Hooked On A Feeling

A few weekends ago we spent two days in Ubatuba with friends. That is such a fun word to say. Uba-tuba, Uba-tuba. Pronounce it like a drum beat and you will know what I am talking about. It is kind of like the beginning of the song "Hooked on a Feeling," hence the title of the blog. Come on sing it with me... "I-I-I-I-I I'm hooked on a feeling...!" Have no idea the rest of the song lyrics. But it doesn't matter. Ubatuba is fun and relaxing. The drive to get there is not, however.

Let me give you a geography lesson. The southern coast of Brazil is beach then mountain. Sao Paulo is actually located in the mountainous region so it is chillier than at the beach, usually. To get to the beach you have to follow the bear - go over the mountain to see what you can see. Well here is the road to get over the mountain. (I am sure the bear took a straighter route.)

Look ma, it's my lower intestines! Now try driving that back to Sao Paulo in torrential rain, hail, and lightning. Not so relaxing is it? but when you get over that "little hill", this is what you see...

That is the view from our hotel. And yes there are mountains behind these in the picture. Now can you say tranquility? We had such a great time with friends. The first night it rained buckets. Which are easier to avoid than giant rain drops that soak you in seconds. We headed up this staircase which I am ticked I did not get a picture of. It was cement or maybe big wooden blocks, my memory is not so good at the moment. But it was so steep you had to literally climb up them. Oh and no railing. If you fell? You dropped 10 feet to trees and bushes and a broken leg. We had to traverse it in pouring rain with the children. But, goodness, we had a blast.

The next day was so beautiful and clear. You know? We did not get one picture of the kids up close. Bad parents we are. But here they are on the beach just after sunrise.

Oh, and here is the sun at 7 am.  Another geography lesson, there is nothing in front of Ubatuba until you hit Africa. Totally cool! 

You know? Ricardo and I are extremely lucky. We have seen the sunrise on the coast of Brazil. And years ago we were able to see it set almost half way around the world in Maui. We count our blessings everyday.