Chasing the Sun

 

I begin this post on my last day in Buzios after enjoying several days over two weekends with dear friends Vanessa, Maria, and Caroline - and their partners Marcel, Maurizio and Ricardo respectively - from São Paulo. We met years ago during my Reed Exhibitions tenure.  Despite the time and distance, we reconnect any chance we get and pick up right where we left off.  I'm grateful for their friendship and their efforts to meet me in Buzios.  It's not a simple nor short trip.  Delicious meals, great conversation (including many humorous stints of Portu-Ingles) and a lot of laughs.  And yes, a few cervejas and caipirinhas.  

In addition to exploring the neighborhood beaches by foot, we booked private boats to get out into the open ocean and see more of the peninsula and small islands.  Two days, two different journeys, both on days that began with questionable forecasts.   

When I vacation at Keuka Lake (see first blog post), I typically rent a boat for one or two days.  Rental boats are in high demand with low supply.  Unless Mother Nature renders your day a complete washout, you're on the water regardless the weather.  Anytime I've rented on a cloudy day, we call it a "chasing the sun" day because that's what we do:  chart our course based on the sunniest spots on the water throughout the day.

I shared this story with my friends and that we would likely also be chasing the sun.  Remember, it's Fall here in Brasil so a windy boat ride with cloudy skies and temps in the high 60s, low 70s is usually jacket, not bikini, weather. 

We put our captains to task and successfully chased the sun:  anchoring at small beaches and cliff sides in the bay for a swim, exploring islands off the coast, and enjoying the thrill of the wavy, open ocean with temps much warmer than predicted.

Together we had five glorious days at Buzios' many beaches and waterfront restaurants, making new memories and preparing for more celebrations together later this year.  

What am I taking from my two weeks in Buzios?  A more focused, repeatable daily health and fitness formula. Greater appreciation and desire for activities that hit the sweet spot between soothing and stimulating.  And regardless what I'm chasing, a strong preference to take up the chase with friends rather than solo.  

And most importantly, there's a chase.  Rooted in curiosity, not easily satiated; when the journey is as rewarding as reaching the destination.  

Thus my advice to you all:  chase something you love, something you're eager to learn about, something that soothes your restless soul.  Alone or with friends, take up the chase.

Buzios, you are as beautiful as I remembered and as therapeutic as I needed.  To my Brazilian friends, you make leaving so much tougher.  I will see you again later this year.  

Enjoy a few pics and videos from our days chasing the sun.

Cruising the coast line, braving the open waters, and lunch on the beach with Vanessa, Marcel, Maria and Maurizio

Swimming at Ilha Feia and dinner with Carol and Ricardo

Five beaches in six hours:  Sunday with Carol and Ricardo

Praia Forno - lagoon about 1/2 mile in from the open Atlantic with red sand, popular with sea turtles

Praia da Foca (Seal Beach) - close to the Atlantic coast.  Two small slivers of beach, tons of weathered rock outcroppings to hike, but as you'll see the seas were raging so rough surf and no swimming. Carol lost her dry seat while Ricardo braved the rock cliffs!

Praias Amores (Lovers Beach) and Ferrudinha.  On calmer days you can swim across the lagoon or relax in the still water pools, but the current was too rough for swimming.

Last but not least, Praia Ossos (Bones Beach), around the block from our apartments and the first beach we visited 5 years ago.

What's left to say?  If you're looking for a slice of Brazilian heaven that's safe, affordable, foreigner and pedestrian friendly, Buzios gets my vote every time.  Boa saúde!