Sadly our room at the Geko Hostel in Paraty lacks air-conditioning, which is a shame because Paraty is hot and humid. Unfortunately (as we are rapidly finding out) the cost of living here in Brazil is much higher than in Argentina and our meager budget is being stretched to the limit (hence no air-con). We also have no option but to walk passed the schooners at the waterfront offering expensive, full-day tours to isolated idyll tropical beaches (of which there are many around Paraty) and continue to the bus station instead. Apparently, the beach to visit is Trindade, which is a 45-minute bus ride away (to the southwest of Paraty). The bus is something straight out of Romancing the Stone as it bumps, growls, and wheezes its way along jungle tracks, up and down steep hills, and through tiny villages. The passenger screams remind me of a Six Flags roller coaster ride.
After all that, Trindade is a sleepy, one street town blessed with stunning tropical beaches. Some of the beaches have the classic palm-frond thatched roof bars, lazy music and equally laid back staff, but beyond them (through the jungle) are truly pristine stretches of white sand that unite the steaming verdant rainforest with the calm, clear aquamarine waters of the Atlantic (which are pleasantly warm). Perhaps because it’s the middle of the week, but the beaches are virtually deserted. Christi is surprisingly excited and can’t wait to dive in. And while she does just that, I explore the full scallop-shaped curve of the bay, looking for suitably idyllic shots.
After we both swim and splash around for a bit, it’s back to the populated beaches for a healthy fruit and veg meal at a waterfront bar. And it is here that Christi discovers the celebrated cocktail caipirinha, a rum and lime juice delicacy that she proclaims de-licious.
Blog post by Roderick Phillips, author of Weary Heart, a gut-wrenching, heart-wrenching, laugh-wrenching story.
Speak Your Mind