III. Arriving the Selva Misionera

How we got here

We left the Eco Farm in Chascomús with our backpacks on, ready (or not) to walk the 18km that separate the Farm from the closest village. Luckily, the first car that passed by that dirt road, stopped and gave us a ride. Was epic to ride the truck of that pick-up van!
When we arrived the center, we took a bus to Buenos Aires (2 hours journey) and from there we took another bus to Puerto Iguazú, a small town right at the very top north of Argentina. That was our longest bus journey so far - twenty hours in total!
Puerto Iguazú has a rather tropical climate. The weather here is completely different from anywhere else in Argentina. It's proper rainforest climate, super humid and rainy so we always have to have our rain jackets ready, but hot enough that you can walk around with flip flops.
After a night's rest, we went to meet our host from the Yacutinga Eco Lodge, the second place where we would volunteer in Argentina. The journey to the Lodge would be mostly by paved roads but the last 15 minutes would be on dirt road. Precisely when we were driving this track, due to the wet clayish soil, the pickup van started slipping off the track, towards the bushes on the sides. Diego, a very experienced driver, was completely focused on his tasks but still we ended up clashing softly against the vegetation. Another pickup van quickly arrived to rescue us, and within few minutes we found ourselves safely entering the Eco Lodge's facilities.
We were straight away amazed at this place. Yacutinga is actually a Nature Reserve of 570 hectares and the Eco Lodge focuses on the conscientious conservation of biodiversity through ecological tourism. Their facilities are harmonious with the jungle context and do absolutely no harm to it. People here are in absolute communion with nature. The work Yacutinga does is crucial to the preservation of the natural habitat to many species of fauna and flora, and we are delighted to contribute to it.
There is so much to say you about this wonderful place! Keep your eyes up for next week's diary where we'll tell you all the adventures we've been living at this wonderful Eden.

Love,
Joana and Diogo