With a backdrop of steep, jungled mountains plunging into an island-studded bay and surrounded by secluded beaches, Paraty is one of Brazil´s most appealing and exquisitely preserved historical gems .
As lovely Nanna and Bobbie were visiting us (our first visitors, yeah!) in very sunny Rio, we thought why not escape the fun loving, wild city and retreat to a popular holiday destination, where locals and tourists go to experience a much slower pace of life....
Paraty has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1958. Settled by the portuguese in the 16th century, it was developed a century later when the richest gold mines in the world were discovered in the mountains of Minas Gerais and became an important port in the export route to Europe.
Top tip - don't wear heels on these historical cobbled streets.
We didn't waste anytime before hitting a local beach called Trinidade...
Where the surf was a bit intimidating...
But there were plenty of rock pools away from the waves with fish to catch...
....the boys couldn´t resist a quick dip before continuing a trek to a natural pool (although the bombeiros called them out of the water because the riptide was too strong).
Paraty is famous for its bay containing some sixty-five secluded islands and three hundred beaches, the majority of which are only accessible by a mandatory boat-trip....
There were some very happy customers on board ...
The sparkling warm seas were certainly inviting. So much, that we all simply had to take a swim.
There was plenty to see ....
The boat anchored in many coves and golden bays for us to explore.
There was only one way to reach these beautiful beaches.
..nearly there, I think Jamsine might actually have just pipped Bobbie!
Day 3 of our time in Paraty was spent exploring a very small part of the Mata Atlantica jungle, where bubbling rivers and gushing waterfulls can be found.
Brazilian health and safety is not quite up to National Trust standard, as this Indiana Jones style bridge illustrates (the waterfall is appropriately named Poço do Tarzan) ...
... the question is, does anyone dare cross?
Jill´s bravery is rewarded.
But was the bridge designed to take the strain of the Webbers?
This peaceful environment of the mountain rivers, cutting through the steep lush rainforest is a perfect place to feel at one with nature and totally unwind....
Absolute bliss...
Jasmine and Rory were content chilling on the boulders, counting the butterflies and soaking up the sun.
A short, but treacherous walk down, we found Cachoeira do Tobogã (literally tobaggan waterfall), where the locals find their adrenaline fix by bare foot surfing \ skiing down the rapids. You have to see it to believe it....or check it out on YouTube.
Just enough time for a last swim at the Bambubamboo poussada, before the drive home ...
Many moments of tranquility to savour once we are back in the hub-bub of the city xxxx
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