Getting to paradise by bus

25 March 2010

We get up at 5.30h, pack up, breakfast at 6h, settling the hotel bill at 6.30h, and at 6.40h, we're in the taxi to the bus terminal. A bit nervous, we arrive at 6.55h: 5 minutes left to buy the tickets and catch the 7am bus - we make it!

The bus drives out of the station, makes one turn, slowly joins the traffic and then we hear a slight bump against the bus. The bus driver starts complaining and pulls over. It appears that no one other than a police car has hit the bus. The bus hardly has a scratch, the police car slightly more damaged. Luckily the matter is all cleared up with 30 min and we continue on our way.

At 11.40h, we arrive in Sao Sebastiao, where we have to change buses - the next one leaves at 12h. But we are out of cash (the cash machine at the bus terminal did not work for us that morning). Gaudi runs along the main street of the town, and tries one cash machine after an other - the fourth one works, unfortunately it is at the other end of town, and so he sprints back in the midday heat. With no time to spare, we make the second bus. This one is a municipal bus: few seats, lots of passengers standing, no A/C (it is 33 degrees), no luggage compartment. We spend an hour on this bus. Natasha trying to keep our luggage from toppling over in the isle, Gaudi fending off his sleeping neighbour who tends to lean on him. The scenery is stunning though: green forested hills, and a coastline with many little beaches.

At 13h, we arrive in Caragua. At 13.40h, we need to board our next municipal bus. In the meantime, Tash runs to the next shopping centre to get some more cash, we realised that one withdrawal will not be enough for the next few days. Luckily, the busride turns out a bit shorter than expected: 40 minutes instead of 90 minutes: we're getting off at the turnoff to our destination: Praia Fortaleza. The Praia is 7km from here, down a small road. There is a bus service, but we don't know when. After Tash walks into a near hotel and makes a call to our hotel we know: the next bus is at 16.15h (in two hours), there are no taxis, and our hotel can't pick us up either.

Without a plan really we start walking along this 7 km road with all our luggage, figuring we will hail down the bus if and when it passes. The road is very windy and goes up and down, with the heat and humidity we our soaked within minutes. After 2 km we decide it is best to just wait on that spot (with a great view over one of the lovely beaches). Pretty desperate, we try to hitch a ride. The first car gives us a strange look and drives on, the second car smiles put makes clear that they are full already. Then comes a third car, a small truck. We dont bother waving this time, but the friendly man stops for us, and drives us very close to our destination but the last kilometer we still have to walk. By now, very hot, very sweaty and very tired, we are starting to wonder about this hotel, what if it is a dump then we are in real trouble. . .

But finally more or less 12 hours after we woke up that morning, we arrive and . . . it is a little paradise!

Praya da Fortaleza Fotos