A Week to Explore Beleza Brasil!

This past week has been one great adventure after another!  Because of Easter, all of our classes were cancelled and we had the entire week free to do as we pleased.  On Saturday I visited Vila Velha with several of the other girls.  The rock formations were awe inspiring and I found it an incredible feeling to be so small and stand next to something naturally so large and impressive.  Rock completely shaped by the wind and rain.  It was fun to attempt to see the shapes the rocks had come to form over the ages, a coke bottle, a dolphin, a camel, and Indian head among others. 

On Sunday we left for Ilha do Mel, or Honey Island.  It was about a three hour bus ride to Pontal do Sul followed by a 30 minute ferry ride to the Encantadas side of the Island.  The ride was a bit choppy, but after the long bus ride feeling the fresh sea air on my face was a welcome change.  Upon arriving on the island we stopped to get lunch.  The prices were rather steep but I was not about to complain because the view was priceless.  After eating we proceeded on to our hostel, Pousada Tia Tina, run by a young couple I found absolutely charming.  In fact, as I told my companions the entire trip “I want to grow up to be like them” – of course they were probably only 3-5 years older than me, but they seemed to have life all figured out.

The beaches on Isla do Mel were absolutely gorgeous and because we were traveling during the off season, we had them mostly to ourselves.  It truly was an indescribable place with each direction you turned offering a different feast for the eyes.  To one side would be the gorgeous ocean with clear blue skies, to the other side would be the caves with wide gaping entrances beckoning you to come explore, and behind would be deep green rolling hills reminiscent of the picturesque Scottish hillside.  The entire island was covered with twisting greenery and a flower the deepest shade of red one can imagine.  The only road was a dirt packed trail meandering its way through the island and meant only for walking, not a single car could be seen on the island.  Ilha do Mel truly was beautiful and offered an incredibly tranquil atmosphere to spend a few days recharging from the hustle and bustle of city life.

We took the ferry and then another bus back to Curitiba, arriving back to our hotel at about 5pm.  Our next bus was to leave for Foz do Iguazu at 10pm that night.  This bus ride would be a 10 hour overnight trip and I was not looking forward to it one bit.  However, it went smoothly and we arrived in the late morning.  The owner of our hostel was wonderful and drove to the bus station to pick us up.  After a quick tour of the most amazing hostel I have ever stayed in she sent us on our way to the falls.  The park itself was immaculate and the falls indescribable.  It is impossible to find adequate words to truly portray the inherent beauty and majestic nature of these waterfalls.  The cataratas, or waterfalls, go on for as far as the eye can see and the immense power of each fall is truly breathtaking.   My words and the pictures I have taken simply cannot do this amazing creation of nature any justice.  We only stayed at Iguazu for one night so we made the most of our day there.  We spent the next morning at a bird park which was fun and quite interesting to be able to get so close to see the birds, I even had a parrot on my shoulder!

All in all it was a wonderful week and I was grateful for the time to actually get to see some other areas of Brazil.  Each time we were in a different location we would pass a school and it would remind me of the overriding purpose of this study abroad trip – still a little time for rest and relaxation was certainly much needed and deserved.