Paranagua Bay

Friday's journey began bright and early with a trip down to the train station, located just outside downtown Curitiba. We boarded the tourist train, which is comparable to the train that would take you to the top of Pike's Peak. We were on a three hour ride from Curitiba, through the mountains and down to Morretes, a small town a short drive from the coast. The train ride down was very scenic, it was extremely dense, with several flowered trees and bushes among mostly green growth. Some areas were just big enough through the stone and greenery that the train cars barely squeezed through. Several times on the ride we were on a bridge, or looking over a dropoff of more than 175 feet. Most of the great scenery were beautiful views of the foggy mountain ranges, 200-400 foot waterfalls, and the rivers in the valleys. This was probably the closest area that we will get to a rain forest. For the most part it seemed like one, without any wildlife though.

When we got off of the train, a 15 minute bus ride took us the rest of the way to Paranagua Bay. Our first stop was a great seafood buffet looking over the river. After lunch, we braved the rain for a boat ride around Paranague Bay. It was a small boat that could fit 30 or so tourists, very roomy for us. We were able to go right by all of the cargo and container ships that were currently docked in the port, and see just how massive the ships as well as their cargo were. The port did not operate when it was rainy, so everything was quiet and inactive. A small group of dolfins followed us for a bit, the most exotic wildlife we have seen so far.

After the boat ride we went inside the Paranagua Bay Port Administration where we were treated to a video presentation on the history and development of the port. Here we learned that the port was the 2nd biggest in Brazil, and had the most capacity for grain. The port grossed over 14 billion and is predicting better years now that the recession is starting to weaken. By 2016 they hope to almost double there capacity with continued expansion of docks for unloading, which they can accomplish when they dredge the channel to make sure it is the proper depth, and then use that sand/soil material to build up land nearby the current port. After the presentation we were able to ask questions, and then took a bus tour behind the gates of the port. The bus was actually driving just feet from the water and underneath the huge cranes that place the containers on the ships. It was surprising we were able to be that close. We learned that a ship has 10 hours to unload/load, and then it is kicked off, has to wait for an opening to continue and is also penalized monetarily. However this has not happened in over 4 years, and keeps thing running efficient. Better rail lines from Paraguay or Argentina are being constructed, and with a more efficient means of getting grain to the port, they will greatly increase the amount they are able to ship.

On our way out of town we made a stop at a farmers market type store. They sold local goods and specialty juices. Nadial had us try "sugar cane juice." Upon ordering it the waiter ran sugar cane sticks into a machine, and out came a white juice. We all shared about two pitchers of this juice, and it was the sweetest drink I think I have ever tasted, very, very good.

Our dining stop for the evening are the famous chascarias, an all you can eat barbecue restaurent. It was a great meal, and the waiters came around so much you had to tell them to no most of the time because your plate was full.

Today we are touring a vet clinic and a Dairy Farm!

That is all for now.