Iguazu is behind us but there is a lot to look forward to on our way to Salvador de Bahia!
Our first stop is in the gorgeous region of Bonito. It is best known of it cristal clear rivers full of fish and underground lakes. Plan was to go diving in a cave. Unfortunately, it has been stopped due to unexperienced diver damaging the site. However, I’ve been snorkeling in a natural pool full of fish and down a local river, enjoying the clarity of the water. We’ve also been tubing, just because it’s fun.
Our second stop is in Southern Pantanal where we are staying 2 days. We are camping around an indoor/outdoor wooden building holding a kitchen and hammocks on the first floor. It is our first experience of sleeping in a hammock, which I did both nights although I did put up my tent just in case.
In the afternoon of the first day, We’ve been exploring wildlife along the river and we’ve been piranha fishing.
On the second day, we’ve been horse riding then we went on a walk, coming back at dark.
We drove past a pond with hundreds of caymans around it. it was incredible!
On the road...
After 2 days on the road, we get to Paraty, a colonial town with cobbled streets, white buildings with vivid colored. It is our first stop on the shore. On the firdst afternoon, we have a wander around town. On the next day, we get on board of a cruise boat and go around several beach where we get to swim and snorkel. Unfortunately, the weather turns real bad with heavy rains pouring down. It is a great day never the less where we get to meet great locals!
Our next stop is Rio de Janeiro. I’ll be honest, I’m gonna have to come back as things went kind of wrong. As weather was very poor, our day around the town didn’t quite go as planned. We could hardly see Christ the Redeemer and even if we saw the sugar loaf, we couldn’t see a thing once we got there. Hand gliding got cancelled twice and my visit to the Favelas didn’t happen as there seem to have been a misunderstanding. Good things were that I went to see a football game and I managed to spend an evening with Pia and Didier.
On the Road...
The next few days were a bit tuff as spirit was quite down. Guess I was feeling a bit homesick.
Weather isn’t getting better as we arrive in Ouro Preto. This town was built when gold was found in the area. It quite similar to Paraty, only it is very hilly and the is a lot of churches (more than twenty). They are known for their wooden sculptures (sorry no pictures as it wasn’t allowed). On the morning we go to town, the sky falls on us with rain I’ve rarely experienced in my life! It was kind of funny to be honest as there wasn’t much we could do. After a couple of hours, weather got a bit better as rain stopped (which is always a good start). We could then enjoy this lovely town!
On the Road...
Once again we were heading for the shore and the town of Porto Seguro,
where the Portuguese first landed in Brazil. We are in a campsite next
to the beach which is very lively with small bars and live music. It is a
great place to relax before we get to crazy Salvador. Oh! France is
playing its first 6 Nations game against Italy but I don’t really want
to talk about it....
After a stop inland, we are back on the shore. The campsite is outside town and again just by the beach which is huge and quite. No bar, not a lot of people. I manage to borrow Anthony’s bodyboard and give it a go for a bit. After dinner, we all head down to the beach and enjoy my homemade punch around the fire. Bliss!
Next stop Salvador...
