Beach week in Jeri and some Carnival fun at Fortal

I had a day to relax (not be in transit!) in Fortelaza, got laundry done, walked to the ocean front, and bought some food to make my own dinner for the first time in a very long time which cost four times as much as if I’d just gone to another pay by weight buffet restaurant! But at least I had some salad and fruit and a break from rice, beans and meat.

Following morning early minibus transfer picked myself and two Aussie guys up for a seven hour transfer to Jericocoaba beach. I’d met serval people who’d told me to go here, it’s a national park with a beach flanked by sand dunes and blue lakes of rainwater. After five hours in a minibus we swapped into a converted 4×4 pickup up truck for a bumpy ride through the sand dunes to get to Jeri. It really is in the middle of nowhere, but it being Friday and school holidays we were far from the only ones there. A resort town of four main streets with no paved roads, just sand. We had time for a swim before the sunset, nearly everyone then climbs the sand dune adjacent to the beach to watch the sunset, before running or boarding down the front. We just watched the first day from a bar…it’s very chilled place! We were joined by a few American girls from our the hostel in Fortelaza, one of whom was I could tell immediately just a little bit too much for the guys. Myself and the guys made plans for fish dinner and we joined by this girl. The fish was stunning, huge snapper grilled in the street followed by the best octopus I’ve ever eaten. The guys then ran away leaving me with my new friend who then stuck to me like glue all week. Continue reading

Eating in Buenos Aires, Hunting in the Pantanal, Brazil

Landed early doors Buenos Aires, and checked into hostel at 5am, but no bed till later so a few hours extra kip on a sofa before Simone the Aussie chick from my Peru tour who was all ready there woke me up. We headed straight out to explore San Telmo, or rather me show her around bit. I was last in Buenos Aires September and October, and the temperature early July was significantly colder, I was happy to have my fake ugg style boots with me. It was really relaxing being back somewhere I knew and and not needing to check a map every two seconds. We had lunch at one of my favourite Parilla (Steak restaurants), Don Julio. Since Argentina I really hadn’t had much steak at all, and it didn’t disappoint. Then for some great ice-cream Persico, my favourite chain. Again tasted great, but didn’t hold quite the same sat at a table chattering in the cold as when I left in balmy spring. Continue reading