After leaving Fernando de Noronha we made our way to mainland Brazil and arrived at the mouth of the Paraiba River after a two day sail. Realising that we had finally crossed the Atlantic, as we motored up the river to Jacare Village, just below João Pessoa, was an unbelievable feeling and after being here for over a week it still feels surreal.
After catching up on sleep and ensuring that our boat was going to stay put, Ruf and Kate took a week to do a little road tripping along the coast. Wil and I spent the week on the boat taking it easy and exploring the nearby sites and beaches. During our stay we were fortunate enough to meet another cruising couple, Peter & Louise, who had just spent 7 months in the Amazon River! It was fascinating to hear the stories about their adventures as well as catching up with a fellow South African, Louise and learning about Trinidad, where Peter has lived for the last 30 years after immigrating from the UK. We were spoilt rotten by their hospitality, Louise’s incredible food and endless helpful tips. We hope to meet them again along the way for some more laughter filled evenings. Check out their website to see what they have been up to.
Kate and Rufus arrived ‘home’ on Sunday afternoon after a great trip and are staying on Melody for the next week. Wil and I arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Monday afternoon to meet my parents, who are travelling, as well as seeing family.
Viv
First published on offtheline.co.za
