Source Temple week 1

We found HelpX volunteering place near Cunha for two weeks. Source Temple is community about 30 people all over the world. They have all decided to live here in full harmony, filled with love and peace, enjoying working together and doing everyday chores. Main thing is to be mindful for others and live in the moment. Which isn't very hard when everything around us is so beautiful. We have two small lakes to swim after the days work, also Hawaii beach next to the river, yoga-gazebo and community hall. Green hills surrounding us and inviting for walks, and couple waterfalls also.

We are eight volunteers at the moment, we do different things from cooking, gardening (own organic veggies!), building, painting, sawing, landscaping, carpentry,.. Pretty much everything. We have neighmors dogs and horses plus so cute billy (baby goat) named Billy :D 

3rd Day

Monday, our first working day, also Boxing Day. I totally skipped Christmas this year. At any point I haven't felt like Christmas. We came here Saturday morning, before that I called home where everything sounded wonderful, normal, plenty of delicious foods. We had Christmas BBQ here, tons of meat and salad, great fire and river to cool down. Today six people were moving houses so we helped moving the stuff. This place has about 20 houses and our volunteer guesthouse, each house is different and individual.

Later I participated for prayer (it was actually really relaxing) and we swam on the lake, played some yatzy and cards and made dinner. Well I wasn't in the mood for beans so I made Christmas porridge - riisipuuro. Me and Rob walked to the nearby Pimenta waterfalls and it was in three layers, two pools to swim. 

4th Day

Getting up at 4am for voluntary meditation, continued for yoga class at 5am and had a little snooze before breakfast. I was on kitchen duty and I started it with feeding the fish on our two lakes. Do you know how relaxing it was? This whole place is just so wonderful, no hurries and you can take all the time you need to do the job you are given. So I sat down, threw some old bread and watched when the fish came and ate it all. Cooked delicious lunch and took a nap in the hammock. 

6th Day

Morning meditation and yoga, I did them alone because the guided one was too fast for me. Ate breakfast with others, homemade jam and bread! I painted a house for the whole four hours, time went so fast and it was so much fun :) I really enjoyed it. Lunch was amazing also! Just gets better and better, beans and rice (standard) but then always at least three different salads. 

After lunch me, Agostina and Caitlin went riding with Juilmar. And oh my good! The best horse riding ever! We went top of the hill where we had stunning 360° view, so green everywhere :) we continued to the waterfall, crossed two rivers, I was one big smile. And it only got better when we got to the waterfall, we swam behind it! Incredible!! Probably the first time I have swam behind the waterfall. Evening we cook delicious meal from lunch leftovers, pumpkin pancakes and beansteaks. Later Felipe thaught us brazilian game, Truco. But I think this day was the best of all <3 

7th Day

Full week!! Days starts to be pretty rutin like already - meditation, yoga, brekkie, work, lunch, free time, prayer, free time. And I am loving it! :) Could I just stay here? 

Tomorrow is Saturday, no work. Last day of 2016. We have heard rumours that we might have pizza night tomorrow, but there won't be any kind of party. So I might be sleeping when year changes, which I haven't done since I was a kid. Tonight we go see what this village has to offer ;) 

Happy New year for everyone!! 

Paraty

We spend a week in Paradise! Immediately we arrived I told Rob I don't want to go anywhere else. We stayed little outside the town, Casa Viva Paraty and it was one of the best hostels we have stayed. Neil and Igor were so friendly, it was middle of jungle, we saw monkeys and cooled down in very nice pool. Place was just so incredible :D 

Paratys historic centre reminded me of Villa de Leyva or Mompox in Colombia, and I loved both of those. Cobbled stone streets, colonial buildings, colorful tour boats, food stalls and handicrafts, river crossing the town. And two beaches also :) 

We did daytrips to Trinidade, where we walked to natural pool and bodysurfed in great waves. Another day we went to Larenjeras and hiked to Praia do Sono, very laidback beach community. It was the best beach for swimming, no waves at all, clear water and temperature close to +30! Water I mean :) There were many other trails also which you could explore for waterfalls and natural pools bit we didn't have time for those. 

Thursday night we had the worst thunder storm ever!! It lasted three hours, we were stuck in our tent, lightning was constant and it rained so heavily. But we survived!!

