Seriously where has the time gone! We are down to our last 2 weeks in Brazil and the count down has begun.
Due to the bar malfunction that Pete alluded to in the last post, we decided to leave Ilha do Guajiru and make our way back to Cumbuco to get the bar repaired. We had meet up with a lovely couple, Ruth and Jason who were also looking to leave Guajiru and the four of us made our way back down the coast. We stayed in Icarai de Amontada for two nights in a very cute little house just a short walk from the beach. Although, in our very lazy state and laden down with kite gear we did end up driving to the beach. I know, not the most environmentally friendly option. The car runs on ethanol and not gas, do you think that helps?! The only downside to the house was that we shared it with a family of mosquito's, cockroaches and fire ants. It sounds really bad, but really we've been sharing our room with these things all along the coast and you just sort of get used to them. Although Ruth does say that if you squash a cockroach, the eggs come out and you just get more of them...yikes! Good thing we haven't squashed any.
Pete declared the two days in Icarai de Amontada, the best he's had in Brazil. The wind was just crazy and the area had both waves and a flat water section to ride in... it really was a kiter's paradise! Sadly, there was no kiting for me as we were still having some issues with equipment and the wind was just way too strong. I was more than happy to just laze around reading, drinking and eating.
From Icari we made our way back to Cumbuco, the place where our adventure first began. Ruth pulled some strings and we are paying next to nothing to stay in a very nice 'pousada' with a pool, internet and..drum roll please...a kitchen!! Gone are the days of the very unhealthy nutella sandwich lunch, bring on the real food! We've been eating fantastic breakfasts, lunches and dinners – it truly is a wonderful thing to have a kitchen. Jason even made hand squeezed orange juice for breakfast the other day...yum!
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| Guess what type of fish Pete is?! |
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Ruth and I cooking up a storm! |
The one thing I've noticed in Brazil is that everything and I really mean EVERYTHING has MSG in it. It's an ingredient in potato chips, sauces, spices, it's even listed as an ingredient in the salt...what's up with that?! For a girl that normally tries to eat organic, preservative free food, this is quite a shock. Anyone out there have any idea what MSG is used for and why it's supposed to be bad for you? Although maybe don't tell us until we are back in Canada as we can't really avoid it right now. We'll just continue to eat our healthy MSG meals in peace and ignorance!
The other bit news is that Pete's met his true love. Yes you read that right, he's fallen in love with a beautiful little 'bitch' (mum that's what a female dog is called, I'm not swearing!)
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| Pete's true love! |
She belongs to the Pousada owner and really is one of the sweetest little dogs ever! We found out that she's a Pincher and that they come in three sizes. She loves to cuddle on your lap, nibble your toes and chase you around. For people that generally prefer larger dogs, Lupita sure has captured all of our hearts.
We've been able to get our bar fixed in Cumbuco, although it's taken a few trips to the repair guy and a few more malfunctions. Luckily (for me) Pete was riding each time something went wrong and has been a real champ about all of this. He's had to do three deep water pack downs in the last week and a half. This involves having to secure your board, wrap up your lines, create a sail with your kite and make your way back to shore. All of this happens while you are floating in the ocean, miles away from shore. Things seem to be fixed now and fingers crossed that everything holds up for the next two weeks.
We were in Cumbuco over a Brazilian holiday that our Pousada owner, Sonya, told us is similar to labor day. Needless to say, the people watching was top notch!
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| Can you spot the Fabio look alike? |
Yum, nutella sandwich lunch. I'm having a Homer Simson moment right now.
ReplyDeleteMSG, E621, or glutamato monosodico in Brasil.. it's a flavour enhancer. It's the taste maker. But then the glutamate forms naturally (why do italian dishes taste great - they use lots of foods with high naturally occurring levels of glutamates - tomatos, parmesan, capsicums..). It's just those clever Japanese isolated the stuff and made food flavourings hit the next level!
ReplyDeleteIt's got a bad rep, but for most people it's not an issue ingesting normal quantities. Scientifically that is. Apparently in super high doses it can bring on more allergic responses (asthma etc). Back in my allergy days I'd try and steer clear as much as possible. I certainly was having issues when I was being force fed bbqed meats in Rio, but then I ate the best part of a cow (just to be polite..), so it was more a quantity issue.
But yeah, that's why brasilian churascaria tastes so fine, cooked over a smokie grill with a bunch of enhanced salt...
Anyhoo, you wish to avoid, eat sugary foods. It doesn't bring out the flavours with sugars, so it's a waste of putting it in there & not as common to see it listed..
Enjoy the fresh fruit & dolce de leche while you can! You can enjoy the lovely pricey organic foods to your hearts content when you get to oz. Several fantastic options 5mins stroll from my place.. even a vegan pie shop my mates run..
Deep water pack down sounds brutal Peter ;-(
ReplyDeleteLove the sexy pic of you and the new bitch!!
Is it the one sitting down? (picture corner bottom right) Or is it the one sitting on the horse???
ReplyDeleteLove and kisses
Rudy
@Karen - Too funny! I also love nutella sandwiches, although I've had so many of them that I'm ready for a switch...maybe peanut butter in New Zealand?
ReplyDelete@Sarah - I had no idea you knew so much about MSG!! Pete also has been 'force-feed' lots of meat. Although, more chicken than cow but I'm sure that will change in Rio. I'll be sure to eat a fresh mango just for you and Pete will finish off the other half of that cow :)
@Sherrie - there are more pics of Pete and his new hottie, we'll be sure to send them along!
@Rudy - You picked out more Fabio's than I did!! I thought it was the one walking next to the horse (still wearing his harness). Much too funny!!
Lots of hugs and kisses to you all!