Paraty

We left Sao Sebastiao and took a bus along the coast to Paratay. Paratay is considered a historic colonial town along the coast. The downtown is made up of old buildings with colorfully painted doors and shutters. The streets of the old section of town are lined with round cobble stones that are almost awkward to walk on. The streets are closed to motor-vehicles, and horse-drawn buggies make there way through town, delivering people and goods to different spots.

On our first night in Paraty we found a small french bistro and enjoyed a crepe dinner which was a welcome change from the deep fried meats and cheeses that usually characterize a traditional brazilian meal.

On our first full day in Paratay, we decided to rent bicycles and try to visit some of the waterfalls (cachoeira) that were shown on a map of the area. The paved road eventally made way to a dirt road and then a path. The views along the road were of small mountains, some of which were cleared for pasture. At one point, we stopped and watched a cowboy herd some cattle up the side of a hill, yelling eih eih eih at them! After making our way up the side of a mountain along a series of switchbacks, we understood why we had only seen one other person on a bicycle; everyone else was being escorted around in 4x4 tour jeeps. It was raining and we were covered in mud-hilarious!

On our last night in Paratay we headed into the downtown and were surprised to discover that a a music festival (jazz, soul, r&b, etc.) was just getting underway.

Enjoyed some cervejas and caprihanas(brazils unofficial drink - crushed fresh lime, ice, sugar and cachaça- liquor from sugar cane) before retiring to our humble pousada.

Paratay was good to us but we must move along on en route to Rio.