Lost in translation in Paraty and taking it easy in Trindade

Next Stop: Paraty/Trindade, Brazil (March 22-24, 2011). We left Ilha Grande and hopped on a one hour boat trip via Catamaran to Angra Dos Reis on the mainland. From there we took a two hour local bus to Paraty and decided to spend the afternoon exploring the town before heading to our accomodation for the night in Trindade, 25 km south of Paraty.



Angra Dos Reis



Saw: Paraty has a beautiful historical centre with colonial type architecture. The streets are cobbled, the buildings are white and the doors and windows are painted in vibrant colours.

 

Where's Jane?

While in Paraty, we walked into a little travel agency to drop our bags for the afternoon. We figured that while we were there we could try and find out how to book the overnight bus to Iguaçu Falls the next day. We asked the woman at the counter “fala ingles?”… “não” she says and then opened Google Translate on the computer. The next 15 minutes consisted of typing out questions and having Google loosely translate Portugese into something that is somewhat understandable. The best line read: "the bus station in sao paulo y’all to tell you how deep to go bar where they exit the bus Kaiowa sao paulo mouth”…..fail. In cases such as these, just revert back to Portugese and hope for the best.

Communicating in a foreign language in the 21st century

Interestingly enough, we also noticed that every street sign in Paraty was emblazoned with the Mastercard symbol. We thought thought to ourselves..."Is this town sponsered by Mastercard?" It seemed an absurd thought...until Erin tried to pay for our long distance bus ticket with her Visa....denied. Probably just a fluke....but makes you wonder nonetheless....

Onwards to Trindade. We really enjoyed our time here, the weather cleared up and we got to enjoy the beautiful beaches. The town of Trindade was small and peaceful and the people were very friendly. The scenery was quite stunning with rolling green peaks leading to beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise water. We went on small hikes to some waterfalls and a natural pool and then soaked up the sun.

 

Stayed: Sea and Forest Hostel in Trindade. I really enjoyed the tranquil feeling at this hostel, they offered yoga classes and the accomodation was set in rustic little cabins, tucked away in the forest. The beds weren't the most comfortable. A good option but maybe a bit overpriced for what you get.

Met: A local in Paraty, black haired and extremely friendly. I didn´t even know he was walking along with us until Erin pointed him out.

Ate: I was so hungry that I forgot to take a picture of the Moqueca we ate in town, a sort of fish and shrimp stew in coconut milk. It was the best meal we had in Brazil thus far. We also had some excellent grilled fish. Trindade is a good place to sample the catch of the day.

Rainy Days on Ilha Grande

Next Stop: Ilha Grande, Brazil (March 20-21, 2011). From Rio it was a two hour bus ride and a one hour boat ride to this lovely vehicle-free island. The town we stayed in, Abraao, was not exceptionally lovely, but it had many nice pousadas (guesthouses) and restaurants. We arrived in a downpour and it rained most of the time we were there, so our hopes of soaking up the sun and lounging on the beach were dashed. Instead we spent a rainy morning relaxing and napping in hammocks at the hostel. In the afternoon, we decided to ¨bite the bullet¨ and head out, rain or no rain.

Saw: We hiked 2 hours to Dois Rios beach, and then 2.5 hours to get back (it had started raining again and the muddy trail was slick on the return). I´m sure the beach would have been much prettier on a sunny day.

That evening, back in town, we got attacked by crabs as we exited a shop. I turned around to find two large crabs standing on guard on their hind claws, waving their front claws in the air at me. I screamed. The shop lady scooped them up in a basket and returned them to the water.

Stayed: Biergarten Hostel. It was a nice little hostel, just opened 3 months ago, so the beds were still comfortable, the towels clean and the building still looking new. The owner, Victor, was very kind, and we really appreciated the eggs at breakfast. The only downfall to this place was the lukewarm showers.

Ate: Calamari and a Brazilian style shrimp stew. It was satisfying but not really exceptional enough to warrant a recommendation.

The Girls from Ipanema

First stop: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (March 17-20, 2011). We arrived in Rio de Janeiro safe and sound and with our luggage! So far, it's been great, despite the language barrier. The bus ride from the airport took over 2 hours...let´s say the traffic in Rio can be a bit hectic.

The Girls from Ipanema

Saw: We spent a lot of time on the beautiful beach in Ipanema. We spent a Saturday lazing on the beach and it was so busy, people were packed like sardines in a tin. The vendors that walk amongst the sunbathers are relentless and peddle anything and everything from bathing suits to drinks to jewelry and shrimp on sticks. The each try to use distinctive chants and tones to try to stand out amongst the other vendors, so it definitely does not make for a tranquil beach experience. Absolutely amazing though. 

