Our first night sleeping in Poki for some time now. It’s brilliant, but still, at only! 25 degC, too hot for comfort.
Waking at 5am to see what progress the storm approaching the east coast of Australia is making. My son Steven, lives in Lismore, Northern New South Wales, and only a three years ago the city experienced massive floods. A repeat is anticipated. His property was badly inundated last time and he escaped the flood surge, by seconds.
After that we both fell into a deep sleep till 7.30am.
By 9am, and after breakfast, the temperature is rising fast. Packing up then saying our goodbyes to our lovely hosts, we head for the town of Caacupe only 14k’s away. There is a massive basilica there. On the way we noticed a motorcycle following us. The rider pulled in beside us, when stopping to buy fruit. A most enjoyable and unexpected interchange followed. Fernando said he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw us passing. Of Portuguese parents with a strong Scottish accent he had spent twenty years living in New Zealand. Not only that, but he was on his way to meet Moya for coffee. Moya is the Kiwi nurse, living on the property we had just left!
The wealth of the town, not reflected in the style and magnificence of the edifice.
Deciding not to visit the inside and with little else to see, we headed for the next historic town of Yaguaron. There is an 18th century church there that is listed in Lonely Planet as being, internally, the most ornately decorated in South America.
Yaguaron
About 30 k’s through populated rural countryside and smaller hamlets, is the town of Yaguaron and it’s quite similar to Caacupe. The central focus, the historic church, is vastly different in architecture to that of it’s neighbour.
Unfortunately we will never know how ornate or beautiful, as it was closed and locked up. However, from glimpses through cracks, it appears to be in ruin. The ornate woodwork of window grills and doors sadly not reflecting the earlier glory.
The bell tower…..
Minus the bell, reflecting the decline.
A passer by said the church doors will be opened at 1.30pm. Being 12.50pm we decide to have some lunch at a kiosk opposite, and wait. By 1.45pm there is no sign of movement across the street, then somebody said, it would open at 4pm. That was enough of that, and we decided to head for Aregua another 30k’s away.
Walking up the cordoned off street beside the church, back to Poki are some brass cast figures sitting on seats. Touchingly, there is a middle aged local sitting beside one of them, with his hand on a shoulder. He got up and left as we approached. His father? What a lovely thought.
Aregua
This visit was at the suggestion of Sabrina, our host at last nights camp.
Aregua is known for it’s pottery, and its wares are on display on both sides of the main street.
Jen wanted to stop and buy some plant pots but I’m sure the airline would have something to say about that!..:)
At some time in the past, the railway used to come through this town.
As it was getting close to 3.30pm we wondered if there might be a hotel here, where we could spend the night, before heading into the capital. iOverlander and google maps took us to a run down looking establishment with an unattended speaker blaring out reggae music. The swimming pool water was covered with leaves but we decided to make enquiries anyway, as if it was cheap, we could probably deal with the decay. Jen came back soon enough looking pensive. It’s much more than the previous hotel we stayed at, and does not include breakfast, and it’s a tip!
Asuncion.
The drive into the outer suburbs of Asuncion is not what we had expected. Very congested and uninspiring. Having said that, we did not drive in on the modern highway system, the main route.
It’s after 4pm, our normal cut off time to find accommodation. Searching on Booking.com, Jen finds a hotel on the fringe of downtown. We look it up on Google maps to see if there is parking. We drive by and there is, and it’s sheltered. By making the booking online, are given a room upgrade. Hotel Cecilia is smart enough looking, and the insides do not disappoint. Our room is large and well appointed and of greatest import, air conditioning. It’s been 38degC today.
There is a swimming pool on the roof, but it’s closed till next morning. We find out why, when dining on the 2nd floor, there are explosions and flashes reflected. Looking out the window, and up, there is a fireworks display going of from the 6th floor roof above. Someone is celebrating something..:)
Tomorrow we will check out the city.
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