked about putting it against a small tree.
This rain was now causing problems with minor flooding. Parts of the shoulder were under 70-100 mm of running water.
Riding was a full time act of concentration. I was wet through but remained warm as long as I kept moving.
This was going to really test the panniers waterproof capabilities.
Going down hills, I had to move out on to the road, many of the side judder bars were complete.
This was a bit hazardous given the low visibility.
Water was literally everywhere, trucks coming towards me would send a further drenching my way.
It was all pretty full on, adrenalin was pumping, it was quite dangerous. At one time there was the most brightest of lightening above, thunder moments later shook the place.
All the while, a full commitment was needed, every piece of road was different, judder bars, surface water, shredded tryes, cars pulling out to pass, the sound of trucks, water in my face, dirt on the side and above all this traffic noise coupled thunder. It was quite a buzz.
Importantly my body, feet and hands were warm.
It was one of those days when I knew this is where I wanted to be, it was exciting. There was a destination, a challenge and purpose.
After all it is only water.
At Eusebio Ayala, with 85km for the day, I pulled in wet as a shag and asked at the gas station if there was a hospedaje here, the answer was no.
A panadería was found and a couple of empanadas and a chicken roll devoured.
The rest left me quite cold. I had to get moving, my hands and feet were numb. It was a further 18 km to Caacupé. I had no choice but to get there.
Leaving the bike in high gears climbing, I soon warmed up and got back into the rhythm. The rain never stopped.
Further back there were houses under water and some small bridges were close to going under. Animals were walking round in metre deep flood waters in the paddocks.
Minor flooding was reported in the news for southern Paraquay.
My thoughts went back to yesterday, I was so pleased to have put in that big one. The sooner I get off this busy road the better.
Though, I will say the traffic is really respectful. The only tooting was to let me know of their presence.
There was always a lip coming from the shoulder back onto the road proper, on a couple of occasions the tyres slipped along this for short periods, due to crossing it at such an acute angle.
The front tyre could be helped across, it was the rear wheel slipping.
Then it would bite, it was great to feel the Mondial aggressive tread biting into the asphalt lip and safely getting up me onto the road.
An accident like this doesn’t bare thinking about.
Once in town, wasted best sums up my disposition. Asking about hostals, most people directed me to expensive places.
As always, just away from the plaza there are always good value digs.
The Hospedaje, Peregrino, was found at 14 de Mayo and Boquerón
The people were great. I spent time with them and they feed me.
The room had reverse cycle air, so things are drying right now.
My tent is still soaked, that’s ok it can be dried in Asunción tomorrow.
My panniers are not waterproof at the bottoms, it appears to be where the plastic fittings are attached. Luckily knowing this, the front one with my computer was lined with a plastic bag.
I am going to do this for all four now. Riding through surface water at speed, forces it into these fittings and on into the bag.
It is not alot, just enough to be a pain.
It was unbelievably nice to have had hot shower after a challenging and rewarding day here in this small landlocked country.
More rain is forecast for tomorrow. It ia also a public holiday
1/5/2014 Caacupé to Asunción
D, 58T3, Av16.84, max68, 27,748 2,207
Fine and clear
Warm showers host
The forecast had been for more overcast conditions, pocking my head out the door blue sky welcomed me to the day.
I was keen to get to Asunción, it marked the end of another sector in the trip north.
I was also looking forward to being a Warmshowers guest of a peace Corp volunteer in Asunción.
The trip was mostly through urbanized areas on the way to town.
Older style commuter buses and i were continually catching each other as they stopped to pick up or drop off passengers and my ability to weave thtrough traffic stopped at traffic lights.
There was sand and debris about, indicating they too had had a lot of rain.
Twenty km into the trip, 3 hamburgers and a coke were enjoyed whilst chatting with the lady in the shop near Ypacarai. The burgers were little buns with beef and lettuce inserted, very healthy and good energy.
The woman told me many animals around hte town had drown and been washed away in the swollen streams. Many of which were still racing along under the road bridges.
One area people were seen wading around in water outside their house.
It is not the water that is the real issue, it is the mud that it carries which settles as the water recedes and the effluent.
Riding in the crystal clear day was a pleasure.
I enjoy darting among the traffic, in most cases bicycles in cities have it all over cars when it come to getting somewhere.
Though all this traffic, especially the old buses were giving me a full on fix of diesel fumes.
Similar to leaving Cuidad del Este, but nowhere as bad as entering Quito.
I stopped at a street market and bought pears, telling the lovely old lady they were the best I’d had for over a year.
They were so sweet. From AR.
Arriving in Asunción was like getting into a large country town. Mayhem of a city was expected.
