Boat Trip

Hey everyone!

So last night Daryl took us on a walking tour and we learned some history of Paraty. It was first colonised in 1550 and was founded in 1667. Paraty was the word for fish the local indigenous people used. 

They had the biggest gold rush in history at the time here in 1696 which meant just about half of Portugal came here seeking good. This caused a food shortage though because all the slaves were moved from agriculture to the mines! The slaves were either indigenous people from here or from Angola. 

In 1870 the train line from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro was built which partly wiped Paraty off the map, as did the abolition of slavery in 1889 which saw its 30,000 population turn into a 500 population!

In the 1970s the government saw Paraty's potential. They ripped up the cobblestones the Portuguese had perfectly laid and then put in a sewage system and electricity, replacing the cobblestones in the terrible way they are today! We also got to try drinks in a local shop. We tried cachaça, distiller sugarcane which is the base for caipirinhas. 

After the walking tour we went out for dinner. Maria, Molly and I shared a local dish called Moqueca, a fish stew with coconut milk, tomatoes, prawns and heaps more. It was absolutely delicious! We were so full though that we all joked we had food babies. So full!!!

Today we got up at 9am, a proper night of sleep was much needed! We got picked up at 10.30 and went on our all day booze cruise. We took over the top level and spent the day dancing to beachy music, drinking caipirinhas and swimming. Every now and then the boat would stop for a while and we would get out and swim. I jumped off the top level of the boat into the deep water like all the others which was heaps of fun! It was a really relaxing and great day. And the best part? Applied sunscreen three times and didn't get burnt. Did get an unintended tanline though which is weird considering I avoided the sun as much as possible! W had yummy fish for lunch and I had a 'small world' moment when I asked some Aussies where they were from, one said she was from Wagga Wagga and when I told her Courtney's name it turns out they used to work together! Weird!

Now Maria and I are just chilling in the room and are going out to get Açai bowls soon!

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox