Beachtastic 22-25 March
Trip Start
Feb 21, 2006
1
5
40
Trip End
Jul 27, 2006
Maceio, Brazil
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
We arrived early, about 5:30 am - We had opted for the cheapest tarrif for the bus journey. However, this meant that there was very little leg room making it very difficult to get much sleep)
We found a place called Pousada Gloria costing around 12 pounds/night including breakfast. The room had aircon, TV AND a fridge - there must be some kinda catch we thought - and yes, there was. The bathroom had THE most unpleasant smell (to put it mildly) but Im not 1 for mincing my words - it smelt like shit, 24 hours a day...
The area was pleasant enough, Maceio was on a peninsula so had beaches all the way round. We were on Praia Pajucara (the cheaper, but quieter part of town) which has nice white sand, very calm seas due to a natural reef about 2 KM from shore and a few restaurants along the sea front.
We spent one afternoon exploring, walking around the peninsula into Praia de Ponta Verde, then onto Praia de Jatiuca. Between these 2 beaches runs a long seafront promenade, lined with many restaurants and Tapioca stalls but perhaps the most interesting thing was the cycle lane filled with speed walkers - Well I say speed walkers but the majority of people walking were doing to at normal pace (just exaggerating their arm movements) all kitted out in full Lycra - young, skinny, old and fat people all "speed" walking together - it was sooo funny - I wish we had taken the camera as we could have got a few funny photos!!!! (DM)
Gunga Beach
Having explored the local area, we heard that Algoa State (Maceio capital of) had some great beaches both to the north and south of Maceio. We decided on a day trip to what we thought looked the nicest from the tourist info - Gunga Beach.
The tour cost 5 pounds each (basically a minibus to take you the 50 KM there and back, stopping at a couple of other beaches to look at en route - not too bad for a fiver)Anyway, the bus took us off the main road, down a dirt track lined with literally 1000´s and 1000´s of old coconut shells, then into and area lined with palm trees. The beach its-self was spectacular (the best so far in Brasil) quite secluded, really white sands, clear blue seas (If a little rough, but great fun for a spot of body surfing!!!) - unfortunately the pictures don't really do it justice but you´ll just have to take our words for it - it was B E A Utiful. (DM)
We chose Gunga because during this trip my Grandad who I loved very dearly saddly passed away. Seeing as I couldnt be there for his funeral I said goodbye to him in my own special way on this beautiful, peaceful beach. Life is very unfair sometimes!!! (LS)
After Gunga, returning back to Maceio seemed a little bland in comparison. So we decided it was time to move on - Next stop OLINDA (DM)