I also met Him. The one......the only.....J.C. The trek to get to Christ the Redeemer was a whole day adventure in itself, half hour bus to the base, van cab up to the ticket booth, an hour wait for tickets, an other hour or two wait to get the van cabs to take you to the top and then repeat for the way down (except for the ticket wait). We made the most of it though and had a blast playing trivia and "Would you rather....?" questions.

Our time in Rio was short, but we did manage to sample the nightlife...every night. Our first night out was in Ipanema were we sampled some Brazilian beer in honour of St. Patricks Day. The following night we went out in the Lapa district for a street party. You literally buy a beer and party on the street.

Stayed: The Mango Tree Hostel in Ipanema. It's a block from the beach and is super chilled out, free breakfast, free Internet, and free purified water. A definate winner.

Met: Immediately fell into a great group of people at the hostel, who coincidentally, all happen to be around the same age. We hope to meet up with the Kiwis at the end of our trip in Bolivia.

Ate: Not much to report on this front yet...but this Brazilian hot dog was pretty good. And the bread here is delicious.The breakfast at the hostel in Rio was awesome. I found the Brazilian cuisine to be expensive and unimpressive but I can´t fault their breakfasts.

Quotes: 

"My name is Caeser...like the salad.¨ - Portugese guy introducing himself on the city bus. I don't know about you, but had my name been Caesar, I would probably have chosen to equate myself to..oh, I don't know....the Emperor of Rome.

"Jesus didn´t die...he just lay very still...." - Scott´s impression of what a ressurection means.



Travel Tips

My big South America adventure begins tomorrow, so in preparation, I thought I'd share some of the travel tips that I've learned over the years. Keep in mind that my preferred travel style is backpacking.

• Use the Department of Foreign Affairs' Registration of Canadians Abroad service, so that they can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country (If you're not Canadian, your country should have a service like this)
• Scan your important documents and email them to yourself (eliminates the need for printing and carrying multiple copies).
• Let your bank and credit card companies know that you will be traveling. The last thing you want is to be abroad and have your card denied because of "suspicious" purchases.
• Buy some little things that pack light to give to the kids where you are going, they love it! (Hair barrettes, bouncy balls, stickers, toy rings etc.)
• Carry a roll of toilet paper or small packets of kleenex in your purse or daypack...this one needs no explanation.
• Pack a pillow case so that in the event that you are without a pillow, you can make one by stuffing the case with clothes.
• Pack some garbage bags and ziplock baggies. In the event of a sudden downpour, it may mean the difference between life and death for your electronics.

Falling off the wagon again

I wish I had started this blog years ago, when I first started to travel, because since then I've realized that traveling is not only my passion but also a driving force in my life. I live it and breathe it and if I could marry it I probably would. I'm barely finished one trip before I'm daydreaming about the next. I'm like a junkie, looking for my next fix. My name is Jane and I have a problem. I am addicted to traveling. There. I said it.

I haven't always been adventurous, I was a pretty dependent child, needing reassurance and affirmation from my family and friends. I had no sense of independence when it came to making my own decisions.

So you can imagine my family's surprise when I told them that I was planning on moving to Australia for a year after finishing university. Alone. I'm even surprised at myself thinking back on it now, how that mommy's girl got the courage to pack up and head off alone and into the unknown. And how my trip to Australia turned into Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Tahiti. I am so unbelievably glad that I did it, that I fought through the moments of doubt and fear because that trip helped me to discover that I am a fierce and sassy broad, that I am strong and independent and can take care of myself, that I do in fact like PB&J sandwiches, and that there is no better way to learn about who you really are than to be confronted with all your strengths and all your faults (sometimes all at once). I've been unstoppable ever since. To clarify, I'm not a vagabond, I do lead a pretty normal life. I have a steady job and an apartment, but I jump at every chance I get to see another piece of the world, because, hey, its my drug of choice.

So I'm starting to blog about my travels now, and I'll do my best to give you, my readers, the kind of tips, advice and recommendations that I find so valuable when traveling to new places, and mix it all in with my experiences.  

I'm about to set off on a two-month adventure in South America with my friend Erin, starting in Brazil and ending in Bolivia, with several countries in between and my twenties left behind (I'm turning 30!).

I can't wait.