HYVÄÄ JOULUA MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! Next two weeks we will volunteer in Cunha, Source Temple :)

Cabo Frio

We CouchSurfed at Wagners place in Cabo Frio for four nights and it was so great! We went diving to Arraial do Cabo on Friday and Saturday, second best divesites in whole Brazil. And it was great! Coolest thing what we saw was batfish, I have never seen so ugly fish. If you can say it is a fish, it looked little like bat, plucked chicken and frog, but I didn't see any resemblence for a fish. 

Saturday afternoon was really nice, we met Finnish Lanetta who works one of the diveshop in Buzios. Sunday we hiked to Playa Atalaia, 'remote' beach said Rob.. Remote yes but probably the most busiest. We had been arguing the whole morning and we didn't speak a word on our two hour walk there. But when we got there, everything was forgotten. It was perfect swimming, turqoise water and big waves. It was so beautiful! Beach life on its best :D

Evening just got better and better. All three of us went for the beach, walked top of the fort and had beers there while watching sunset. Feeling what I had sitting there, watching the sunset, no worries, everything felt like they were in right spots, happy, calm, fullfilled,.. Like I belonged there. I have had this feeling for few times, I think I need to return to the beach. 

Public transpotation

For those who thinks traveling is so easy and we are just lying on the beach.. 

We had looked that there is bus leaving to Cabo Frio at 4.30pm. We left already at 3pm from the hostel, that SHOULD have given us plenty of time to get to the bus terminal (5km away) and buy tickets. First part of the journey went easily, metro was fast. Second not so much. We needed to buy tram tickets. Only one place to sell them with a huge line. About seven VLT workers were hanging around and we asked can we buy tickets anywhere elso. 'No, only from the machine. So we waited and when it was finally our turn, text was only in portugese and we didn't know do we need to buy one or two cards and how much money to put in them. Women came to help us (in portugese) speaking so fast and pointing different things.  After five minutes I almost spelled at her 'two tickets to bus station'. And then she tells us that we need to have exact right amount, machine doesn't return money. But you can buy the ticket from me. Bloody hell, we asked 15 minutes ago can we buy the tickets anywhere else and you said no. 

Whatever we have the tickets. Just in time when the rain started to be very heavy. Jumped off from the tram to witness a bus crash to another one right in front of us. Front window fell on to the ground. I think everyone were okey, but we had to move on. 

Another line for bus tickets. 15 windows and only five of them open and 20 people working behind the desk. We lined and people behind us just went in front of us! When it was our turn, the guy said this is only for reclaims.. You must be kidding me!! In the end he sold us the tickets and we made it to the 4.30pm bus. Once again I was wishing I would be home where things work how they should :) But patience is the key word in here! Zeeeennn! 

Rio de Janeiro

I <3 Rio

This city is like a country on its own. I start from the beaches - Flamengo, Ipanema and Copacabana, Bogatofa. Ipanema being the best one, turqoise water, big waves, white sand, surfing,  beach volleyball and caipiriñhas :) How wonderful it is that you can enjoy such a beautiful beach in a million city? Monday afternoon, cloudy, 5pm and beach was packed. I bet they have lining system in January and February and you will be sharing a towel to a person who you have never seen before. But it was so lovely! Water was so warm, just floating around, lying on the beach, didn't matter what time or date it was. I felt so happy and relaxed.

One day we went to the centre and Lapa area. I felt like I was back in New York! Skyscrapers, yellow cabs, people wearing suits (+35°), corner shops and cafes, parks,.. Amazing colonial buildings mixed with new ones. We went to Santa Teresa also but we didn't find the part what everyone was fussing about before the rain hit again. We were in Rio four days and it rained every single day! There was some sun also :) 

Third day we went up to Christ Redeemer. Statue itself was little disapointment, the one in Chilechico (Chile) was bigger! But the view was amazing!! No doubt about it. You could see the beaches, sugar loaf mountain, city centre, Nitaroi bridge, Favelas,.. 

Rio is definitely worth of visiting. I loved it, Rob loved it, everyobe will love it. It has everything. And after Argentina it is not even expensive. We ate outside everyday and bought drinks and snacks on the beach. 

Curitiba

First I thought it doesn't matter if it rains, we are in the tropics, it's warm. But when it rains four days in a row, it's not okey anymore. 

