Tuesday, April 17, 2007
9 April, 2007
The Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Highlands) is located in the very centre of Bahia state. There are rolling hills and hidden valleys and the town is small with cobbled streets. The population in Lencois, which is the biggest town, is only about 4 500 people. There are many hikes and beautiful natural waterfalls in the area and everything is very green. We started our day early with a full guided tour. There were only 4 of us in the car and so it was very comfortable. The other couple was from Belgium and we had a very nice day together. Our guide spoke very good English and he was very nice too. We started the day with a little hike to the most amazing waterfalls and a massive pool for swimming. We spent some time there and then walked back to the car. Our next stop was very beautiful; we climbed up a small mountain and the views from the top were incredible. The whole of the Chiapada Diamanta was below us and our guide told us some stories that are legends whilst we sat in the breeze admiring the view. Then we drove on a dirt road to our lunch spot and there was a clean river that we could swim in. There were so many fish swimming around and a whole row of greedy ducks came passed us- really cute. We visited a cave that was reflecting a blue light – it was very pretty and apparently the reason for this is the sulphur in the water. Our last stop was an amazingly large cave with a high ceiling and it almost felt like a cathedral. There were many stalactite and stalagmite formations and a few crystals too. It was a very silent tour because the guide could only speak Portuguese- this was a problem. Anyway, we walked quite a bit in the cave and then the guide turned the lamp off and it was so silent and eerie. Some would say it was peaceful but I guess that depends on what your thoughts are at the time!? We drove back to Lencois on a really bad road – even by our standards – and fell asleep. As we arrived at the pousada everyone was so friendly and we were offered some tea and biscuits. It is a very special pousada and the people that stay here are special too (like a family). Besides, the fact that the Bahian hospitality is unbelievable. We went for a good Picanha (rump steak) again and we sat on the cobbled streets and made friends with the entire street –almost. It was a fun evening.
The Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Highlands) is located in the very centre of Bahia state. There are rolling hills and hidden valleys and the town is small with cobbled streets. The population in Lencois, which is the biggest town, is only about 4 500 people. There are many hikes and beautiful natural waterfalls in the area and everything is very green. We started our day early with a full guided tour. There were only 4 of us in the car and so it was very comfortable. The other couple was from Belgium and we had a very nice day together. Our guide spoke very good English and he was very nice too. We started the day with a little hike to the most amazing waterfalls and a massive pool for swimming. We spent some time there and then walked back to the car. Our next stop was very beautiful; we climbed up a small mountain and the views from the top were incredible. The whole of the Chiapada Diamanta was below us and our guide told us some stories that are legends whilst we sat in the breeze admiring the view. Then we drove on a dirt road to our lunch spot and there was a clean river that we could swim in. There were so many fish swimming around and a whole row of greedy ducks came passed us- really cute. We visited a cave that was reflecting a blue light – it was very pretty and apparently the reason for this is the sulphur in the water. Our last stop was an amazingly large cave with a high ceiling and it almost felt like a cathedral. There were many stalactite and stalagmite formations and a few crystals too. It was a very silent tour because the guide could only speak Portuguese- this was a problem. Anyway, we walked quite a bit in the cave and then the guide turned the lamp off and it was so silent and eerie. Some would say it was peaceful but I guess that depends on what your thoughts are at the time!? We drove back to Lencois on a really bad road – even by our standards – and fell asleep. As we arrived at the pousada everyone was so friendly and we were offered some tea and biscuits. It is a very special pousada and the people that stay here are special too (like a family). Besides, the fact that the Bahian hospitality is unbelievable. We went for a good Picanha (rump steak) again and we sat on the cobbled streets and made friends with the entire street –almost. It was a fun evening.
# posted by Heidi & Richard's travels @ 3:28 PM 
