Day 91 - Paraty, Brazil

After last nights storm we woke up to an overcast day with the sun trying to break through the clouds. Based on the recommendation from our pousada owner we decided to head to Trindade beach which is a little fishermans village with four beaches from paradise. 

The bus from town takes about an hour and we are very grateful of a seat as it was packed. We arrive at the beach and hire a couple of deck chairs. It is such a lovely atmosphere. As it's Saturday it is full of families and there are loads of restaurants and bars along one end of the beach most of which have live music which adds to the atmosphere. 

This has actually been our first day on a beach or by a pool since Bali in December (I know - the heart bleeds!) and it is so nice to kick back and just do nothing. 

Time for a dip. The water is gorgeous. Lovely temperature. 

With the salt water my hair suddenly turns even curlier than ever. Definite Jew curls there (and I can hear all the comments about the grey now!) 

Later on the waves started to get pretty big and were crashing high onto the beach. After a few close calls of getting our stuff soaked I decided to do what all good English men should do. Build a moat around your castle. 

Examining whether it is deep and wide enough. Looks good. 

Jumping the moat as didn't have time to build a draw bridge. 

The finished article. Proud of hard days work. ;-) 

And then.... Moat success. It defended our territory admirably. The weird looks from everyone around turn to jealously and the guy next to us starts to make his own!

Panorama of the beach. 

By about 3pm it starts to rain again so we decide to head for a drink. I get royally mocked for my pronunciation of the number two which is 'dois' in Portugese. I'll get there eventually!

Water now hitting the restaurant seated areas. 

By the time we head back most of the beach is getting covered by the waves as the tide comes in. 

Now, everyone has heard about Brazillian beach babes and I have been very much looking forward to seeing them in their dental floss swimwear. However, our first beach experience doesn't support the stereotype. The whole day we did not are one hot body. Virtually all the women were on the plump side and what's more, they are not afraid to show it. They still don dental floss bikinis but it doesn't quite live up the the stero type. Nat, with her swimsuit on thinks everyone must think she had had a stomach operation or something. 

These couple of beauties were hilarious. I couldn't quite catch it on this (and didn't want to try again as he looked scary) but he has a tattoo of his wife on his right arm. If I had a wife with a face like hers I'd at least do everyone the courtesy of having it on my arse or somewhere less visible. 

That evening we walk into town in the pouring rain which has stopped being fun now and is starting to get annoying. 

In my storm commentary excitement yesterday I forgot to say what a stunning place Paraty is. The old town is post card beautiful but has very tricky cobbled streets which are like a death trap to walk on. 

Nat adding an umbrella to her rain protecting arsenal. 

Lovely little church in the centre of town. 

It had a real Mykonos feel to the place what with all the white buildings and crazy pavement. One of the nicest towns we have been to so far and also jam packed with gorgeous restaurants, bars and shops. 

We eat at Casa Coupe that evening and I have a very disappointing steak burger. Hate poor ordering! The restaurant was really nice though. 

An example of the roads throughout the town. They are so bad cars can't even go down them. Everyone has to walk around the town with their heads down to concentrate on tier next step. 

On the way home we break up the journey by stoping a a great place called Cabote which is actually a microbrewery too. After a nice wheat beer we head home in the rain of course. It is testament to how nice Paraty is the rain hasn't really affected our perception of it. Another one for the 'wish we could stay longer' list but time to go to a similar place further along the coast tomorrow - Ilha Grande.