We got back to the mainland, thank good the boat had a roof! We took a bus to Curitiba, cleanest, coolest and most modern city in Brazil.. Hmmm.. I think we can have two different options of that. And not so much colonial buildings either. Well, we managed to pick a total shithole hotel. Yes, hotel! And with the rain we didn't sew much of the town. 

Next morning we went to Mercado Municipal and that, yes was the best market place what you can ask for. Everything was super tidy and organized, huge selection of wines, fruits, oils, spices, pastas, meats, veggies,.. It was a great place for people watching also :) Went to see botanical garden and historic centre also but rain forced us to go back 

Ilha do Mel

Isla de Miel - Honey Island - Hunajasaari

We are in Brazil, beach and paradise :D I don't know where to start, I am too happy! We took a two hour boat ride from Paranagua to here, straight after 13h busride. After we stepped our feet on the boat our holiday started :) Dolphins were swimming right next to us, sun was shining, no clouds, nice little breeze,.. It only got better after we got to the island. It reminded me of Little Corn island in Nicaragua or Koh Rung in Cambodia; no shops, no banks, no roads, no cars, limited electricity,.. Sandy paths, wooden huts, white sandy beaches and jungle <3 No stress, no worries, no hurry. We found so cute camping and cabaña place, Clodo. Went for a lunch to celebrate our great choise of destination, and oh my! I can't remember last time I have been so full!! Fresh fish and shrimps, black beans, salad, rice and fries. Halleluja!

Today we walked to the other side of the island, checked the old lighthouse, had lunch and walked to 1700s fortress. On our way there, we passed tens of collapsed houses. Sea has risen so much that it has washed away peoples homes. Climate change. People were trying to build walls and barriers, but it only helps little while.. It made me sad. Plus it started to rain when we walked back, got completely soaked. 'If you are already wet, might as well go swimming', Rob said. And so we did. Only people on the beach, water was so warm. And when we got back to our tent, the owner lady offered us one of her cabaña to stay so we wouldn't get wet again. So kind of her :) 

Today we have been travelling 300 days!! Still few to go. I will return England 13th of February, so it is exactly one year (plus one day 'cause 29.2) of travelling!

Iguazu Falls

We are back in the tropics! Palm trees, blue sky, sun, lot of bugs, warm down pours,..

Famous Iguazu Falls which you can see from Argentina and Brazil. Argentinian side has more walks and you see wider view of them, that is why we chose to go Argentinian side. Rob almost got a panic attack from the amount of people were there. And slighty ruined my day while complaining about everything! But the falls were amazing, no question about it!! Almost 2km long, tons of different ones, big and small. For me it was magical, and how they had built walkways that you could actually walk top of the falls :) 

We visited animal rehabilitation centre also, those innocent animals were rescued from poachers and from people whobthinks itvis okey to have a monkey or a wild cat as a pet! Evening we went to a local food court/market place. They were selling wine, cheese, olives, dulce de leche, ham and sausage. Nice music and atmosphere was amazing. Kind of like where you could dance on the streets :D

It is hard to be in a country where you don't speak the language. I have used to speak spanish everyday, but now it is no use. Should learn portugese with weird accent :) not going to happen in these four weeks. Just have to try and manage!

Paraguay

It is +41° and we are sitting at the park in Asuncion drinking mint Terere (ice cold mate). It is hot hot hot!! :D

We came to Paraguay to get that 'real' feeling of South-America once more. Chile and Argentina has felt quite European. I mean that little chaos on the road, people selling stuff on the street, indigenous people and beans! We crossed the bridge from Posadas to Encarnacion, less than 1km and three different buses :) But everything went super fast. Rob had found an excellent hotel right next to the bus station.

We took a bus to Trinidad to see Jesuits ruins. Rob gave me history lesson there ;) I found it very interesting, I went 300 years back in time!

Second and last stop was Asuncion, the capital. We found so nice hostel again (Arandu) that I think we spent more time here chilling than looking around the city. It felt like home! Enjoyed the sun at the patio, practised yoga, I was sweating so much that there was a small puddle underneath me when I finished :D

Tonight we take night bus to Ciudad del Este and cross back to Argentina to see the great Iguazu Falls.

Reserva Esteros del Ibera

Reserva Esteros del Ibera, or village Colonia Pellegrini, is a small place out of tourist track, which we found to be superb! Campsite was right next to the lake, green pitches, roofed cooking area with light and charging points. Good spot for sunset and sunrise.

