He found a cab driver named Gladstone who had a vehicle big enough to hold 6 passengers. We were able to hire Gladstone’s services for the full day for 120 reals, which is about $70 US. We ended up using Gladstone as our driver for the rest of the week.
This beach was not crowded and much safer than the city beaches. We ordered large bottles of beer which they brought in insulated containers. As we finished a bottle, we removed it from the insulated container and put it under the table. At the end of the day, the beer bottles were tallied and we paid based upon the bottle count.
Rhonda and Madeline playing in the surf.
Armando arranged for us to take a dune buggy ride. The driver asked Armando – “With emotion or without emotion?” Armando said “With emotion, of course.” I sat up front with the driver. Rhonda, Danny, & Madeline sat perched on the back hanging on to the roll bar.
Goats in the sand dunes.
View from the top of one of the sand dunes.
Donkeys were roaming free and grazing in the dunes.
The driver took us to a little waterfall that we had to cross to get over to a fresh water lagoon. I was concerned about crossing the falls with my camera, so Danny volunteered to hold it. Halfway across the current became very strong and I felt bad about the responsibility I put on Danny. Just then the current swept Rhonda off her feet. As she grabbed for her husband to save her, he backed away and said “Don’t touch me! I have the camera.” Poor Rhonda! She was able to regain her footing and we had a good laugh.
The other side of the falls.
The falls from the top.
On the way back we crossed over the top of the falls. There was no current there and it was an easy, calm crossing. If I had lost my camera – and then learned about this easy crossing ….. then you would seen the real meaning of emotion!
At the start of the trip we came over the top of this huge dune and plunged straight down. It was unexpected (part of the “with emotion” version of the tour), and like a roller coaster. There were screams from the back as they grabbed hold of the roll bar. And Rhonda’s hat went flying.
On our way back to the beach we passed the roller coaster hill and there was Rhonda’s hat. Danny raced up the hill to get it (probably trying to make up for not saving her at the waterfall!!). You can barely see on the left side of the hill, just across from Danny, a blue jacket or sweater. Apparently this is an area where items often go flying.
The falls from the top.
On the way back we crossed over the top of the falls. There was no current there and it was an easy, calm crossing. If I had lost my camera – and then learned about this easy crossing ….. then you would seen the real meaning of emotion!
At the start of the trip we came over the top of this huge dune and plunged straight down. It was unexpected (part of the “with emotion” version of the tour), and like a roller coaster. There were screams from the back as they grabbed hold of the roll bar. And Rhonda’s hat went flying.
On our way back to the beach we passed the roller coaster hill and there was Rhonda’s hat. Danny raced up the hill to get it (probably trying to make up for not saving her at the waterfall!!). You can barely see on the left side of the hill, just across from Danny, a blue jacket or sweater. Apparently this is an area where items often go flying.
Danny redeemed himself!!
This beach had a lot of fishermen, all fishing from these traditional, very old style boats. The mast and boom were made from branches, as was the helm man’s seat. The rudders were carved everything was lashed down with cheap blue nylon twine.
These boats are still built as they were in the old days. The sail is just cotton and they throw dippers of water on it to tighten the fabric to perform better as a sail. The mast is a series of tree trunks lashed together to taper it and also to give it shape and flexibility.
These boats are still built as they were in the old days. The sail is just cotton and they throw dippers of water on it to tighten the fabric to perform better as a sail. The mast is a series of tree trunks lashed together to taper it and also to give it shape and flexibility.
Launching these boats is a major effort. The crews from several boats all work together to get the boats past the waves that are breaking. They roll the boat down to the water on logs, very low tech. They then, run, push, shove, angle and maneuver until they get the boat past the breaking waves. They then anchor the boat out past the breakers and go in to work on the next man’s boat.
These fishermen were going out overnight. See the bend in the mast.
Portuguese Man O’ War.
After leaving the beach Armando took us to a Barbeque restaurant called Gaucho, at the little village of Cumbuco. Look at the size of those ribs!! And they were incredible, juicy and crisp and a great flavor.
Bones picked clean.
Group shot with the owner (middle) and Gladstone (back row, left).
What a wonderful day.
These fishermen were going out overnight. See the bend in the mast.
Portuguese Man O’ War.
After leaving the beach Armando took us to a Barbeque restaurant called Gaucho, at the little village of Cumbuco. Look at the size of those ribs!! And they were incredible, juicy and crisp and a great flavor.
Bones picked clean.
Group shot with the owner (middle) and Gladstone (back row, left).What a wonderful day.
1 comment:
The pictures tell such a great story by themselves! Thanks for sharing. -Pam
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