All to get to Jericoacoara. Took almost 2 days! I'm glad I had Alejandro to keep me company and split the costs.
(1) Boat from Barreirinhas downriver to wherever (lunch spot) the 4X4 was supposed to pick us up. Joined a tour for this part, so it included some sightseeing.More dunes:
Unlike the ones at Lencois, the sand here is darker and water less clear. Sooooooo hot to climb these dunes.This time, I definitely enjoyed the sand itself more than the water. Isn't it like the desert?!
And a stopover at some tiny, local village with the lighthouse being the major attraction. Because of the heat, however, I refused to climb for the supposedly great views of the jungle-like environment. A bit regretful….but at that time, I was very happy and content just standing at the bottom of the lighthouse where there was shade and a nice breeze.
They had a lot of dried fish here. I guess that's their major source of income. Aside from the minor tourism. The one shack serving cold drinks and some snacks was packed with tourists. I recall a little boy peeing all over the floor…The highlight of this tour, in my books, is this:
The delta - where the fresh water from the river meets the ocean seawater. I never imagined it to be like this. You can actually see the darkness of the river in contrast with the ocean. Total awesomeness!!! (Or I could've just been ignorant and dumb for the past 30 years and never realized that this is what happens when river meets ocean.)
I think there's a special term for this place…not delta or estuary…something else. Someone, please educate me.
Then, we finally reached our lunch spot. Where I devoured a freshly grilled fish (haven't had seafood in ages!) with some typical Brazilian sides, and sought refreshment in a coconut. Mmmmmmm : )
Of course, the jeep driver wasn't there to pick us up on time. Probably on Brazil time - in other words, should be here in about an hour.
~~~ Warning: Lots of transport detail below. May not be too interesting ~~~
(2) Jeep to Parnaiba. Had to be a jeep since there are no roads for the first hour or so. Going through sand dunes, along the deserted (and sadly polluted) beaches, and into more grass and puddles.
Then normal asphalt. Smooth for the rest of the ride, except for the slight car trouble that eventually halted our progress for about 30 minutes at the mechanics.
By the time we arrived in Parnaiba, it was already dark. We were taken to a rather dingy, moldy guesthouse which we both didn't like. It would only be for the night, but the place was too depressing!!! So, we went a bit more upscale and chose a large, business-like hotel in the city. I think it was only like $5 more than the first one, but came with AC and a full bath.
Had a quick bite at the hotel restaurant (not much selection due to the time), did some internet (even free wifi!) and went to bed.
(3) Taxi to Parnaiba bus station. Very early in the morning. Because only the earliest bus would allow as to catch our connections along the way.
(4) Bus to Camocin. Normal bus. Nothing special. Once at Camocin, we didn't really know where we could catch the next ride. There were little buggies parked at the bus terminal, waiting to take tourists to Jericoacoara directly. For a fortune, though!
Luckily, we met some Brazilian girls on the bus also headed towards there and knew what they were doing. Following their directions, we took a walk to the central market in Camocin, from where we'd be able to pick up a van to Jerico.
Since the van wasn't leaving for another hour, we decided to try out some breakfast snacks at the market. Notably some sort of meat soup (light and yummy!) and something that resembled a fried dough. Don't remember what was in it though. Both were only 1BRL each. Cheap!
(5) Van to Jerico. No, Jerico is not Jericoacoara. Need to keep going.
(6) Jeep to Jericoacoara. A quick ride through sand dunes along the beach.
Finally arrived.
I think there's a special term for this place…not delta or estuary…something else. Someone, please educate me.
Then, we finally reached our lunch spot. Where I devoured a freshly grilled fish (haven't had seafood in ages!) with some typical Brazilian sides, and sought refreshment in a coconut. Mmmmmmm : )
Of course, the jeep driver wasn't there to pick us up on time. Probably on Brazil time - in other words, should be here in about an hour.
~~~ Warning: Lots of transport detail below. May not be too interesting ~~~
(2) Jeep to Parnaiba. Had to be a jeep since there are no roads for the first hour or so. Going through sand dunes, along the deserted (and sadly polluted) beaches, and into more grass and puddles.
Then normal asphalt. Smooth for the rest of the ride, except for the slight car trouble that eventually halted our progress for about 30 minutes at the mechanics.By the time we arrived in Parnaiba, it was already dark. We were taken to a rather dingy, moldy guesthouse which we both didn't like. It would only be for the night, but the place was too depressing!!! So, we went a bit more upscale and chose a large, business-like hotel in the city. I think it was only like $5 more than the first one, but came with AC and a full bath.
Had a quick bite at the hotel restaurant (not much selection due to the time), did some internet (even free wifi!) and went to bed.
(3) Taxi to Parnaiba bus station. Very early in the morning. Because only the earliest bus would allow as to catch our connections along the way.
(4) Bus to Camocin. Normal bus. Nothing special. Once at Camocin, we didn't really know where we could catch the next ride. There were little buggies parked at the bus terminal, waiting to take tourists to Jericoacoara directly. For a fortune, though!
Luckily, we met some Brazilian girls on the bus also headed towards there and knew what they were doing. Following their directions, we took a walk to the central market in Camocin, from where we'd be able to pick up a van to Jerico.
Since the van wasn't leaving for another hour, we decided to try out some breakfast snacks at the market. Notably some sort of meat soup (light and yummy!) and something that resembled a fried dough. Don't remember what was in it though. Both were only 1BRL each. Cheap!
(5) Van to Jerico. No, Jerico is not Jericoacoara. Need to keep going.
(6) Jeep to Jericoacoara. A quick ride through sand dunes along the beach.
Finally arrived.
Waru is hungry.
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