The Pantanal, Brazil - Sao Paulo stop over and Parque Ibirapuera

Many months ago we hatched a plan to visit Brazil, and in particular, the Pantanal, with our good friends from the US, Chuck and Iris. Iris is originally from Rio, Brazil, so we couldn't have asked for better travelling companions.  

We flew overnight from Heathrow (11.5 hrs) to Sao Paulo. Chuck and Iris arrived a couple of hours later on a flight from New York. Iris had kindly sorted out accommodation for the night in a city centre hotel.  

After a power nap we headed to a city centre park called Parque Ibirapuera. It very much had the vibe of Central Park NYC or a central London park. We got the trip list off to a good start adding 30 birds: White Faced Whistling Duck, Brazilian Teal, Pied Billed Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Picazuro Pigeon, Eared Dove, Squirrel Cuckoo, Southern Lapwing, Neotropic Cormorant, Cocoi Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Striated Heron, Black Crowned Night Heron, Black Vulture, Turquoise-fronted Parrot, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Rufous Hornero, Masked Water Tyrant, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Blue and White Swallow, House Wren, Pale Breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Red-crested Cardinal, Sayaca Tanager.

Later that evening we headed out for a traditional Brazilian meal in a lovely restaurant, with Iris' friend, Elaine, who lives in Sao Paulo and who also very kindly dropped us to the airport the following morning.