Caico

So after a fun weekend Jake had to go on a work trip up to Caico in Rio Grande de Norte. Originally we were all going to go up together and then spend the weekend there, but it didn't work out because the kids had a sports week at school that they didn't want to miss. When Jake got back we finally went on a date here. We went to a fancy restaurant just around the block.

After Jake got back we decided to go to Caico as a family over a holiday weekend. We stayed at the military hotel there and they made our stay really special, with a treat basket of Caico made snacks and folded towel on each of our beds. The kids loved it. Also, we were excited to find that Caico was much different than the tropical environment we were used to. It was a desert and had very different landscape.

The first day we were there we explored the town and ran into the Corpus Cristi Mass. It was beautiful and the whole town showed up. We stayed for a bit, but our kids got really hungry so we snuck out early and went to dinner at a pizza place.

The next day we drove over to the Acari area and we went for a hike. We wanted to see if we could hike Serra do Minador on our own, but when we went to the trailhead there was no sign and there seemed to be a fence, so we decided to ask at a nearby hotel. When we asked the grounds worker, he told us that he could take us in a half hour, so he was our guide for the hike (he did the whole hike with us). And the view at the top was amazing.

After we ate lunch in Acari at a small, homestyle self service restaurant in Acari. Yum! We also took some time to explore the town, with it's colorful houses and churches. Then we headed out in search of a dinosaur water park Jake's co-worker had told us about. After miles of road and then about 10 miles of dirt road (with a detour even) we thought we were lost, but then sure enough at the end of the dirt road was a town with paved roads, Parelhas. And we found the water park, which was unfortunately closed on Friday. But the owner was super generous and let us take pictures with the dinosaurs even though the park was closed.

On the way home we caught sight of a nearby castle (once again out in the middle of nowhere) that was still being constructed. And some cool birds: a black vulture and crestedd caracara.

On Saturday we took it easy and shopped at a craft fair and then played at the hotel pool and playground. The kids really loved the water slide.

In the afternoon we drove up to a mountain view which had been recommended and it was a loooong dirt road as well. We were a little nervous because our car wasn't 4x4, but we made it up after at least 10 miles of dirt road to discover a little town on top of the mountain, Triunfo Portaguar. We found the viewpoint just past the town and we enjoyed the views, rocks, and swing before we headed back slowly down the very bumpy, steep dirt road.

On Sunday we went to church at the local ward and we had a lot of fun meeting with such friendly people and learning from them. Then we drove home to Joao Pessoa and I just wanted to highlight these huge tree like cactus that are all around Campina Grande.

And of course we have had other adventures on the homefront. Grant made cinnamon rolls for his class

Jane and I have been having lots of fun in the mornings reading, going to the park, and playing tea party.

We also had fun doing troll hair in the shower.

And of course we make it to the beach as often as we can, even on the cloudy days sometimes.

And check out these massive bees we have in Brazil!