beyond the coast and white sand beaches

Like all great moments-you start before dawn. You meet up with your guide, Marcio, and a handful of travelers who all have stories tucked into their pockets. It is obvious this will be a family for the next few days of trekking through Brazil’s national park, Chapada Diamantina (Plate of Diamonds). It is home to the most sparkling waterfalls and mysterious caves in the country and is bigger than many European countries. This is the next grand adventure, your backpack and legs have been anxious for. The beginning of the trail in the Pati Valley, it is not well marked but Marcio knows it instinctively and leads the group upwards to a horizon just out of sight. On the ascent, you learn the names and details of the other trekkers. Javier, from Chile, just finished Patagonia-- but assures you the Colorado trail is on the top of his list too. Marissa, is from London and is experiencing their first solo trip and is not sure about returning work on Monday week after next- maybe it’s not worth it ya know? Nick, an experienced kayaker, is just here in the off season from leading tours of the Alaskan Kenai Fjords. Hours and many story swaps later you sit down with your back to a waterfall so tall you are not sure if you can see the beginning. Someone pulls out a single Dado, pops the top, and passes it around. Somehow it is still cold and everyone takes a swig with a smile. There is only earth sounds and everyone’s lungs catching up to the rest of them.

Marcio is already rummaging around in his backpack, going on about the next great view awaiting the group up just around that corner.  You are the last to leave, you turn your back reluctantly, slowly and keep hiking-there is so much more to discover.