Heat was something incredible, no need for clothes not to mention sleeping bag during the night. Our tent was like sauna at midday heat!! Only option was to put hammocks and try not to move, even reading took too much energy  :) Lake looked so tempting for cooling down, but it was 'Swimming at own risk. Watch out for caimans and piranhas!'. Another minus was that we couldn't find a bakery for goodies! 

Saturday we took evening boat tour around wetlands. Saw many black caimans, baby ones were the cutest ones. Landscape made me think of our summer cottage, calm water was like a mirrow and sunset was coloring the sky. Just from the car we had already seen many egrets and herons, parrots and other small birds, tens of capybaras and one huge lizard iguana. Greatest eye catcher was a marsh deer with huge horns. In the evenings there was no need for music, we had natures own concert, crickets and frogs :D

Sunday was something different. If I would have been home, under a roof with walls, heating and nice cup of tea and cozy couch, it would have been perfect. But when you are outside and temperature drops 20°, wind is blowing and it rains 12h and your tent starts floating it is not so funny :o Keep the positive mind! I was wet anyway so what the heck, lets go horse riding! Me and Bruno were seriously the only people outside!! After two hours of riding I was completely soaked, my lips and hands were blue but I was happy :) crazy, I know!

Hitchiking to Pellegrini

Getting there was difficult and expensive by bus so we hitchiked :) I wouldn't say it is easier but ten times more interesting.

First we had to get out from Buenos Aires so we took local bus to Zarate. Just our luck there was an accident on the road and it took over two hours to get there. And then the driver was unreasonable and didn't let us out from the bus until the station. It was over 5km back to the crossroads. Rescuing angel Charlie, who was on the same bus, promised to pick his friends car and drove us back to the roundabout. So kind of him! From there we got picked from an elderly couple going to Gualeguyauchu, they also offered us to use their shower if needed (what, are you saying we smell bad?! ;D). By lunch time we were waiting at police checkpoint and got a ride till Colon. This guy also offered that we could sleep at his place if we want, but 'cause it was only 3pm we wanted to carry on. Long way still to go. Next guy picked us from gas station and dropped us at Concordias toll station. Living the lows of hitchiking, it was probably the most unconfortable place to wait. Plus it started to rain little bit but just then a car stopped and Rey took us to Federacion. Lovely and clean village on the river, Uruguay on the otherside. We didn't want to camp, thunder and lighting was right above us so we checked in Mi Sueño (my dream), the cutest apartamentos and coziest bed! I could have just stay there, use the kitchen and walk along the river.

But we carried on. By 10am it was already +30° and we were roasting! This waiting time was the funniest of all. Rob was waiting on the otherside, in the shade, and when car stopped and I said that we are two, they had a look at Rob and then just left without saying anything! After an hour couple took us to Chajari, we were there 15min when another couple came to hitchike. Rules of hitchiking - you either wait that the first person there has gotten a ride or you walk further. They waited. But we got a ride pretty quickly, hopefully they were as lucky as we. Cristian went almost all the way to Mercedes, and rest of that journey we went with a truck.

It was again only 3pm and no buses to Pellegrini. So we desided to try our luck and hitchike. Problem was, it was over 30° both of us had two bags and 6km to walk end of town.. Started walking and thank good Liliana stopped and gave us a ride for the junction. And she gave us her address so we could sleep at her place when we would come back! So there we were, waiting in afternoon sun but it just felt so perfect. Everything had gone so well, how many amazing people we had met again and seen two really nice towns where no other tourist had probably stopped before :)  120km to go, easy we thought. And when we got a ride from a women who said she is going close to Pellegrini we were ecstatic. Ei saa nuolaista ennen kuin tipahtaa, äiti ois sanonu. We drove 30min and then it was it, 95km to go. We were middle of nowhere! Two cars passed without stopping and I was already thinking that we will spend our night on the road. Then, huge pick up came, drove past us and I got so angry. But then he stopped and started reversing, jihuu!!! And he was going to Pellegrini, we were saved :)

I think this has been our best hitchiking journey. So many intetesting people and bonus places to see. If we would have taken the bus we wouldn't have seen anything or meet anyone. It is sometimes exhausting to wait a ride and make conversarions when you would like to sleep. Also stressful not knowing how far you will get. But end of the day, hitchiking will make your life more interesting and we still have time :)