It was leafy and not overly busy.
Though inadvertently and not planned it was a perfect day to arrive here. It was El dia de los Trabajadores, or labour day.
The owners at the Preregrino, had said don’t ride around in the afternoon as there will be many drunk drivers about.
Good advice. My host Lydia had arranged to meet me at a corner near her house.
My arrival was at about 1400, we caught up and headed to her house.
She was a peace Corp volunteer who had spent nearly 3 years here in PY, she had just moved into the city for her last few months to help coordinate things.
She is keen to cycle back to her home in Washington state.
She was flat out asking me questions about my gear among other things.
That evening we wandered round to a friends house for dinner and a few beers.
Next door there were a bunch of people celebrating the day. We had to buy beer next door. These people were incredibly friendly and somewhat drunk, so needless to say we spent some time talking with them on the street.
In Asunción, a dental checkup and some filling cavities were needing to be repaired.
Lydia gave me the name of the peace corp dentist.
She did the repair work, it was quite expensive, tough she seemed very professional and capable.
My need to have a Rabies vaccine was also attended to at the Obrero Hospital here in town.
Once there, the amount of people waiting to be seen was huge, a hundred or more.
Luckily there was a little area for vaccinations, myself and a couple of young mothers were the only ones waiting. My initial injection was over and done within 10 minutes.
I need my second one in 8 days and the third in 28 days.
Hoping that timing will suit, the next one should be in Concepción. The third, who knows where, though the nurse told me I will get protection with just two shots, three is off course better.
This is a free service here. The first shot in NZ was going to be $200.
I found myself a reasonable room at the Hotel Korean in town, on Herrera near Brazil, quite good value and very central.
I will need to be here till Tuesday as my last dental appointment is late Monday.
The city is full of imported second hand Japanese cars, lots of which are Mercedes.
Like most cities here the footpaths are an obstacle course, they really add to the shopping experience.
The rain the other day was quite an event with much infrastructure damage to bridges and roads, it was all over the news.
It sure made for an interesting days riding.
The climate here is very humid with 27 to 31 degree days, the guys were saying it can get to 40° here with humidity.
The few days here have been very enjoyable, Lydia was fantastic company and fun, we spent a night out together with some of her Peace Corp friends. Every country I have been in and met Peace Corp people from the US, they have been such delightful company.
Then on Sunday we caught up for lunch, she and her friend Mike were with the parents of a volunteer that sadly passed away here from an allergy that caused breathing difficulties.
They are here visiting the village he was volunteering in.
My heart goes out to them. Stuff like this is not meant to happen.
The giving of a few years of their life to help the less informed and fortunate in some of these South American, is something I admire greatly.
Lydia has a website that is very interesting, I wished her all the best in making her dream to ride back home a reality.
I know she will do it. I told her that right now, I am living a dream, and it is pretty damn good. This I told her.
Her website is: pedalandplow.com
My teeth are now in perfect working order and a second battery for my Samsung was bought, rather than going for the solar recharge option.
Asunción is quite difficult to find your way around, it is on a grid pattern, but within the CBD, the grid is in blocks, one area north and south, then the next NW and SE.
It is always good language practise asking people the direction.
There is no subway, but a great network of old buses that stop anywhere to pick people up.
Often sitting in the front seats to talk to the driver about where to disembark, the engine noise of the old diesels hammering away was deafening. It is a wonder the drivers could even hear being exposed to this noise all day.
Asunción is a nice size city, not to big, it has a good music scene with little bars everywhere. Eateries from comedores to flash restaurants are also in abundance.
I will leave here with fond memories.
D50, T6, AV17.7, 27,399 1909
Fine and mild
Camping
Waking up, in no hurry to get going as I expected the Consulate to open at 1000.
Looking on the net their hours were from 0830.
It was a short walk there.
The girl at reception told me I needed two photos and 364 Reales.
This was organized in town, another short walk away.
Once back she said I would have to wait till 1400.
Back at the hostal they were great letting me occupy the room till then.
It had been a relaxing stay at the Green House, it comes recommended.
Loading the bike I rode back to the Paraguay consulate and all was ready.
Great, finally entering Paraguay is a reality.
The bridge across the Paraná was just as hectic. At BR immigration, I told them no stamp was obtained going back to Brazil on Saturday.
She was great and just grabbed another stamp machine and back dated it for me.
Once at the PY immigration we joked about their country the only one wanting a visa.
Soon I was on my way.
Leaving this incredibly vibrant busy town. I got some local currency and a new Claro sim card and got out of there.
It had been 4 days in urban areas it was good to be away from that.
The traffic was mayhem though thinned out as the kilometres added up.
