Más Adventuras en Brasil!

The last few weeks in Brasil have been quite the adventure! After the carnival, I spent a very relaxing few days in Morro de Sao Paulo...this istmas two hours by boat from Salvador is a young persons haven as the beaches are filled with the beautiful of brasil and of coarse filled with internationals. As I made the trek to the island by myself for some independence, I ended up running into some of my Isreaeli friends. So as I found myself staying in a pousada right on the beach filled with Isreaelis, I believe I was the only non-Isreaeli in this pousada...it was sure good practice of my long lost Hebrew skills...So, the highlights of Morro included, a nice stroll down all of the beaches, a hike up to the Farro (lighthouse) to see a unbelievable view of the island, dancing on the Monkey beach, and of coarse swimming in the delightfully warm water!

After my a nice turbulent boat ride back from Morro, I spent a nice relaxing week back in Salvador with Maria, I headed off to the Chapada Diamintina. The Chapada is one of Brasil's national parks about 400k away from Salvador in Bahía. So I arrived early on Sunday morning to the Pousada de los Duendes in Lencois..this very international pousada situation right on the mountain side was probably one of the coolest places i have ever stayed. I met a very nice local at the bus station who helped me carry my things to the pousada, and later showed me on a trek to the natural water slides and natural pools situated in the mountains. As I was treking thorugh the mountains, I was amazed with the natural beauty! On my first day in Lencois, I had the most amazing day trekking, swimming and enjoying the complete natural beauty this mountain town offered. Later that night, the pousada was quite teh social environment as it hosted "charasco" bbq..this brasillian bbq was quite amazing as i enjoyed all the delights and native brasillian dishes. Such novelties included a grilled pinaple, fresh caught fresh water bass and other delightful meats. (obviously my vegetarianismas last been long gone) The night concluded by frequenting the local pub that displayed quite the array of Cachasa..the Brasillian novelty used to make Caparinhas! This cachasaria held more than 50 kinds of home made cachasa! qute the delight to enjoy! So after my cachas escarade on Sunday night I had a very nice relaxing day on Monday as I made the hike up to the natural water slide once again.
On Tuseday, the adventure in the Chapada Diamintina really began, as I embarked on a two day hike through the Chapada. As I as in a group with 5 boys (4 of them being German and one being from Belguim)...This hike was quite the adventure! It started by a nice 3 hour uphill grade to over look the city of Lencois. As we made our way down hill, we relaxingly had a wonderful lunch on the river as we swam and relaxed for a little while. Next the trek trangressed through the jungle as we climbed and jumped rocks and scrpped through the jungle! By mid afternoon we made it to the "number 21" waterfall where I thouroughly enjoyed the refreshing water as I stood underneath the waterfall! After a nice refreshing break, the intense business began! This is where we climbed the waterfall. As I had never really climbed before this was quite the challenge! Luckily, the 6 wonderful men helped me each step of the way! When we reached the top I felt so accomplished for my first climb! At theat point it was near sunset and we had reached our base! We set up camp in our cave (a normal sleeping point in tha Chapada) and prepared a delighful dinner! After an interesting night sleep outdorrs and being covered by mosquitos (even though I was convered by repelent) After yet another great outdoors breakfast, The morning trek was filled with more climbing and jumping and scaling rocks until we finally exited the jumgle. Finally we reached the largest waterfall in Brasil! It was such a breath of fresh air enjoying teh beauty looking over the waterfalls and the whole valley. After that we made our way down to the river bank and were refreshed by the cool river and a delightful lunch. The last leg off the hike was very flat as we hiked through the valley and enjoyed our last views before making it down to the town before heading back to Lencois! THis was one of the most enjoyable two days of my time in brasil and most challenging!

The following day I made my way out of Lencois to Porto Seguro...this was quite the adventure of a travel! I first took a 5 hour bus from Lencois to Feira de Santana..then i waited 3 hours until my bus at 2350...i then had to connect in another city where i convently made the bus within minutes to Porto Seguro...My time in Porto Seguro was pretty anticlimatic as I just walked around the city and then went to bed early asthe next morning I took a flight to Belo Horizonte. In Belo, I was greeted by my friend after a short bus ride from the airport into town. Most appropiately, the morning started by a nice pott of coffee to refresh and some delicous banana pancakes! (I thought it was the least I could do to make an extra special american breakfast!) During the day I explored the the third largest city of Brasil. Belo Horizonte is a very metropolitan city surrounded by beautiful green mountains. The day was spent touring the infamous fútbol stadium, visiting the lago and famous church...then we embarked to the top of the city to see an amazing view against the mountains! It was so nice to relax and drink some rico cocanut water while over looking the beutiful city! As there was rain the next day, our planned hike up the mountain was changed into quiet afternoon inside and yet another traditional meal! By the night I was off yet again to Rio!

Yesterday for my firsd day in Rio I took a nice stroll down the ocean delighting my feet in the white sand and fresh water! The water is not as warm as it is in Bahía pero the beaches here are still quite serene...So that is the latest update on my adventures! With less than a week left in brasil estoy disfutando and aprovechando el más si puedo! Hasta el próximo! Besos..Ilanit