Today, I went for a small hike in Chapada Diamantina National Park.
After two weeks in a large city, this was more than the proverbial breath of fresh air – despite it being filled with smoke from the forest fires. Green forests, beautiful views, the elements of nature, strange animals, mountains, rivers, waterfalls.
But for the couch potatoes among you who aren’t enticed by any of this, I want to show you one view which may change your mind.
For those with bad eyes, a closer look:
I was surprised because this was a long walk from town, a long way from all the other people in the park. But then, this shows you how safe Brazil is. If ladies can swim alone in the middle of the wilderness, without any company, but without fear, then it’s a really safe place.
Guys, I can see that some of you are getting ready to go hiking already. Unfortunately, I am too ethical to reveal the location of this natural pool. Well, maybe if you bribe me…
Links:
- More about Chapada Diamantina or about Brazil in general.
- More about hiking.
The Happy Hermit 
You do realise that’s Artemis and now you’ll be chased by hounds for the rest of your life, right? ;)
Oh shoot!
And shame on me for not even knowing that story until you brought it to my attention (I didn’t study Greek at high school and am thus painfully under-educated in Greek mythology).
I heard already that Brazil is world leader in the consumption of suntan oil. But I did know that there are entire pools filled with this stuff.
Once I got closer, the lake didn’t look as dark, though. Some of the natural pools had very clear water, even.
Have you ever watched “Turistas” with Josh Duhamel and Olivia Wilde? Lol
I just saw the trailer now – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82vCpAgBpoc – because I hadn’t heard of the film before. Looks like “Blair Witch Project” set in Brazil, but with equally stupid characters.
Haha I like this movie. It is already 10 years and talks about organ trafficking. Nothing like BWP.
But why would anyone kidnap tourists to take their organs when they can kidnap Brazilians or Mexicans, about whom sadly far fewer people in the world and in law enforcement will care?
Ask John Stockwell :D And thanks to remember I am closer these criminals than foreigners. In this case, even mexicans are tourists.
But even the Mexican police ain’t care about Mexicans, because so many disappear in Mexico every day. Sometimes with the help of the police, even.
Hum. I’ve never made any statistic comparision between Brazil and Mexico about it. I guess it is a good idea for my vacations.
It is a pity! Do you know if these fires are criminal or is it just the warm El Niño coming up?
Fire ragings are very common because of the weather, sometimes.
I don’t know for sure, but most people here suspect criminal activity (although that doesn’t mean it has to be, of course). What I find suspicious is the large number of fires being started at different spots. Without lightning, how would a dire start naturally? Animals and plants don’t do crazy stuff, do they?
Of course not. But its known that leaving broken glasses, cigarettes, metal papers (like snack packages) into the forest foment fire in warm days after the sun reflecting and burning these stuffs. I don’t know too much about these trails there, but here in Rio it is very common. It is much more about awareness, sometimes.
I have only gone hiking one day, but I was positively surprised. I did not see any trash anywhere. But there a lot of people smoking marijuana, maybe they accidentally light fires when they doze off with a joint.
Haha blame it on marijuana :p
Rivers, wells and countless waterfalls involving all the Chapada Diamantina, are pure and clean Acutely, but has this color of tea because they are rich in iron (because rocks..lot of) and tannin (substance found primarily in the stems of trees). Sorry to say, but not with all the suntan oil in a world these waters would be that color. ;)
Thanks for this detailed explanation!
It was interesting to walk along this small river and all the waterfalls on its way, because the color of the water changed so many times.
My guess is that humic acid from decomposition of many organic matter around this pond is the reason for the brown color.
i hope you didn’t stand there looking at her playing with your tool!