Just on dark I pulled into a place where they were selling hot chickens and asked if I could camp there.
The owner Mario was fantastic he moved his car from a shed and let me camp in there. A hot shower was enjoyed before tuna and pasta.
I had a beer with Mario and his son at the shop as the trucks hurled by in the evening.
It was nice to back on the airbed again, it is so comfortable.
29/4/2014 Yguazú to 20km sth east of Coronel Oviedo
D139, T9, Av20, max56, 27,588 2,048
Overcast, slight northerly
Camping
It was great to have spent the night inside the shed.
Mario slid the door about 0730 to get chook food, about that time I got up.
Breakfast was the same two courses, coffee and porridge.
I spent time with Mario and his wife for half an hour, chatting about a few things, food, and cooking.
They were really nice people and everso kind to me.
On the road, as expected it was busy busy.
Just a constant stream of trucks with grain heading to Asunción to unload it onto boats for the trip down the Paraguay river and into bigger boats at Cuidad del Este before going down river to Buenos Aires and beyond.
There was a good shoulder though it had judder bars evenly spaced along it.
To stop people undertaking and direct water off the road.
Large sections of road had a small piece of the judder bars removed so motos could travel down the shoulder. This was great for me.
Going down hills at speed I moved out on to the road for safety, it was tricky dodging the obstructions.
Motos were everywhere, on the wrong side of the road coming straight at me, they were all observant riders.
The terrain was gentle hills it made for great riding.
Cows were tethered iin many places on the road side chewing the lush grass.
Chooks were also in abundance on the roadside. They were very traffic wise. Much of the time feeding on the shoulder, looking for loose grain which there was plenty.
It really was a laid back atmosphere away from the road.
Every now and again there would be a huge silo complex always making a noise as the grain is augered up the tubes.
Roadside fruit stalls were in abundance, as were gomerias, tyre repair places.
An apple and a drink was enjoyed at one.
By the time 60km was done so was I.
I pulled in at Dr J.E. Estegarribia for lunch.
A locals only outside eating place was found. Here you were given a plate and could fill it with roast chicken and beef done in a variety of ways, all this with salads.
My plate could hold no more by the time my table was reached.
A couple of guys selling pirated Cd’s were hanging about. They said they get no tourists here.
To date only one group of local cyclists have been seen on this trip.
Most riders are in the Andes or on the west coast. This was expected.
It will be quite an occasion to see another cyclist.
From here the road was still incredibly busy, just so many trucks.
A large bottle of coke was had in Caaguazú before moving on.
It was now after 1600. Tiredness was setting in.
Coming to an intersection at 1800, a couple of icecreams were enjoyed and the nights water supply sought.
With this I headed up the tarred side road just to get away from the traffic.
It is quite busy with grain trucks also.
The roadsides in most cases are not fenced so camping is no problem, there is lots of space and trees on properties, so asking to camp usually gets an affirmative reply
A few km up here I asked a farmer if i could camp on his property, all was good,
I settled in for the night, expecting rain tomorrow. It is forecast
Only coffee and tea were needed, lunch was still nourishing me.
It was a very mild night, mild enough for rain maybe.
The farmer and his wife were very old and lived a humble existence. I thought about hteir lives and all the wars they must have seen and even fought in here in Paraguay.
Once again the people here in South America move me with their layed back attitude and hospitality.
I set the tent up in the dark
30/4/2014 Sth east of Coronel Oviedo to Caacupé
D101, T9, Av18.47, max56, 27,690 2,149
Torrential rain and thunder storms
Minor flooding
Hospedaje Peregrino
Well the forecast and the farmer were right, the thunder started at about 0200, then the isolated spots, then the rain proper.
I had got a few things prepared last night in the event of this occurrence.
I am getting quite good at packing up inside the tent and when all is sorted, most things are dry.
I wandered over and thanked the family, their son was there, telling me he had just planted tomatoes and pepino yesterday, so he was happy with the rain.
I headed off about 0830 without any breakfast and had no dinner last night.
Sure enough, breakfast was needed half an hour later.
A shelter was found and the normal fare was had. Another guy pulled in to avoid the heavy rain.
Across the road I used the loo.
Feeling well fed and moving on, this rain was now torrential and laced with thunder and lightning.
My breakfast was soon burnt up in the conditions, two delightful hamburgers were enjoyed at a road stall some 40km on.
I had leant my bike on a small post, anyway the prop gave way, it fell over and nearly took out the whole stall.
I was most apologetic, the woman cared less than me. We joked about putting it against a small tree.
This rain was now causing problems with minor flooding. Parts of the shoulder were under 70-100 mm of running water.
