Yesterday we took a trip into the interior of Brazil with Carolina as our guide. The town of Cachoeira was about 110 km from Salvador. It was interesting, a long journey, and not quite what we expected. Some were looking forward to a waterfall. There was no waterfall. But there was a wonderful place we stopped after a long bumpy bus ride for lunch. It was a wonderful hacienda where we were able to rest and have fish, filets, chicken, and local veggies and fruits. We visited a cigar making operation. The women were rolling the cigars and taste testing them as we watched. They make about 600 cigars a day. However, they were expensive -$50 a cigar and we didn't purchase any. We didn't have anyone to buy any for. Our friend Walt from MYC would have enjoyed one but he has passed away. We thought of Walt however.
On our trip to Cachoeira Matt got quite sick and all of us were very worried about him. He had a sore throat when we left in the morning but no stomach issues. However, on the ride up he became very ill and could not stop vomiting. We think it was some bad water that he injested while swimming in Itaparica. So he struggled through the trip there and then the women from the hacienda took him under their wing and gave him room to rest in and a local tea remedy for stomach problems. Matt felt quite at peace after seeing the proprietor who reminded him of his grandmother and seemed like an angel to him. After that he improved but we were thinking he would have to go to hospital for fluids. Joe from Brown Eyed Girl kept an eye on him as did Jutta from Chessie. They are both MDs and gave us good information and medical help. We appreciated the help from Carolina, the bus driver, the hacienda, and everyone else on the tour. After Matt rejoined the tour he looked oh so much better. That tea did the trick and we all made it back safely with no hospital visits. Today he is still sore and weak but is much better. When one is not used to the local water you must be very careful where you swim and what water you injest. This has been an ongoing issue for many of the members of the fleet along the way. Getting the right meds before you go on this trip is very important.
So now we have our passports back and are thinking of when we take off from Salvador. We may visit Morro de S. Paulo before going north to Recife. It is 30 miles south of here but is supposed to be very beautiful with no cars allowed and wonderful beaches to visit. I think after we get all our provisioning done tomorrow we will be ready to go. I think the swimming will be better and cleaner water to snorkel too.
So as we sit on the boat tonight and rest we are thankful that all is well and that we are blessed to have such angels and helpful people surrounding us. What an adventure this trip has been and we just never know what will happen next.
Rosemary, Bill and Matt