Paraty, Brazil
We slipped into the bay at Paraty shortly after breakfast, the low hanging clouds and mist swathing the jungle-clad hills around the town and giving the place a sense of intrigue and adventure – a sense of Brazil in the old days, as indeed it is, for Paraty is a beautifully preserved colonial seaport, its old quarter a World Heritage Site of cobbled streets and picturesque colonial Portuguese architecture.
The bay here is shallow, so we anchored about three miles out and rode in the rest of the way by Zodiac. The water was silky smooth, even more so closer in to shore, reflecting the hulls of the colourfully painted fishing vessels and restored schooners that were huddled around the dock. We landed and set off to explore the old quarter of town, and then walked to an old fort a short ways away.
It was easy and pleasant to fall into Paraty’s languid pace. The streets are narrow, and no cars are permitted within the heritage site; the only wheeled traffic was bicycles, barrows, and the odd horse cart. The streetscapes were a watercolourist’s dream – raffish old stucco facades with brightly painted trimmings, ornamental ironwork on the balconies, and weathered tiles on the roofs. We spent the morning browsing amongst Paraty’s maze of streets, wandering in and out of shops and galleries before returning to the ship for lunch. The afternoon was equally leisurely, with some spending some more time exploring and photographing the old quarter, while others opted for a swim on a crescent of beach nearby. It was easy to see why this pretty and rustic town has become a popular retreat for savvy Brazilians seeking to get away from the hectic bustle of Rio.
The air was warm and pleasant, but the clouds remained low, and by late afternoon, a heavy shower reminded us of just why there was so much lushness and green in the hills surrounding us and enclosing the bay. We drew anchor after dinner and steamed away, southbound as usual. Next stop the small state-park island called Ilha Anchieta.
We slipped into the bay at Paraty shortly after breakfast, the low hanging clouds and mist swathing the jungle-clad hills around the town and giving the place a sense of intrigue and adventure – a sense of Brazil in the old days, as indeed it is, for Paraty is a beautifully preserved colonial seaport, its old quarter a World Heritage Site of cobbled streets and picturesque colonial Portuguese architecture.
The bay here is shallow, so we anchored about three miles out and rode in the rest of the way by Zodiac. The water was silky smooth, even more so closer in to shore, reflecting the hulls of the colourfully painted fishing vessels and restored schooners that were huddled around the dock. We landed and set off to explore the old quarter of town, and then walked to an old fort a short ways away.
It was easy and pleasant to fall into Paraty’s languid pace. The streets are narrow, and no cars are permitted within the heritage site; the only wheeled traffic was bicycles, barrows, and the odd horse cart. The streetscapes were a watercolourist’s dream – raffish old stucco facades with brightly painted trimmings, ornamental ironwork on the balconies, and weathered tiles on the roofs. We spent the morning browsing amongst Paraty’s maze of streets, wandering in and out of shops and galleries before returning to the ship for lunch. The afternoon was equally leisurely, with some spending some more time exploring and photographing the old quarter, while others opted for a swim on a crescent of beach nearby. It was easy to see why this pretty and rustic town has become a popular retreat for savvy Brazilians seeking to get away from the hectic bustle of Rio.
The air was warm and pleasant, but the clouds remained low, and by late afternoon, a heavy shower reminded us of just why there was so much lushness and green in the hills surrounding us and enclosing the bay. We drew anchor after dinner and steamed away, southbound as usual. Next stop the small state-park island called Ilha Anchieta.
