Saturday, February 23, 2013

Jungle ride (horses in Brazil, part 1)

A few days ago when we were in Paraty, Peter and I did something totally touristy and went horseback riding... and it was completely worth it! Raul (pronounced How-ul) picked us up a few blocks from the hotel and we drove about 15 minutes to where he keeps his horses. He has seven and I rode Chumango (I have no idea how that is spelled, but it basically means "Rebel." This is funny because my first horse ever was named Rebel). He's a Campolina, one of the breeds of Brazilian gaited horses.  

Raul took us on a 12 km (about 7.5 miles) up the hill through the jungle to a waterfall, across to a cachaçeria (where they make pinga) and then back down the hill. The ride was a mix of road and trails including crossing the river twice. It was about a 3.5-hour trip. 

Peter and Raul and Chumango's head.

The waterfall up high in the jungle.

Peter admires the jungle

Tasting at the cachaçeria - they had one sweet variation with cinnamon and cloves - tastes like Christmas. Raul is on the right.

Cachaçeria guy gives us a tour of the distillery.

Chumango, the Campolina I rode. The saddle was a bit like an Australian saddle - sort of a mix between English and Western.

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