Brazil’s Dusty Azurre: Day 9 (Scene 2)

After visiting the Pedra Blanca Waterfall, Tarzan’s Pool and the marmosets, we moved on in order to have a taste of hacienda life.  I am referring to a hacienda involved in the cachaca production several years ago (they still make some).

The place is filled with exhibitions.  You can appreciate the following:

-          Remains of old machinery

-          Antiques used during colonial times

-          Rooms furnished as they were 100 years ago

-          Ingredients used in meals

-          Large pots where cachaca was stored

 

 

You can also sample different cachaca types.  They have white, aged and fruit infused varieties.  This being Brazil, it is interesting to see passion fruit flavored cachaca.  They even have some varieties made with local (exotic) fruits whose names I have never heard in my life.

 

They have coffee too.  I am not a coffee connoisseur.  I started to drink java when I got married some years ago (thanks to my husband).  Well, I don’t have the ability to distinguish between good or bad, weak or strong coffee.  For me, all cups of coffee were created equal (it has to be really bad for me to cringe).  But the coffee in this place was different.  It didn’t even taste like it.  The flavor was smooth with a touch of natural sugar (caramel like).  The roast was light.  I could have drunk it black but dark, cane sugar was available to sweeten it.  This addition made the drink more delicious.  My husband asked where they were selling the coffee.  A lady responded their brew wasn’t for sale.  All the people on the room almost fainted.  It was something you had at that moment.  Something you have to go to Brazil to taste.

 

 

 

After the hacienda, it was time to eat.  We went to a restaurant called Villa Verde.  To reach the place, you have to cross a swinging bridge (very similar to the ones Costa Rica is known for).

 

This place is the ideal to eat because you don’t get isolated from nature.  The tables and chairs are in an open air terrace.  The kitchen is open too so you can see the chefs at work.

 

Anyway, who wants to stare at a chef when there are tons of trees and birds surrounding you?  Take a look at some of the technicolor birds I saw while waiting for lunch.

 

 

 

I had to take a bird watching break to enjoy my delicious lunch.

 

After the meal, we had enough time to walk around the restaurant grounds.  Such a beautiful area!!

It was time to go to another waterfall.  We stopped near a town called Penha.  The word Penha means rock.  The town gets its name because of a church built over a huge boulder.  If you are a Christian, I am sure you get the entire concept.

 

After walking a little bit thru the forest we arrived at Cachoeira do Toboga or Slide Waterfall.  It looks like this area if full of enormous boulders.

Water falls over a huge rock creating a big and slippery slide.  We had so much fun in here.  Maybe I should say the guys had too much in here. They slide and slide like little kids.

 

There were signs prohibiting rock surfing.  This is sliding down the rock while standing.  Of course, everywhere I go, it is like guides are exempt of the rules.

The day was finished by visiting a cachaca distillery and a bromeliad exhibition.  I am not sure how all those experiences were packed into a day.  We return to Paraty at night.  I hugged and kissed good bye my guide.  We made dinner plans with the other tour members.

This was one of the greatest days I had in Brazil.  I would never forget it.

What did you do in one of your most memorable travel days? Let me know in the comments section below.

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