Trindade, Brazil

Natural Swimming Pool

After our time in Paraty, Russell and I decided to head to the paradise of Trindade. The New Zealand/Brazilian couple decided to take up our invitation and came along with us, although they made a day trip out of it while we stayed the night.

The bus ride to Trindade was 45 minutes of pure excitement - not the excitement you feel from anticipation, but more like the excitement you feel on a roller coaster, that fly by the seat of your pants kind of excitement. Bus drivers here go as fast as they can without tipping the bus, and the road to Trindade is one lane, with sudden ups and downs, and sharp turns. The driver was constantly talking to the money taker - with a sign above them that specifically stated, "DO NOT TALK TO THE DRIVER." Although the ride was wild the scenery was incredibly beautiful throughout.

See photos of my trip to Trindade on Flickr

Arriving in Trindade, Russell and I got a room at a beachfront pousada (only R$50!), dropped our stuff, and got to hiking the jungle/beach trail to the natural pool. The beaches we passed (Cepilho, Ranchos, Meio, and Cachadaço) were some of the most dazzling in Brazil. There was a great surf beach, enormous boulders, mountain and jungle fringed white sand beaches, and our trail that wound through dense jungle, only to be rewarded at the end of our hike by arriving at the amazingly beautiful natural swimming pool.

We spent a few hours at the natural pool exploring, swimming, and sun bathing. When the clouds began to move in a we felt a few sprinkles on our heads we decided not to take our chance hiking back through the jungle (with rain the already muddy path would have been rough, especially in sandals) and instead paid R$30 for the 4 of us to take a quick boat ride back to the main beach, where all sat down to sip some fresh juice... mmm suco de manga (mango juice). After our juice break we walked the really great couple to the bus stop and said goodbye as we each continued on our separate journeys. Meeting other travelers is great like that - you can hook up and travel together for as long as it suits you then go you separate ways when the time comes and everybody stays happy and grateful for the moment.

Jungle trail off Praia Trindade

Russ and I went back to the pousada to shower off then went to grab a bite to eat. We found a place that served a prato feito com peixe for R$35 - rice, beans, salad, french fries, and two fish fillets. Plus we each got a caipirinha (Brazil's national cocktail) made with local cachaça - really delicious. I am actually thinking about bringing home some cachaça just so I can make caipirinhas at home for my family.

After dinner Russ and I decided to take a walk along Praia Trindade - the long beach that the town sits on. A beach dog decided he wanted to walk with us and followed along the whole way, even climbing rocks with us! Along the way I spotted a jungle path that was so dense it was more like a cave. Russ and I explored that for a bit before returning to the beach to continue our walk, along with the beach dog, who only left us to check up on the very few other people walking the beach... he was like the beach welcome/safety dog. I think that is his purpose, to make sure all of us are all right. I have to admit that one of my favorite parts of traveling is all of the really chill street dogs that I meet. Every one of them is good tempered and some of them even play fetch!

The beach dog followed us everywhere.

Praia Trindade is littered with giant boulders everywhere, that are sometimes covered by the ocean water - it is actually amazing the amounts of water that come in and out with the tidal shifts in this area! I am happy that we were there at a low point so we had a huge beach to explore.

When nighttime was beginning to settle in we made our way back into town where I bought some jewelry made of Golden Grass. After our little shopping excursion we headed back to our pousada and relaxed beachfront before heading in for a night of restful sleep.

The next morning I woke up to a terribly infected foot wound so Russ and I decided to head back home so I could recover away from the sand and jungle.

What a great mini-vacation!

Paraty Schooner Boat Tour

Snorkeling at Praia Vermelha

After our first day in Paraty at the Cachoeira Tobogã natural water slide, we decided a nice, relaxing schooner tour was necessary for our second day. All schooner tours in town are R$25 for a five hour trip, stopping at two beaches and two islands. This is the basic tour - there are others that go to farther away areas around Paraty, but they cost more. For us, five hours blissing out on the water was just fine. Most tours include some kind of food - usually fruit. Ours had a bar on board and lunch was served for an added fee. The New Zealand couple also went on this tour, but they were very clever because they brought their own food on board and saved themselves some money (Russell and I shared a massive plate of fresh fried fish) and they swam in the blue lagoon while everyone else was eating - New Zealanders, they are the best travelers!

On the day of the tour the weather was perfect! A thin layer of clouds in the sky so it wasn't sweltering hot - just a perfect warm temperature. The water was clear and warm. I rented a snorkel mask for R$10 and Russell brought his own swim goggles.

See photos of my Paraty schooner tour on Flickr.

The ride out to our first stop was incredible. There are so many waterfront houses that are only reachable by boat and we passed Brazil's third most expensive island at $15 million - it used to be where the Portuguese would hold water and other supplies for sea journeys, so it already has a lot of infrastructure like wells, paved paths, and docks. Imagine owning a beautiful island like that! I am content sitting on a boat cruising by - because really how many people even have that opportunity... my life is blessed!

Underwater meditation at Praia Vermelha

Our first stop was Praia Vermelha - a nice beach for walking, swimming, and snorkeling. Russ and I spent our time jumping off the side of the boat a few times (Russ went off the second level deck while I only jumped from the main level). We also put my waterproof camera to good use. Unfortunately when I let Russell use my camera, which is waterproof to 10 feet, he got excited chasing a fish and dove down over 15 feet in pursuit of that perfect photo - and bam! Camera broken. I was able to take a few photos with it after it broke - the screen didn't work but it was still taking photos every now and again - but by the end of the trip my camera was totally RIP. Luckily the memory card didn't die and the photos that we were able to take survived. I brought my older camera with me (thanks to my mom for that great camera, which has lasted me years and years including 3 trips to Brazil and a trip to Mexico). My waterproof camera was really great while it lasted and I will get another one since it is so good for traveling, but next time I will either get one that goes deeper or I just won't let Russ use it!

Fish at the natural aquarium

After Praia Vermelha we went to something the the captain (oh, and the captain played guitar, sang, and gave info on all the surroundings - really talented guy!) called the Natural Aquarium. And I can see why - hundreds of fish everywhere! There were already a bunch of fish around, but then they threw in some food and I'm telling you there were more fish than water! Too bad my camera couldn't go in the water! Oh well at least I got one shot from above! I too the opportunity to snorkel with all the fish danging around me. It was really a great time.

The Blue Lagoon

Next we headed to the Blue Lagoon. It is not actually a lagoon, but the waters are very calm and extremely vivid blue - imagine the clearest blue sky you have ever seen, enhance it by 10, and add a dash of turquoise... that is the blue lagoon. Here is where we are lunch. New Zealand, as we called him before learning his name, which I won't publish here since I never asked permission, went for a swim and snorkel while everyone else ate. Russell was inspired by New Zealand, though, and said that like New Zealand, he wanted to swim at every stop, and so he did. I waited for my food to digest and by the time I was ready to dive in the captain blew the whistle signaling our departure.. oh well.

Next was another beach, whose name escapes me. This was my least favorite stop, the beach was nice enough but there was some trash on the beach and the water wasn't as clear. Russell and I took a walk on the beach then I spent the rest of the time swimming around like a fish. The water was just too perfect. After that it was time to head back.