Over the River, through the Woods, to the Waterfall We Went!

Sunday we left early for a trekking adventure to a waterfall in the neighboring state of Goias. After filling out a few contract forms (aka 'I accept all the risks of doing this'), all eleven of us loaded up into a fairly comfortable van. For two and a half hours we rode down a highway, then rumbled across dirt roads alongside acres and acres of cattle pastures and a few soybean fields. A few cows had escaped and impeded our path. . . But finally to the trail around 11am!


We soon discovered that we were getting wet much sooner than expected, since we started crossing the same river three different times. But everyone was really 'teamwork' oriented, and we all helped each other across the water. My camera bag fell in once, but I had plastic bags, so no harm done (fortunately!!).









Around noon we had our first glimpse of the falls through the trees, and were able to jump in to the absolutely freezing cold water!! Marshall and I swam to the falls and walked around the backside, which was so awesome, but so painful with the spray off the waterfall. In the first full waterfall picture (below) Marshall is just barely visible sitting at the bottom of the falls.


























































The two guides prepared the rappelling gear while we ate, swam, and sunbathed (aka sunburned). Then they came down to get the people who were going rappelling, which was supposed to be almost everyone based on the number who raised their hands before going on the trail. However, only myself and two other courageous folks decided to go! While understanding the directions in Portuguese was a bit difficult, everything went great and we all made it out alive and exhilarated from the experience!


Here I go!












And down. . .



Success!


















The last place we stopped was a very blue swimming hole with lots of fish to look at. And it was actually a decent temperature! However, it also meant that we spent the 2.5 hrs in the van in wet clothes. The ticks and many other unidentifiable bug bites also put a damper on the end of such a day. So far no ticks at home yet; two in the field though. . . Ugh! But we did get a ride home from the tour guides, which was awesome since they didn't think any buses were still going.


Marshall was really tired this morning, but said it was well worth going. I stayed home this morning to work on cleaning our disgusting clothes and finishing some homework, then I'll meet Marshall for lunch around noon. Hopefully we'll actually be able to get our CPF number (equivalent of social security number, I think) over the lunch hour too!!