Just let it slide

After our relaxing, lazy all day boat tour the day before, we felt that we needed to do something which required a little more effort. So, instead of taking the waterfall tour jeep ride with our fellow hostel friends we decided to rent bikes and make our own way up to them.

One disastrous shop stop later where we were very close to being ripped off (charge for a MAP? pump your own tire? ABORT), we were picked up by our friendly Spanish/Portugese very well (english) spoken friend Matteo and his son.

A few minutes later we were off on our adventure. A few short minutes after this I got my first reminder that I am not the most physically fit (biking with Raiza memories came up)... fast forward ten minutes later and I was the one on the side of the road panting crying out feebly "agua....AGUA" to James. After a grueling twenty minutes (or what felt like 60) of pushing my bike up a steep incline, we were at the waterfalls. I was left with little more than the sweat soaked clothes on my back and my cheap saracastic humour (dignity was lost long before, somewhere near the bottom). Oh, and low and behold, what should we find RIGHT in front of the entrance to the falls? A BUS STOP! Now, I could lie and say that "the adventure made the sights more spectacular" or "it made me appreciate it more" or even "I needed the exercise" (which I clearly did...the lungs definitely gave out before the legs). But lets be honest, the falls were pretty damn amazing without the struggle.... I think the lonely planet could have maybe mentioned that your options don't fall between a jeep ride or a death bike ride (by the way, I really hesitated when typing 'ride').

Anyways, the real site were the falls. I say we saw two, but really they were about 10 metres apart so maybe I will say fall part A and B. Part A was spectacular considering our state. Well I should clarify, MY state; James was fine... clearly a little better in shape than me. Oh, have to mention that he was instrumental in me making it up that mountain (not hill). Amongst the laughs and jabs he did help motivate me... even offered to push my bike the rest of the way, which clearly made me more determined to make it on my own. Anyways, dripping with sweat, red in the cheeks we jumped into the icy cold water. Ah... satisfaction.

Waterfall part B or Tobogan is a natural slide made out of the rock. While we slid down on our bums there were a few locals who gave us a great show. Taking running starts and sliding on their feet, they would do skips and feet moves, even jumping over other sliders as they sat on the edge, all before jumping swiftly into the pool of water.

The ride down the hill was, obviously, great. Laughed like an idiot the whole way down.

Although the weather was overcast today we were told that the weather over at Pao Trinidade (a beach) would be beautiful. Well, it was rainy and misty but still a great time. We made the trip with a few friends we made at the hostel and entertained ourselves despite the rain, playing games and taking silly photos (some more than others). Our fellow hostel friend, Grizelle (not sure of spelling but that is how it is pronounced) from Argentina was dubbed 'Photo'. 1000 photos later (no exaggeration needed) she was maybe half way down the beach. All photos of herself, which meant we were asked, individually, to take her photo. The best being one where she stumbled from the forest with a freshly plucked plant which she placed on her head and smiled. Not entirely sure what she was trying for there...

6 hour bus ride at 8:30am tomorrow morning to Sao Paulo. Fun.