Wednesday, April 25, 2007
19 April, 07
We woke up to a lovely sunny day and the animals were grazing outside. We left for a boat trip along the river and you would be amazed how strong the current is. The water is very brown and does not look appetizing at all, even though one can swim in it. We went through some mangroves and it was very short and sweet. Everyone had lunch (except for me- of course) and we went in a bigger van with a few new recruits on our afternoon tour. We had to take a ferry across the River to the capital city of the island called Soure. We first went to Praia do Pesqueiro (a beach) where the water is a mixture of salt and fresh water, with amazing seeds that are washed down from the Amazonian forests. The beach was deserted since it was quiet season and in fact ‘winter’. Not that one could feel that because we are only about half a degree away from the equator. We then drove to see the many fazendas (ranches) that are spread across the island. The island is gorgeous with fields of animals all grazing together. We passed some buffalo swimming in a swamp and then we saw the Guaras (Scarlet Ibis) - unbelievable colors. We then stopped at a local Veterinarian who owns a fazenda and breeds buffalo too who has opened her doors to tourists. An amazing lady but she could only speak Portuguese. We got a chance to ride on the buffalo and pat them. We spent some time there and then we went to see how the original ceramics were made at the time of the Indians. An original descendant (chap) was demonstrating to us how it was made using animal teeth for patterns and shining, rocks for the colors and a very ancient machine. It was very sad since it is a dying art and he is the only one left practicing this technique. The Portuguese and Europeans basically ‘wiped out’ the Indian culture and ways of life (practices). Our last stop was at a shop in the village that sold arts and crafts and all the leather goods. We were all tired and hungry and we arrived back at about 7pm. We all met for dinner again and tonight there was live entertainment. It was really a great show with Brazilian dancing taking one on a journey through the country and its many different states. We all had a few dances too.
We woke up to a lovely sunny day and the animals were grazing outside. We left for a boat trip along the river and you would be amazed how strong the current is. The water is very brown and does not look appetizing at all, even though one can swim in it. We went through some mangroves and it was very short and sweet. Everyone had lunch (except for me- of course) and we went in a bigger van with a few new recruits on our afternoon tour. We had to take a ferry across the River to the capital city of the island called Soure. We first went to Praia do Pesqueiro (a beach) where the water is a mixture of salt and fresh water, with amazing seeds that are washed down from the Amazonian forests. The beach was deserted since it was quiet season and in fact ‘winter’. Not that one could feel that because we are only about half a degree away from the equator. We then drove to see the many fazendas (ranches) that are spread across the island. The island is gorgeous with fields of animals all grazing together. We passed some buffalo swimming in a swamp and then we saw the Guaras (Scarlet Ibis) - unbelievable colors. We then stopped at a local Veterinarian who owns a fazenda and breeds buffalo too who has opened her doors to tourists. An amazing lady but she could only speak Portuguese. We got a chance to ride on the buffalo and pat them. We spent some time there and then we went to see how the original ceramics were made at the time of the Indians. An original descendant (chap) was demonstrating to us how it was made using animal teeth for patterns and shining, rocks for the colors and a very ancient machine. It was very sad since it is a dying art and he is the only one left practicing this technique. The Portuguese and Europeans basically ‘wiped out’ the Indian culture and ways of life (practices). Our last stop was at a shop in the village that sold arts and crafts and all the leather goods. We were all tired and hungry and we arrived back at about 7pm. We all met for dinner again and tonight there was live entertainment. It was really a great show with Brazilian dancing taking one on a journey through the country and its many different states. We all had a few dances too.
# posted by Heidi & Richard's travels @ 4:15 PM 
