So after cycling and taboganning down waterfalls, we finally had a chilled out day off everything...although I would like to say this was more forced than out of choice. A huge tropical storm descended over Paraty and called off our day at the beach (admittedly I think Sheryl and Lucille were secretly pleased...as they already have interesting shades of sunburn from our first days´excursion to Ipanema). The girls returned to the hostel and I, and my stubborn British-ness persevered and in my endless attempts to get a tan...by refusing to leave the beach despite getting rained on repeatedly and running for cover in the trees, shielding my book and my bikini-clad body beneath my sarong. Eventually, after doing this 4 times I reluctantly realised that the odds were not in my favour and went back to join the girls.
The next day, though, I had the pleasure of a lovely day kayaking with Sheryl, Lucille and 4 other people, along with Mattieu (our guide) for a fantastic 8 hours! It was very tiring (considering I haven´t kayaked for about 12 years and then it was only on an adventure holiday with school!) but brilliant. Something I think I will definately do again and again (although not for a while as I am still struggling to lift my arms above my head!) We went to three different little islands and through a mangrove swamp - looking at the little crabs running up trees. It was excellent - pure magic! And resulted in us all adding to the zebra tanning look - brilliant!
We were all a little sad to leave Paraty, and headed to Ilha Grande. There is not much to do here, except walk and trek through forests to beaches...but well worth it! The first day we trekked 10 - 12 kms...although I am not sure exactly how much. It took about three hours in the blistering heat, climbing steep mountains in flip flops (moral of the story - when a Brazilian says its fine to do something in flip flops....don´t trust them!) we arrived at a beach which rivaled Alex Garland´s infamous Thailand version. White sand which was so fine it squeaked under foot, clear blue crashing waves and palm trees brushing the rocks. It was stunning, and well worth the trek.
And tomorrow we leave here, and head (unsuprisingly) back to Paraty, before travelling north to Sao Paulo. We feel we have unfinished waterfalls trips in Paraty, and are at a lose end for a few days...and again I leave you with the promise of uploading pictures, when I am back in Paraty anyway! :)
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
The Road from Rio
First of all, after a number of emails and comments on Facebook about my lack of blog activity...here it is! My first post! And if this is not how it is supposed to be then my apologies as I have never done this before and a massive thank you to anyone who is going to have the patience to read this :)
So far, I am loving Brazil. We flew into Rio on Thursday night, and hot, sweaty and humid arrived at our hostel...to find we were staying in something which resembled a prison (12 beds, triple bunks and tiny) but I very quickly grew to love it (although I must say the triple room I am in now is heaven!)
In Rio, we covered every possible touristy thing in the shortest time I think! The first day we went to find the Girl from Ipanema, failed but definately got a lot of sun lounging on the beach. I had an altercation with a huge wave and lost my sunglasses, but really a fabulous day - washing away all the February cold. After a while we went to the Botanic Gardens where we saw marmosets - which if course made my day (if not week!) The second day was Christ the Reedemer, which saw amazing views of the city; the favelas, the rainforest, everything. Then we caught a tram up to a little village on a hill called Santa Teresa. The tram was crazy - people hanging over the sides as we went over a one track bridge called the Arcos de Lapa. It was amazing and very quite and chilled out. Then on our last day we climbed the first half of Sugar Loaf Mountain, and caught the cable car to the second bit. It was hard work - but again paid off with glimpses of marmosets and snakes. It was a hard 30 minute climb, but so worth the effort.
Leaving Rio, I was so pleased to get out of the city. Its hot and humid and after powering through every possible high altitude sight, it was great to climb on a bus to go to Paraty, 4 hours round the coast from Rio. Winding through coastal roads, and being rewarded with incredible views of islands dotted off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state.
Paraty is a small seaside town, very hippy and beautiful with pretty buildings and giant cobble stones. The hostel has hammocks which help when gazing at the stars (or massive tropical thunderstorms - like last nights).
Paraty is like a dream place for me. Its next to the seaside, but a difficult (yet fairly short) cycle ride away are waterfalls and mountains. Yesterday we cycled the 5 or so miles, all uphill in the blistering heat, to Tabogan - a waterfall where you climb to the top, ask a local to kindly give you a shove, and slide all the way down to the bottom and land into a pool at the bottom. The locals surf down it barefoot stood up...I was a massive chicken and just slid on my bum...but a natural waterslide was the perfect solution to sweating our way up the hill to get to it.
I am going to attempt to upload some photos later on today...but it all depends on if there is a storm. In which case you will have to picture me lying in a hammock, drinking beer and watching the rain.
So far, I am loving Brazil. We flew into Rio on Thursday night, and hot, sweaty and humid arrived at our hostel...to find we were staying in something which resembled a prison (12 beds, triple bunks and tiny) but I very quickly grew to love it (although I must say the triple room I am in now is heaven!)
In Rio, we covered every possible touristy thing in the shortest time I think! The first day we went to find the Girl from Ipanema, failed but definately got a lot of sun lounging on the beach. I had an altercation with a huge wave and lost my sunglasses, but really a fabulous day - washing away all the February cold. After a while we went to the Botanic Gardens where we saw marmosets - which if course made my day (if not week!) The second day was Christ the Reedemer, which saw amazing views of the city; the favelas, the rainforest, everything. Then we caught a tram up to a little village on a hill called Santa Teresa. The tram was crazy - people hanging over the sides as we went over a one track bridge called the Arcos de Lapa. It was amazing and very quite and chilled out. Then on our last day we climbed the first half of Sugar Loaf Mountain, and caught the cable car to the second bit. It was hard work - but again paid off with glimpses of marmosets and snakes. It was a hard 30 minute climb, but so worth the effort.
Leaving Rio, I was so pleased to get out of the city. Its hot and humid and after powering through every possible high altitude sight, it was great to climb on a bus to go to Paraty, 4 hours round the coast from Rio. Winding through coastal roads, and being rewarded with incredible views of islands dotted off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state.
Paraty is a small seaside town, very hippy and beautiful with pretty buildings and giant cobble stones. The hostel has hammocks which help when gazing at the stars (or massive tropical thunderstorms - like last nights).
Paraty is like a dream place for me. Its next to the seaside, but a difficult (yet fairly short) cycle ride away are waterfalls and mountains. Yesterday we cycled the 5 or so miles, all uphill in the blistering heat, to Tabogan - a waterfall where you climb to the top, ask a local to kindly give you a shove, and slide all the way down to the bottom and land into a pool at the bottom. The locals surf down it barefoot stood up...I was a massive chicken and just slid on my bum...but a natural waterslide was the perfect solution to sweating our way up the hill to get to it.
I am going to attempt to upload some photos later on today...but it all depends on if there is a storm. In which case you will have to picture me lying in a hammock, drinking beer and watching the rain.
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