Visit to Castrolanda

We visited Castrolanda today, which is a colony settled 60 years ago by Dutch immigrants.  For the 50th anniversary of the colony, they built a huge windmill, the 7th largest in the world.  Janine Groenwold, a dear friend from Curitiba who grew up here gave us a fantastic tour of this wonderful little European gem tucked away in the farmlands of Parana.

Carambei, Parana

On our way to Castrolanda we stopped by to visit Carambei, another Dutch colony settled at the turn of the century.  The countryside here is breathtaking.

Vila Velha State Park, Ponta Grossa, Parana

On our way home from Ponta Grossa today we finally decided to stop and investigate a state park that we have passed dozens of times.  What a gem of a find!!  This place needs to be on everyone's list of places to see that visit Parana.  I love these pictures of Bonnie.  Every year she gets prettier and more elegant.  I just seem to get fatter.  Go figure.

Good Morning Curitiba!!

The awesome view out our window this morning.  Brazil is just incredible!

Presidente Roni and Presidente Cordon on the Caminho do Itupava.  He was our guide for the day.  It was a pleasure to be with him and his branch.

Caminho do Itupava

We were invited to hike with the members from Fazendo Rio Grande and Quitandinha the historic Caminho do Itupava trail. It starts on the outskirts of Quatro Barras and ends 25 km later in Morretes, near the coast.  It was a cold morning start with temps right around 40 degrees and drizzle.

 The start of the hike was very cold but we were very excited to see the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest up close and personal.

 Our first waterfall on the trip.  During the summer this would be a great place for a swim.

 Dallin near the crest where we began our descent down to the coast.

 This is a natural grotto with a fresh water spring.  It was very dark inside.  

 Bonnie and Dallin crossing one of the many suspension bridges.

 Bonnie and Dallin passing a reservoir during the hike.

 Old waterwheel

Our First Brazilian Fire

The cold has arrived and we decided to try lighting a fire in the fireplace for the first time.  Works like a charm.  We sat around the fireplace and roasted marshmellows.