Trancoso

As Terry Wogan might say, 'the old blog's been a bit neglected of late, like the rhubarb patch at the bottom of the garden.' Well, it has, we've just been on the go a lot, and as we write, we're in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro!

Lettuce back track a bit and go through the last 2 weeks, which has been the best time so far on this jolly for us, we've been to some amazing places, met some amazing people and been made to feel as welcome as anywhere we've been. First, Trancoso.

We've already described what could possibly be one of the best pousadas in Brazil, Quarto Crescente, but it is special. The atmosphere, the homely feel, the pool and its surround, other little touches around the gardens and guest rooms, but most of all staff who couldn't do enough for you, especially Joanna, the daughter of the owners who also made the breakfast cakes which were amazing. We went for a wander around the Quadrado, the newer bit of Trancoso which had beautiful wee shops scattered amongst bars and restaurants which ran down both sides towards the wee church which overlooks the bay. The colours and lighting made for summit special, and at the end, behind the church, a full moon lit up the sea below. Didn't have the effing camera though, did we, arse. Up the other end of Trancoso is the old town and there we hung out in the main square most nights whilst Luis got his trampoline fix and played with other kids. We'd then head back, passing a small cafe run by a guy called Luis and his family, and there we found the best Acai in Trancoso, result!

Marcela and her friend Fernanda had taken our recommendation and joined us at the pousada for a few days, and it was great hanging out with them, especially the day we spent at Praia da Espehlo, a cracking beach down the coast. Luis was beginning his love affair with 'las chicas'! We also managed a day at Praia da Cocqueiros which was also cool, so across the board, tans were coming on nicely.

We hit our first cash flow problem in Trancoso, ATMs not playing ball and me being a bit dim on one occasion, but we survived on 6,50 Reais one night, of which 2 went on Luis' trampolining, another 2 on his mum and dad sharing a beer and the last 2,50 on an empanada from Luis' cafe; was a great night! The last night I went back down towards the wee church to see if the moon was full enough to get a decent picture, but it wasn't, and on the way back, I just had to have one more cup of Luis' Acai. Just after I got there, his family and a couple of friends who had joined them got the guitar out and started singing. I felt like joining in, but knew I was better off scoffing the Acai and just listening to the sweet sounds by the roadside.

Joanna made breakfast a bit earlier the next morning as we had to catch an early bus, which was amazing, and she even got a tupperware and stuffed it with some more cakes for our journey, this woman is a saint!!! So, a couple of hours of another bumpy bumpy bus ride later and we arrive at the banks of the river Caraiva, Grazi, here we come!!!