And then back to jungle boy, who makes it look spectacular with ease!31-May-2009 16:11, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 10.0, 105.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 800
On Sunday we ventured from the main centre of Paraty to the famous local waterfalls, particularly the cascading Cachoeira do Toboga to do a bit of water sliding! Ironically, that part went exceptionally well, it was when I decided to do a bit of stretching that everything took a turn for the worse!
The view from the bottom looking up.31-May-2009 16:24, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 10.0, 28.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 800
More than three centuries ago, the discovery of vast gold reserves in the interior of Brazil led the Portuguese Crown to establish the ‘Estrada Real’, the Gold Trail, a cobbled trail over the mountains linking the colonial cities to the safe anchorage of Paraty. You need a guide to walk this trail particularly the first stretch near Paraty as otherwise you’re not allowed. We’d planned to give this a go, but first we wanted to try out the famous sliding waterfall, a cascade down large flat rocks, at Cachoeira do Toboga.
Jungle boy does not sleep, he waits.31-May-2009 16:31, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 6.3, 75.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 800
You can take the bus marked Penha from the main bus station at Paraty every hour for R$3, otherwise a taxi will cost you R$30 – it is a fair distance and if there are a few of you the taxi is worth it. You walk up some steps through the forest to find the waterfalls themselves, and luckily for us on our arrival we had our own guide… Jungle boy!
My first step was slipping up in the air and landing on my backside; injury number one!
My first step was slipping up in the air and landing on my backside; injury number one!31-May-2009 15:42, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 6.3, 105.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 800
The slopes themselves are basically where the waterfall cascades over a couple of huge rocks; over time the thin layer of algae on the rocks themselves and the continual slow erosio of the rock surface has made Cachoeira do Toboga an ideal and famous tourist spot. Not sure whether Jungle Boy was a fully employed staff member of the Brazilian tourist board (probably not, but if he was, what an awesome job!), but he had a small wooden box for any donations to his aid. Not bad as he’s probably prevented more than a few dentist appointments over the years!
Wahey! Catching air!31-May-2009 15:48, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 10.0, 53.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 800
Having watched Jungle boy devastate the slopes and make the whole attempt look easy, we decided to give it a go. I carefully stepped across the crest of the waterfall; and promptly slipped, flew in the air comedy style and landed on my backside with a grimace. Not a great start, but thankfully that didn’t incapacitate me in any way and I was ready to continue. Surprisingly the water is not that cold; but rather than try and surf the way down Ben and I voted for the much more viable option of sliding on our backsides and being given a push – it’s a lot less distance to fall!
Here comes Lynette!31-May-2009 16:08, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 9.0, 105.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 800
Lynette & Cindy also then braved the slopes, each adding their own twist with Lynette attempting a rather dangerous “vertical spin” and Cindy for the “a bit tired half way think I’ll have a rest”. After we’d finished getting wet, we took a walk around the area as we’d also heard there was a famous “Tarzan swing” – on finding a sign we thought we were on to a sure thing but 60mins later we gave up. We managed to see some great scenery but definitely no Tarzan swings!
While waiting at the bus stop to head back we were treated to an Eddie the Eagle bike display!
While waiting at the bus stop to head back we were treated to an Eddie the Eagle bike display!31-May-2009 17:44, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 10.0, 35.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 800
We decided to head back to the bus stop and have a think about the next direction to head in. Randomly we appeared to be next to a cafe full of dirt bikes, which were very intent on impressing us with their tricks and if they managed to run us over – well that was going to be an added bonus. You can tell we’re getting old; all that came from our direction was a lot of tutting and “shouldn’t they be wearing helmets?”. The odd slip up here and there only convinced us we were right. Anyway, we had decided to head further on up the road to find another waterfall when disaster struck, I stretch my leg, heard a pop in my knee and then collapsed in agony. Everybody else thought I’d been bitten by a snake but all I knew was that it bl&%dy hurt and I could no longer straighten my leg.
And then came the accident. Simply stretching my leg, I felt a pop in my knee and dropped to the ground in agony. Notice the pained attempt at a smile!
And then came the accident. Simply stretching my leg, I felt a pop in my knee and dropped to the ground in agony. Notice the pained attempt at a smile!31-May-2009 18:20, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 3.5, 28.0mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 800
We decided to abandon the walk to the next waterfall and waited for the next bus, which then dropped us off at the Civil Defence Emergency Ambulance building, who were very helpful (and even eventually gave me a chair when I’d nearly collapsed from the exhaustion of hovering on one knee) and then gave me a lift in their yellow van (ambulance?) to the local hospital. Much to the enjoyment of everybody else tagging along, suddenly the afternoon looked like it was going to get a lot more interesting!
The happy passengers in the ambulance on the way to the hospital! Ben said he wanted adventure…
The happy passengers in the ambulance on the way to the hospital! Ben said he wanted adventure…31-May-2009 18:21, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 3.5, 28.0mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 800
Once we arrived at the local hospital, I was put into a wheelchair that was only a half step removed from a dicky shopping trolley and wheeled into the hallway facing a wall. Not quite that bad, but I felt pretty despondent. However they dealt with me pretty quickly, getting an x-ray and doctor to see me within half an hour. The x-ray room had a massive crack and a bump on entry into the room, the doctor spoke no English. The only person who spoke any English was a nurse who’d learnt it about four years previously; the diagnosis in short was no broken bones, but no real way of telling the actual problem either so they bandaged me up, shot some pain killers in my bum and gave me a prescription for some more.
