We have a lazy start to the day. We decide to cook pancakes for ourselves (getting even more tired of the cold breakfasts) - it is nice. We then head into town at around 10 AM. Paraty is an old colonial town that dates back to 1650. It has been built in an interesting fashion. The cobble stone streets have been arranged in channels so that storm water will drain out to the sea and such that during very high tides the sea water will flood the streets and wash them clean. The buildings are built a bit above the street level.
We wander through town (walking on the cobblestones necessitates some care, otherwise you could easily twist an ankle - not a good place to be very drunk) and go and check out the pier and the boats tied up to it. Then back to the town itself to take a look at some of the buildings. It appears that UNESCO is correct in assessing that Paraty has some of the finest and most important examples of Portuguese colonial architecture.
Paraty has a number of different churches - each built to serve a different part of the population - the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie, the slaves and the freed mulattos. We were able to check out a number of them, but it was hard to find them open, so often we just had to admire them from outside. We spent a few hours wandering the streets and then had a snack in one of the cafes on the main square.
After lunch we go back to the truck to pick up our swim stuff, before heading back and to the north of town to check out one of the beaches. The was nothing special, but we laid down on the sand for a short rest and nap. Around 5:30 PM we walked back via the old town to the truck to wash up and get ready for the evening.
As we are heading into town, a heavy downpour begins. While we are prepared with our rain jackets, it is so heavy that we have to wait out the worst of it under an awning. We are lucky that we have time before the show that we are going to begins. It finally lets up and we head into the old town, stopping first at a bar for a quick drink.
We then go and watch a puppet show. It is a very interesting performance. The people have been putting on this show for about 15 years and have compiled a selection of their best works. They have even toured overseas and newspapers such as the New York Times have given them a favorable review. The stage is set up with limited props, and the puppets are about 2 feet tall. Two people dressed in black from head to toe, then manipulate the puppets on the stage. Some are good, some not so clear and some are a bit bizarre, but effective, such as the one where a women has an orgasm and then gives birth. The motions and movements are well done.
After the show we stop in a nearby restaurant for a Thai meal (it is actually quite good for the remote town in South America), before slowly walking through the old town which is packed with people going to the various bars. A number of buskers are performing their acts on the street. Then it is back to the campsite.