Morretes and Antonina

This week's adventure took us took us east of Curitiba to two little towns near the coast. We boarded the historical Serra Verde Express train at the railway station - and our journey began - through 14 tunnels and across 30 bridges and into the Atlantic Rainforest. (BTW, the Atlantic Rainforest is even more endangered than the Amazon Rainforest!) This little jaunt takes over three hours to cover just 60 kms. Yes, it is a very slow train, but you do get free snacks, drinks, and a Portuguese speaking guide!

There are amazing vistas all along the way!

We arrived in Morretes just in time for lunch.

Morretes is famous for a traditional plate called barreado (ba-he-a-doo). It is a slow-cooked meat stew prepared in a clay pot whose lid is sealed with a sort of clay made from wheat or casava flour.

You eat it mixed with two big spoonfuls of mandioca flour, then rice and bananas on top.

The town is also very cute.

 Next it was on to Antonina. This little colonial town has a church that was built in the 18th century and a port on the Paranaguá Bay. 

I think Don's favorite stop was at the banana candy factory. This little hole-in-the-wall makes everything banana - candy, syrup, jelly, chips,

you name it. Certainly an important stop if you're down that way - and can find it!!!

(He had a candy in his mouth when I took the picture!!)

The trip home was by van and much quicker. Good thing, too. After ten hours of adventuring, we were hot and sticky and tired - but oh so glad we went!!