We haven't been able to get with the Brown's since the last of April, when we went on the train ride to coastal towns of Morretes and Antonina. It was our turn to plan and host. We met Larry and Kay at the Campo Largo bus station Sunday night and walked to our apartment for a nice dinner. We walked them to the nearest nice hotel (Tulip Hotel). Early Monday morning, we caught a bus to Vila Velha, about an hour northwest of Campo Largo, close to Ponta Grossa. Vila Velha is a national park--a geological site, with sandstone out-croppings that have been sculpted over many, many years of wind and rain. It was perfect weather. We enjoyed several leisurely hours there. In the afternoon, we took the park bus to To catch the 3:30 bus back to Campo Largo, we had to walk about 1/2 mile to the freeway, then run across the freeway to the bus stop on the other side. Our timing was the best--just enough time with no traffic for four "idiosos" (senior citizens) :) to run across. It must have been quite a sight for freeway travelers to see four old people in white shirts & ties and dresses sitting on the bus stop bench. When we got back to Campo Largo, we separated to rest a bit before dinner at our house. The next morning we took a city bus to the Polovi Porcelain store, hoping to find to-die-for pieces of art. Camp Largo is well-known as Capitol of Brazilian Porcelain. | On the back side of the knoll of outcroppings is a rain forest. We walked both trails, took lots of pictures and enjoyed the moss-covered trees and branches, hanging Spanish moss, and vines twisting and curling everywhere. Instead of returning on the bus to the park center, we walked a lovely trail down, around and through fields. The surrounding hills and fields (campos) were planted in some kind of crop with an amazing green color--gorgeous! We relaxed, took our time and loved the experience! (except for the stairs, stairs, stairs)
It was another fun 1 1/2 days spent with the Brown's! |