Brazil: Part 3

I’m a huge history buff.

Huge.

That’s why when I was given the opportunity to go to Paraty, a colonial city four hours from Rio de Janeiro, I jumped at the chance. This sleepy little city was founded by the Portuguese in the 1600s, and a lot of the architecture and history reveals its old, colonial roots.

Being in Paraty was almost like being back in college at William and Mary. I was able to go to awesome museums and walk the same cobbled streets people hundreds of years ago walked. The one thing you won’t come across in Williamsburg anytime soon: flooded streets! The streets of Paraty flood with the tides, so sometimes, to get to where you’re going, you need to go a long, long bit out of your way unless you want to take an impromptu swim! It’s like an accidental Venice.

Paraty also happens to be home of cachaca, which you’ll find in caiparinas and other Brazilian drinks. It’s strong like tequila. Trust me, I sampled quite a lot at the Armazem do Cachaca, a store with every kind of cachaca you can think of (and some you probably haven’t).

We stayed at the Pousada do Sandi, a nice guesthouse right in the center of downtown. You can’t even access it by car because all of downtown is a preservation district. Plus, the roads get enough beating from the water! We had quite a nice patio to enjoy to ourselves at the pousada.

The next day, we took a boat tour of the beaches and islands around Paraty. To say “breathtaking” isn’t doing the trip or the sights justice, so I’ll let you decide with some of my favorite pictures from the day: