Paraguay from every angle
Life, culture, landscapes. All that is Paraguay, and my life here
Saints have an important place in Paraguayan culture
Being a very strongly Catholic country the various saints are an important part of Paraguayan culture. These range from national saints right down to saints of the household. All are venerate with equal conviction. On a national level the three principal ones are the...
The starry skies of a Paraguayan night
With clear skies and broad horizons the stars in the Paraguayan night are a sight to be seen. Most nights are cloud free. This means that almost always there are stars to be seen. Added to that the lack of light pollution and the sights are spectacular. The nights are...
Itaipu. Paraguay’s grand hydro electric scheme
The Itaipu dam and hydro electric plant are located in Paraguays eastern border. They span the Rio Parana between Paraguay and Brazil. Plans for a hydro electric power plant to supply electricity to the region were fist drawn up in 1966. It took several years of...
When I travelled on foot to the festival in Caacupe
The largest religious festival in Paraguay is the of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is held in Caacupe where the Virgin of Caacupe is kept. It takes place every year on the 8th December. Everyone in Paraguay who is able travels to Caacupe for the...
Smooth Billed Ani. Common sight and a poor flyer
The Smooth Billed Ani is a common sight all across Paraguay. They are more of a bird of the countryside but are also to be found in towns. Not only in Paraguay are they common. They have a large range that extends from Southern USA all the way down to Northern...
Piribebuy. A town that is both a resort and historic
The small town of Piribebuy is located approximately 80 km from Asuncion. It is in one of the few areas of uplands to be found in generally lowland Paraguay. It is within easy reach of day trippers from the capital and a popular summer destination. The paved road...
A regular service keeps the cheap vehicles running
For getting around in the Paraguayan countryside with all its rough dirt roads two types of vehicles are ideal. One is a good quality 4x4. Solidly built and with good ground clearance. The other is a cheap motorbike. I myself opt for a cheap motorbike as my transport...
Sailing down the Rio Paraguay to Asuncion
Several years ago I took a boat trip down the Rio Paraguay. I traveled from Concepcion in the middle of the country down to Asuncion. A journey of about 300 km. In order to sail from Concepcion I first had to get there. To do that I traveled into Asuncion and then...
Living in the countryside there is always a view
Living as I do in the Paraguayan countryside there is always impressive scenery to be seen. I am fortunate in that a blanket of green extends in every direction. Amongst it few signs of human habitation can be spotted. This makes the air here in Piribebuy clear and...