BRAZIL - Morretes Day Trip

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A Google Earth screen capture showing the relationship of Morretes (top left) to Matinhos (bottom centre-right), about 60 km. The coordinates for Google Earth are at 25 28.66S 48 49.951W. (I love my new toy! A rather attractive and well maintained church in Morretes. The inside, as well as the exterior, of the Brazilian churches are much more subdued than those we've seen in many of the European countries. Standing on a bridge in front of the church looking toward the historic part of Morretes and the Rio Nhundiaquara (easy for you to say!). Looking in the opposite direction on the Rio Nhundiaquara. Remember, the 'h' is silent and the 'n' is pronouced as a part of the 'd' and the 'd' in conjunction with the 'i' kind of sounds like a 'j' sound and the 'r' is pronounced like an 'h' when it is at the beginning of a word! Got that? You're now on your way to learning Brazilian Portuguese albeit there are a few more rules to learn. There are some really neat birds here. this guy is extremely sleek looking with his split tail feathers. First saw these things on the trucks and buses in Curitiba. I couldn't figure out if they were for lubrication or what. Finally saw this bus parked in Morretes and it turns out to be tire pressure monitering and adjusting. Fitted to each tire on the vehicle including the 18 wheelers pulling trailers. Good idea when the temps start to get up around 30C+. A papaya tree. A spindly little thing with all that fruit Souvenir shoppers. Did you put in an order? I've only partially figured out the necessities here: 'chopp'gets you draught beer, 'cachaça' gets you something like the equal to whiskey, 'caipirinha' gets you cachaça with lime and sugar and when it's time to eat bbq'd meat you go to a churrascaria. Part of the tourist area. It was quite lively as we were there on a Sunday (domingo). These little booths sold all kind of things as you'll see. Snacks, jams, jellies, etc. Rough dollar conversion 1.50 reais is approx. Can$0.90. And cute little toys. Didn't get a price on these characters but they sure look like something no home should be without. I'm proud to say our home will be without! A small park in the centre of things complete with a gazebo. Don't you just love the trees, wait'll you see the next one. How many different plants do you think are growing up that one trunk and what kind of tree was it originally? ... and it is real. It was just kinda hanging there minding its own business. Hungry and thirsty individuals awaiting to be called in for their table. You could order your beer while you're waiting. The artiste signing his painting for a satisfied customer. Well? What can you say. I was really tempted to bring them home, I'm sure we could have found a place amongst the masks in the living room. I never did find out if he was: 1) street entertainment, 2) selling the instruments, 3) selling his CDs or 4) all of the above. A view backward toward the bridge over the Rio ... (Can you remember it?). This is farther out of Morretes at a swimming hole. Remember I said it was a Sunday, well this is where all the young folk go on a sunny domingo. The music was HORRENDOUS!! Like the speakers were cranked up well past maximum. We didn't stay long. And this is why they were there! Well, except for this poor optimistic soul. Yep, he was fishing right in the middle (sort of) the swimmers. More power to him. You can just see him in the first picture of this series. I think I mentioned somewhere earlier that it looks like anything could grow anywhere down here. These are power lines so I presume a dirty little bird must have p--ped here and left a seed in the process. This site isn't uncommon.