After 2 days in Rio, we traveled to Buzios. It's a small area with beaches on every side. It was a perfect place for us to relax and refresh. It was the first time in 7 months that Joel and I could spend an entire day together, alone and doing nothing but relaxing.
The paths to the beaches were usually a dirt path with jungle on both sides. Praia deTartaruga (Turtle Beach) was the closest beach to our hotel. Tables, chairs and umbrellas lined the beach with free places to sit... and the hopes you'll sip or nibble on something during your visit. We drank a little agua de coco, maracuya juice, coca-cola and had tons of grilled and fried shrimp.
We spent a whole day of beach touring with our new Brazilian friends (including touring beaches were they are currently filming novelas - or soap operas.) Then we enjoyed dinner together the next night. They introduced us to Brazilian lemonade and their own brand of ginger ale. Joel tried them both, but still drank his coke. Ze' Luis and Kris only spoke Portuguese, but with our spanish and a lot of patience - we were able to communicate pretty well. We actually talked so much, the restaurant kicked us out at 2am.
This beach was beautiful, small and quaint. We kayacked out into the water with Z' Luis and Kris and picked up a few, small shells.
Joel and I soaked up the scenery and the quiet moments. We left Brazil very refreshed and ready to return to the orphanage to continue our work. We missed the kids and were glad to get all the hugs when we returned.
