Curitiba, Morretes

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In the morning we woke up early so that we could catch the dawn cog train up to Morretes.

Having arrived at the main station we booked tickets with Serra Verde Express for the 8.15am train (R$53). This was for the 1st class service which included a guide (in Portuguese) and a snack on-board. We also book at ticket for the bus back (as the next train back doesn't leave until 4pm). This is on the Viacao Graciosa and costs R$12.38.

The train leaves and starts to wind it's way through the outskirts of the town past some very unimpressive slums. Time is passed though by listening to Faye's attempts to get her card unblocked - "No, I'm on a train in Brazil".

Soon we are up in the mountains and passing over viaducts and huge drops either side. It is a little misty but we can still see the spectacular scenery and the old stations when this journey was a major trade route.

Three hours later and we arrive in Morretes which is a picturesque town with beautifully coloured buildings a river and many restaurants and gift shops. We also stumble across a snake hanging from a signpost which scares us until we realise it is dead. After whiling a few hours away here and buying some gifts for home we manage to find the bus stop and get on the bus despite the attentions of another stray dog.

When the bus arrives back in town we set off to explore the city. There are many accessory and cheap cloths shops for the girls to get their teeth into whilst I try and take some photos of the town.

After everyone is shopped out we try and find a restaurant in town, there is a lot of German influence in this town and we mean to go to a German bar/restaurant but we end up in the equivalent of a Brazilian greasy spoon.

Once again the portions are massive and cheap although the wine is some of the worse I've tasted.

We are back on a plane tomorrow - here's hoping for easier travels.

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Photos

Train Journey
A map of our journey to Morretes

Train
The train disappearing around the bend

Views 1
Views across the mountain

Views 2
Mist disappearing into the mountain

Rivers
A view from one of the Belgium viaduct.

Mini Dams
Man made in nature

More views
The ground falls away.

Trains
That pass in the day.

Morretes
A map of the town.

Morretes 2
A church in Morretes

Morretes 3
More buildings

Morretes 4
Shot of the bridge over the river.

Green house
Foliage covered frontage.