6 February

Off we set for the square all breakfasted up and equestrian-al. The group finally came and after a gentle journey we arrived at the stables. Trust us to opt for horse-trekking in a third world country (not trying to sound like a snob here but just await the full story) Being time conscious Brazil and mathematically wizzardly there were three horses ready for 6 people. Just to give everyone an idea I hadn´t gotten out of bed on the wrong side I had literally jumped without any intention of landing on my feet onto the wrong-side. So naturally when they indicated that the albino horse with crazy purple ears who reached my shoulders was to be my 'steed' I was anything but delighted and due to the circumstances expressing my disdain. Tantrum tot full- steam ahead our guide= Pedro finally cottoned on and changed my 'Gringo'(it´s ever suitable name ) for the best looking horse in the yard. Little did I know it would turn out to be the moodiest of the lot and had a penchant for doing the opposite of what I could or would hope for. So off we took, on the road again the 6 of us a TOUGH CROWD at best- two Danes, one Dutch , B and Pampa her skinny but speedy 'steed', Pedro and me and 'Carioca'( essentially meaning someone from Rio). About 20 minutes into the ride and at the first sign of speed, I FALL OFF THE HORSE, ok so maybe I got thrown ....according to the guy behind me the horse bucked because of my backpack annoying him and me being the 'polo-playing dreamwife' went to hold onto the horses neck rather than pull in the reigns. I went flying into some dense vegetation, ripped my pants and landed on my neck. Horsey skidaddled and lost my pack in the process. Feeling alive and fine enough I got back on the horse and we set off again. A little shakey and a little more humble we stopped at a river for a beautiful swim in tea-coloured water, a snooze and quite the mix for lunch. Picking up the pace again we took to the track and the lush vegetation of 'Chapada Diamantina National Park'. We finally emerged between gallops and trots on fine white sand and the beautful waterfall/river Roncador(means snoring) cascading over the smoothest pink granite. A few corners more and we arrived a turquoise painted building /our home for the night. Big rooms, lots of small children=NOISE(our favorite!!!) and clean bathrooms. A luxury indeed. We removed the saddles from the horses and headed back to the water to let the horses have a swim and afterwards we would be free to splish , splash and slide(natural waterslides had formed thanks to the constant flow of the still tea-coloured water. Upon entering the water my horse being somewhat more hesitant if not stubborn than Beanie¨s something found its way onto my palm and consequently sunk its teeth in. I squealed, the horses fled still in the water and well......not my day with the animals. After re-uniting the horses and getting them out Bean and I 'piranha-ed' our way to the edge of the granite and up the ridges in search of sliding fun- apparently not quite as smooth as we had anticipated but every bit as fast moving thanks to the force of the water- we exfoliated our behinds for a while and trouted about before making it onto the sand consisting of all kinds of minerals with books and yawns. Dinner was served at seven and not a minute toooo soon- fresh air and adventure had worn us all out. Delicious and home-made- rice, feijoa(beans- very typical in BR), green papaya cooked almost like a pumpkin, pumpkin, salad, carne do sol(a dry type of meat cured by the the sun and then cooked) and chicken.. An attempt to find an ever elusive shooting star for the slightly whip-lashed Riki ended without any cigars and sleep was welcomed by all.