Posada Rancho do Ralf - Pirenopolis

We went to a charming little town called Pirenopolis. We stayed at a Posada called Rancho do Ralf. It was a little slice of heaven! Very tropical, very clean, very beautiful.  The first several pictures are of the grounds at Rancho do Ralf... Then we walked around town and did some shopping... and eating!!  While we were there they were having a Jazz Festival at night... those pictures are on Meghan's camera and may or may not be seen by others until I make sure there is no incriminating evidence on them!!!!

My next blog entry will be of the beautiful waterfalls on the edge of the town... we walked through some amazing landscapes and came upon beautiful waterfalls and swimming hole...  hopefully I will have enough time to do that blog before we leave for the Hot Springs tomorrow.  We will be there through Monday and then have to get ready to leave on Wednesday...wow time always flies when you're on vacation!

This town was built by African Slaves way way back in the day.  They laid alllllll the cobblestone streets and made all the tile roofs by molding clay over their thighs and shaping the tiles to the size needed.  It is amazing to see it is still in existence today and has withstood the test of time.... and automobiles!!!  In many of the store windows you will see busts of African women, much like the one above.  Tradition is that the women stood in the windows and would greet all the people as they went by, bringing good luck to the home or store.



The pool.... crystal clear... no chlorine smell... amazing

Our front door..... Greg fell in love with the hammock.... we ended up buying one in town.... don't ask how we are getting in back on the plane.... Greg wanted it... he'll have to deal!!!

The grounds of this posada had so many different trees.... as does most of what we have seen so far of Brasil... Coffee trees, Banana, Mango, Cashew (have you EVER seen a cashew.... weird!) Papaya, Coconut, and other different fruit that I've never heard of but have been drinking the juice!  It is a tropical paradise on one hand then drive a mile or so out and you feel almost like you are in the Fremont hills with scrub oak and dry grass!!!  Very different environments just a little bit away from each other!!

This is a cashew... or Caju .. the nut is on top.  

The orange part they make a very tasty juice out of!  

Never in  million years would I have thought this 

is what a cashew looked like!!!  

This is coffee beans growing on a tree outside the front door of our room at the posada.

Here is a picture of a beautiful flower that was plentiful on the grounds and  a banana tree... one of millions around Brasil... and the bananas have a slightly different taste... good.. but different.

As you can see... Greg found the bar by the pool.....  Brazilian Beer... his new found friend....

These statues are everywhere.... they are beautiful!

Next posting.... the town of Pirenopolis and our adventures to the waterfalls.....