We originally planned to go to Rio De Janiero, but because of a severe outbreak of the West Nile virus we had to stop at Paraty. We weren’t disappointed. Paraty has over 60 islands and over 300 beaches. It was founded in 1667, and acted as a port and trading route for the Portuguese bring back gold to Portugal. The downtown probably looks quite similar to the way it did in the 1700's. The cobblestone streets have never been changed and make it almost impossible to drive over 5 miles per hour; even walking can be risky after a hard rain. On these cobblestone streets are little shops, restaurants, hotels, and old churches. The rustic appeals to the structures is alone worth the trip, but add in the man on the street playing forro- the Brazilian version of country music- and some of the best antiques and art in Brazil, and it makes going to Paraty a must on any trip to Brazil.
Once you venture a few blocks out of downtown you will find tour guides screaming at you in broken English to come on their boat for a private tour of up to 10 islands of the
60 Paraty has to offer.
We decide to take one of these tours for about 25 dollars per person. We stop at private islands, similar to how we did at Ilhabella, but the scenery is entirely different in Paraty. There are so many islands of different shapes and landscapes it is almost unbelievable. Some islands look like something out of the Flintstones, with restaurants built on top of circular stones, and huge 10 million dollar mansions barely visible because they hide behind enormous palm trees and jungle like vines.
Some of the islands have names many do not. We find our way to the Blue Lagoon, a cavern of tiny little beaches lying between rocky landscapes. The water so blue the perfectly clear sky looks white compared to it. We rest at a private beach and eat white fish while drinking the freshest Caipirinha's one can find in Brazil. This is because the national Pinga distillery is in downtown Paraty. Pinga, the alcohol made from sugar cane that is the base of the national drink of Brazil. Lime is then crushed and mixed with sugar and mixed in a shaker to finish the drink to perfection. With a
small buzz after only one- I weigh 190 pounds- the rain pours down and I realize that this is the end of my trip to Brazil. In two days, I will fly back to South Dakota, where my mom tells me its 20 degrees with snow. But the trips been great and there is no place I would rather have it end than Paraty.
Brazil's Flag
Map of Brazil