 Brazil and an expedition to the unspoiled and remote Lagamar estuary,
part of the World Biosphere Reserve of Atlantic Rainforest. From here
continue by road to Florianopolis, an island with gorgeous beaches and
nature that offers many opportunities for outdoor activities and experiences
with the local community.
Day 1: Arrival in Foz do Iguaçu and private
transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free. D, D.
Day 3: Morning visit the Brazilian side of the
Falls. Private transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Curitiba
(*flight not included). Arrival at Curitiba airport. Transfer to a tourist
class hotel. Rest of the day free to explore this pleasant city. B.
Days 4 - 7: Rainforest Expedition to Lagamar Estuary.
Day 4:.
Disembark in Morretes, a small colonial town enroute, where you will have
lunch. Continue by car to Paranaguá and by private fast boat to
the SEBUI RPPN, a private nature reserve, for a 3-night stay at a jungle
lodge. The area of 400 ha is part of the Environmental protection area
of Guaraqueçaba and is located in an estuary behind the Superagui
National Park. The reserve contains almost 70% of primary Atlantic forest,
plus areas of secondary rainforest and mangroves. B,L,D
Days 5 and 6: Choice of activities in and around the lodge.
B, L, D "caiçara" way in the nearby
estuary
* Night trip to a platform built in the forest for wildlife observation
(pumas have been heard many times in these nocturnal trips - spotting
them is, however, very difficult).
Please note that transport and activities in this region
are totally dependent on tides, so itinerary might be modified accordingly.
Day 7: morning return by fast boat to Paranaguá
(1h 30 min), and then continue by road to Florianopolis (5- 6 hours drive),
arriving mid-afternoon. B, D.
On arrival, transfer to Sítio dos Tucanos guesthouse in Costa de
Dentro for a 4-night stay. Rest of the day free.
Sítio dos Tucanos is a friendly guesthouse located
on the hillside in Costa de Dentro, South of Santa Catarina Island, only
2km inland from beautiful Açores beach. Surrounded by 13 hectares
of Atlantic Rainforest, its rustic accommodation suits those that look
for a relaxing place in close contact with nature. Bird lovers will be
delighted with the more than 70 species found in its immediate surroundings,
including the only two species of toucans found in South Brazil. Excellent
home cooked meals are served in the evenings.
Day 8: Day at Pantano do Sul beach for activities
run by the local community. B,L,D
Examples of activities:
* Fisherman's Life- Take part in an authentic traditional
fishing. Fishermen from the community of Pântano do Sul will introduce
you to the "trap fishing", the removal of a fishing net, as
well as collecting and classifying the fishes inside of a "baleeira".
* Surf Lesson - Surfing is a big part of the Island's
life and the beach of Açores offers good conditions for learning
for absolute beginners. The surf schools are a major part of the NGO Ilhas
do Brasil's project to involve the local youth in the preservation of
the environment and create sustainable economical development in the area.
* Snorkeling in Pantano do Sul - Accompanied by a local
monitor you will go snorkeling around the rocky shores of Pantano do Sul.
Access to the best points will be on a fishing boat or through a walking
trail of 20-30'.
Please note that all community activities are dependent
on weather and the availability of local guides. Other activities (cooking
classes or light trekking) might be offered as replacement.
Day 9: Day free for enjoying the beach or bird
watching around the guesthouse. B, D
Day 10: Naufragados Beach and Oyster farms of Ribeirão
da Ilha
Morning trek to Naufragados, one of the most unspoiled beaches on the
island.
Return by boat to visit an oyster farm at the entrance of the South Bay.
From April to October we may also visit the Cardos island. This little
bay island has one of the largest concentrations of migrant Cayenne terns
in South America that come here to nest.
Florianópolis in recent years became the centre
for oyster production in Brazil. The old Azorean fishing village of Ribeirão
da Ilha is one of the main areas for oyster farming on the Island. On
this trip accompanied by a local producer, we will follow all the stages
of the production then taste the local produce accompanied by the most
Brazilian of drinks, the caipirinha.
Return to the Pousada for a farewell dinner. B, S, D
Day 11: Transfer to airport or bus station.
Fixed departure price for small groups (minimum
of 2, maximum of 10) for US$3110 single or US$2842 double occupancy.
Next guaranteed departure: 18th to 28th April 2011
Can set other dates for groups of 6-10 for same prices. Can also quote
for smaller groups.
Price Includes:
" 10 nights accommodation in double or twin basis*. Single supplement
for clients wanting to have their own room will apply. Accommodation at
the jungle lodge is basic and facilities are shared.
" All internal road transport as described;
" Meals as described on the text: B=Breakfast, S=Snack, L=Lunch and
D= Dinner;
" Entrance fees to National Parks in Iguazu;
" Tours in Iguazu and Florianopolis;
" All activities described in the Lagamar and Florianopolis area;
" English-speaking tour leader throughout;
" Local guides on tours and activities;
Price does not include:
" International flights and domestic flights;
" Travel Insurance
" Meals not mentioned;
" Drinks;
" TipsYears ago, I bought an "electric typewriter" that used ribbon cartridges that could just be snapped in and out.  But OF COURSE, they stopped making the cartridges, by the looks of it, and I knew that as soon as the one in it ran out, it was game over.  I think I still have it here somewhere -- but at the moment, it's just a large piece of junk.

When I was looking at keyboards to use for Plover, I was shocked to learn that some gamers WANT the **clickety-clack** sound!  I guess when I used to have to report in situations where hearing was not optimal, the idea of having a machine that made noise horrifies me.

I once took a machine shorthand test with someone who apparently had not oiled or maintained her stenotype EVER.  At the end of the test, I sniped "When was the last time you **oiled** that thing?   It sounds like a typewriter!"  And the instructor cracked, "Subtle...."!Tomboy Alex Bonham has fought her male peers tooth and nail to prove herself worthy to become captain of the king’s guard. When her country is invaded by Danes, she is ordered to take the king’s younger son, a charming but irresponsible rake, away from the front lines for safekeeping.
Alex walks a difficult line, trying to balance her growing attraction to Prince Holden with her dedication to duty and her responsibility to keep him safe from robbers, Danes...and even himself. But when they are drawn into the struggle to defend East Anglia from occupation, both the prince and his captain must grow. Can spoiled Prince Holden evolve into a good man who could lead the kingdom--one Alex can trust with her heart?
As an only child (a “lonely only,”) I found reading to be the ultimate escape into a better place. From there it was only a short step to writing. Creating a better world, where the possibilities that don’t come to you in real life can be explored and experienced, is the ultimate compensation for the deficiencies of real life.
I had a vivid imagination and received positive feedback from adults for my first story, a science fiction story in which kudzu vines turned out to be an extraterrestrial menace that devoured an innocent farmer.
Not long after, I attended a youth camp where I made a friend who was also a writer.  I used an old battered manual typewriter to turn out ream after ream of adolescent stories which thankfully are now lost to the mists of time!
As an adult, I realized it was finally time to make my dream of becoming a published author happen. I felt there would be far more point in writing stories to share than keeping them to myself and showing them only to a friend or two.
Being published isn’t as easy as I thought it would be, so I can’t paint you a softly-lit Maxfield Parrish-style picture of flowery fields blowing in the breeze while I lie on a divan in the shade nibbling raspberries and murmuring lazy thanks to everyone who wants to gush about me being a Published Author.