Riding was a full time act of concentration. I was wet through but remained warm as long as I kept moving.
This was going to really test the panniers waterproof capabilities.
Going down hills, I had to move out on to the road, many of the side judder bars were complete.
This was a bit hazardous given the low visibility.
Water was literally everywhere, trucks coming towards me would send a further drenching my way.
It was all pretty full on, adrenalin was pumping, it was quite dangerous. At one time there was the most brightest of lightening above, thunder moments later shook the place.
All the while, a full commitment was needed, every piece of road was different, judder bars, surface water, shredded tryes, cars pulling out to pass, the sound of trucks, water in my face, dirt on the side and above all this traffic noise coupled thunder. It was quite a buzz.
Importantly my body, feet and hands were warm.
It was one of those days when I knew this is where I wanted to be, it was exciting. There was a destination, a challenge and purpose.
After all it is only water.
At Eusebio Ayala, with 85km for the day, I pulled in wet as a shag and asked at the gas station if there was a hospedaje here, the answer was no.
A panadería was found and a couple of empanadas and a chicken roll devoured.
The rest left me quite cold. I had to get moving, my hands and feet were numb. It was a further 18 km to Caacupé. I had no choice but to get there.
Leaving the bike in high gears climbing, I soon warmed up and got back into the rhythm. The rain never stopped.
Further back there were houses under water and some small bridges were close to going under. Animals were walking round in metre deep flood waters in the paddocks.
Minor flooding was reported in the news for southern Paraquay.
My thoughts went back to yesterday, I was so pleased to have put in that big one. The sooner I get off this busy road the better.
Though, I will say the traffic is really respectful. The only tooting was to let me know of their presence.
There was always a lip coming from the shoulder back onto the road proper, on a couple of occasions the tyres slipped along this for short periods, due to crossing it at such an acute angle.
The front tyre could be helped across, it was the rear wheel slipping.
Then it would bite, it was great to feel the Mondial aggressive tread biting into the asphalt lip and safely getting up me onto the road.
An accident like this doesn’t bare thinking about.
Once in town, wasted best sums up my disposition. Asking about hostals, most people directed me to expensive places.
As always, just away from the plaza there are always good value digs.
The Hospedaje, Peregrino, was found at 14 de Mayo and Boquerón
The people were great. I spent time with them and they feed me.
The room had reverse cycle air, so things are drying right now.
My tent is still soaked, that’s ok it can be dried in Asunción tomorrow.
My panniers are not waterproof at the bottoms, it appears to be where the plastic fittings are attached. Luckily knowing this, the front one with my computer was lined with a plastic bag.
I am going to do this for all four now. Riding through surface water at speed, forces it into these fittings and on into the bag.
It is not alot, just enough to be a pain.
It was unbelievably nice to have had hot shower after a challenging and rewarding day here in this small landlocked country.
More rain is forecast for tomorrow. It ia also a public holiday
1/5/2014 Caacupé to Asunción
D, 58T3, Av16.84, max68, 27,748 2,207
Fine and clear
Warm showers host
The forecast had been for more overcast conditions, pocking my head out the door blue sky welcomed me to the day.
I was keen to get to Asunción, it marked the end of another sector in the trip north.
I was also looking forward to being a Warmshowers guest of a peace Corp volunteer in Asunción.
The trip was mostly through urbanized areas on the way to town.
Older style commuter buses and i were continually catching each other as they stopped to pick up or drop off passengers and my ability to weave thtrough traffic stopped at traffic lights.
There was sand and debris about, indicating they too had had a lot of rain.
Twenty km into the trip, 3 hamburgers and a coke were enjoyed whilst chatting with the lady in the shop near Ypacarai. The burgers were little buns with beef and lettuce inserted, very healthy and good energy.
The woman told me many animals around hte town had drown and been washed away in the swollen streams. Many of which were still racing along under the road bridges.
One area people were seen wading around in water outside their house.
It is not the water that is the real issue, it is the mud that it carries which settles as the water recedes and the effluent.
Riding in the crystal clear day was a pleasure.
I enjoy darting among the traffic, in most cases bicycles in cities have it all over cars when it come to getting somewhere.
Though all this traffic, especially the old buses were giving me a full on fix of diesel fumes.
Similar to leaving Cuidad del Este, but nowhere as bad as entering Quito.
I stopped at a street market and bought pears, telling the lovely old lady they were the best I’d had for over a year.
They were so sweet. From AR.
Arriving in Asunción was like getting into a large country town. Mayhem of a city was expected.
It was leafy and not overly busy.
Though inadvertently and not planned it was a perfect day to arrive here. It was El dia de los Trabajadores, or labour day.