And that’s me! Stuck on a bed for a few days hop(p)ing that things recover… )
And that’s me! Stuck on a bed for a few days hop(p)ing that things recover… )01-Jun-2009 19:34, Panasonic DMC-FX3, 2.8, 5.8mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
So currently I’m writing this at the hostel, where I’ve spent the last two days trying to give my leg a rest and a chance to heal. I’m not very keen on doing nothing, and this attitude is also driving Lynette mad as she’s very keen for me to get better and to stop hopping around and trying to do things! The happy ending so far is that we’ve booked an appointment for this Thursday at Sao Rafael hospital in Salvador, apparently the best in the area and I’m seeing a knee specialist – they’ve got an MRI scanner onsite so if its needed then I should get the right treatment pretty quickly. I’m still hopeful that everything’s going to improve pretty quickly – ever optimistic – but there’ll probably be a lot less posts over the next few days as we won’t be doing anything interesting for a little while…
Anyway all the best to everybody back home, we both appreciate your comments and messages and hope you’re enjoying what we gather is a decent bout of summer weather back home!
These are the chains that prevent cars entering the historic centre, and marks the beginning of the new town.31-May-2009 14:53, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 14.0, 28.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 800
My first step was slipping up in the air and landing on my backside; injury number one!31-May-2009 15:42, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 6.3, 105.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 800
Now for Cindy, who looks as though she simply can’t wait for the experience…31-May-2009 16:09, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 7.1, 105.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 800
Desperately looking for the Tarzan swing that was supposed to be around here somewhere! Never did find it!31-May-2009 16:44, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 11.0, 28.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 800
They must have been quite relieved when during the first congregation, the boulder dkidn’t just roll down the hill…31-May-2009 17:26, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 14.0, 28.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 800
While waiting at the bus stop to head back we were treated to an Eddie the Eagle bike display!31-May-2009 17:44, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 10.0, 35.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 800
It was an odd sort of bikers display to be fair; always seemed on the virge of causing an immense crash…31-May-2009 17:46, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 9.0, 28.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 800
And then came the accident. Simply stretching my leg, I felt a pop in my knee and dropped to the ground in agony. Notice the pained attempt at a smile!31-May-2009 18:20, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 3.5, 28.0mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 800
The happy passengers in the ambulance on the way to the hospital! Ben said he wanted adventure…31-May-2009 18:21, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 3.5, 28.0mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 800
Ahh, looks like you are just having the best time. Wish i was back there, it is all so fantastic and is bringing back great memories! The photos are great. Stay safe and keep the stories coming. If you decide to stop by Aus let us know, we’d love to look after you for a while.
Hey guys. Those trips look amazing. Especially the island – beautiful. Sad to see Steve you have hurt ur knee. Hope it was nothing to do with the adventure slide!! Hope hospital appoint goes well and they find out what the problem is and it heals up fast so you can sight see some more! Lynette, just wanted to let you know that Ali’s granny passed away there on Sunday. Saw her at funeral but she is doing ok. On a positive note, we are having great weather at home!! Seems like we are somewhere foreign!!
Looks like I’ve got a Medial Meniscal Tear – which bascally means I should be able to walk if I look after my knee properly and don’t need an operation until I get back. Its currently p*ssing it down here in Salvador – might come back to the UK for the weekend! Hope you’re both good and Sally we’d love to take you up on the offer, definitely se you there one day!!
As I’m a complete techno biff (Steve, you know that only too well), it has taken me a while to register,log on and find somwhere to leave a comment. I hope this is the right place! Your photographs are absolutely amazing!! (I especially like jungle boy’s antics!) It’s really great news that you’ll be able to walk on your leg Steve, hopefully it keeps improving and isn’t so painful. Take care both of you, we’re all following you both back here, including the kids
The view from the bottom looking up.
Jungle boy does not sleep, he waits.
My first step was slipping up in the air and landing on my backside; injury number one!
Wahey! Catching air!
Here comes Lynette!
While waiting at the bus stop to head back we were treated to an Eddie the Eagle bike display!
And then came the accident. Simply stretching my leg, I felt a pop in my knee and dropped to the ground in agony. Notice the pained attempt at a smile!
The happy passengers in the ambulance on the way to the hospital! Ben said he wanted adventure…
And that’s me! Stuck on a bed for a few days hop(p)ing that things recover… 
)
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Ahh, looks like you are just having the best time. Wish i was back there, it is all so fantastic and is bringing back great memories! The photos are great. Stay safe and keep the stories coming. If you decide to stop by Aus let us know, we’d love to look after you for a while.
Hey guys. Those trips look amazing. Especially the island – beautiful. Sad to see Steve you have hurt ur knee. Hope it was nothing to do with the adventure slide!! Hope hospital appoint goes well and they find out what the problem is and it heals up fast so you can sight see some more! Lynette, just wanted to let you know that Ali’s granny passed away there on Sunday. Saw her at funeral but she is doing ok. On a positive note, we are having great weather at home!! Seems like we are somewhere foreign!!
Looks like I’ve got a Medial Meniscal Tear – which bascally means I should be able to walk if I look after my knee properly and don’t need an operation until I get back. Its currently p*ssing it down here in Salvador – might come back to the UK for the weekend! Hope you’re both good and Sally we’d love to take you up on the offer, definitely se you there one day!!
As I’m a complete techno biff (Steve, you know that only too well), it has taken me a while to register,log on and find somwhere to leave a comment. I hope this is the right place!
Your photographs are absolutely amazing!! (I especially like jungle boy’s antics!) It’s really great news that you’ll be able to walk on your leg Steve, hopefully it keeps improving and isn’t so painful. Take care both of you, we’re all following you both back here, including the kids 
All our love
Jen, Mark and the girls xxx