Parati

Parati´s cobblestoned streets are designed in such a way they´re washed by each high tide. However, since Parati has no sewage treatment plant, I assume sewage flows out to the surrounding sea (which tourists swim in) via its rivers ... and back onto its streets : P

We saw some boys playing capoeira in the streets ... more quickly and viciously than they do back home, and also watched a bateria practice for their Carnaval parade. There were kids as young as six or seven playing with precision, and granny dancing samba in the centre. Fantastic!

Parati´s colonial buildings are tastefully decorated, and we found a delightful bar with a live samba band. We danced some gafiera, and the lead musician approached us at the end of his set to tell us it had made him really happy to see us dance (he felt that it showed a real appreciation of his music). He couldn´t believe we were from Australia/Singapore either. He used to gig in São Paolo before moving to Parati, and said the club he played at used to have gaf lessons before the band came on, but said it´s been 17 years since he´s seen gafieira danced. We´re looking forward to more dancing in Rio, and to meeting Donna, Tenny, Carolyn and Daniel when we get there.