The owners at the Preregrino, had said don’t ride around in the afternoon as there will be many drunk drivers about.
Good advice. My host Lydia had arranged to meet me at a corner near her house.
My arrival was at about 1400, we caught up and headed to her house.
She was a peace Corp volunteer who had spent nearly 3 years here in PY, she had just moved into the city for her last few months to help coordinate things.
She is keen to cycle back to her home in Washington state.
She was flat out asking me questions about my gear among other things.
That evening we wandered round to a friends house for dinner and a few beers.
Next door there were a bunch of people celebrating the day. We had to buy beer next door. These people were incredibly friendly and somewhat drunk, so needless to say we spent some time talking with them on the street.
In Asunción, a dental checkup and some filling cavities were needing to be repaired.
Lydia gave me the name of the peace corp dentist.
She did the repair work, it was quite expensive, tough she seemed very professional and capable.
My need to have a Rabies vaccine was also attended to at the Obrero Hospital here in town.
Once there, the amount of people waiting to be seen was huge, a hundred or more.
Luckily there was a little area for vaccinations, myself and a couple of young mothers were the only ones waiting. My initial injection was over and done within 10 minutes.
I need my second one in 8 days and the third in 28 days.
Hoping that timing will suit, the next one should be in Concepción. The third, who knows where, though the nurse told me I will get protection with just two shots, three is off course better.
This is a free service here. The first shot in NZ was going to be $200.
I found myself a reasonable room at the Hotel Korean in town, on Herrera near Brazil, quite good value and very central.
I will need to be here till Tuesday as my last dental appointment is late Monday.
The city is full of imported second hand Japanese cars, lots of which are Mercedes.
Like most cities here the footpaths are an obstacle course, they really add to the shopping experience.
The rain the other day was quite an event with much infrastructure damage to bridges and roads, it was all over the news.
It sure made for an interesting days riding.
The climate here is very humid with 27 to 31 degree days, the guys were saying it can get to 40° here with humidity.
The few days here have been very enjoyable, Lydia was fantastic company and fun, we spent a night out together with some of her Peace Corp friends. Every country I have been in and met Peace Corp people from the US, they have been such delightful company.
Then on Sunday we caught up for lunch, she and her friend Mike were with the parents of a volunteer that sadly passed away here from an allergy that caused breathing difficulties.
They are here visiting the village he was volunteering in.
My heart goes out to them. Stuff like this is not meant to happen.
The giving of a few years of their life to help the less informed and fortunate in some of these South American, is something I admire greatly.
Lydia has a website that is very interesting, I wished her all the best in making her dream to ride back home a reality.
I know she will do it. I told her that right now, I am living a dream, and it is pretty damn good. This I told her.
Her website is: pedalandplow.com
My teeth are now in perfect working order and a second battery for my Samsung was bought, rather than going for the solar recharge option.
Asunción is quite difficult to find your way around, it is on a grid pattern, but within the CBD, the grid is in blocks, one area north and south, then the next NW and SE.
It is always good language practise asking people the direction.
There is no subway, but a great network of old buses that stop anywhere to pick people up.
Often sitting in the front seats to talk to the driver about where to disembark, the engine noise of the old diesels hammering away was deafening. It is a wonder the drivers could even hear being exposed to this noise all day.
Asunción is a nice size city, not to big, it has a good music scene with little bars everywhere. Eateries from comedores to flash restaurants are also in abundance.
I will leave here with fond memories.
Buddhist temple Foz do Iguacu
 legit entry into Paraguay with a 90 day visa
 Foz do Iguacu, Brazil definitely had a different feel about it. A fresh vibrant feel.
 ¡Mario, cocinero extraordinario!
 stalls on the way into Asunción, items made from local timbers
 It was a wet and cold day if one stopped for too long
 Adolfo and Angela from the Peregrino in Caacapú.
Such great hosts
 With Lydia outside Palacio Lopez, Asunción
 From what I have seen, a very small country full of very proud people. Paraguay.
 Promenade Rio Paraguay
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 Moto taxi riders waiting for their next frantic ride, they were a hazard on the road.
 Rio Paraná, the border of Brazil and Paraguay, below the Itaipu dam
 A nice change after so many traditional places of belief
 Ag chemicals are a big part of rural life here. The soya crop goes to feed Chinese animals.
"many things can pass through your farm. Without doubt, not rust."
 Ingredients for Tereré, a herbal drink.
 Paddock full of remnant Cocos palms
 The aftermarth
 Baby pineapples grown here in Paraguay
 We couldn't help ourselves.
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A really interesting record of visitors from various countries at the dam.