Travelled by bus today from the main bus station to Casimiro de Abreu.  The bus ride lasts 2 hours and costs about 40 reals.  Our final destination was Jungle Beach Nature Preserve, which is about 20 minutes from Casimiro.  The ride to the preserve is usually arranged by the owner, so we decided to do just that.  However, when our driver showed up he laughed at us.  We were a bit confused until we saw his vehicle.  It was the smallest car i had ever seen.  We thought there was no way we were all going to fit in the car with all our luggage.  But the driver was very motivated and jovial about getting us all in the car.  We were crammed in there crazy tight.  The driver just laughed the whole way there, which made for a very entertaining ride.

We heard about Jungle Beach through our hostel.  It belongs to the Atlantic Rain Forest.  Jungle Beach is owned and operated by a friendly American turned local named Anthony.  He is very passionate about the preservation of his backyard and all of the rain forests throughout the world. 

Dorm rooms at Jungle Beach run about 35 reals, meals are 20 reals a piece, and are all vegetarian.  I am a very picky eater, and even i enjoyed every meal that was prepared for us.

After the long journey, we only had time for a small hike to explore the nearby falls.

After a vegetarian breakfast, we set out for a short hike near the cabin.  We were directed to a site where slaves dug out a cave in order to escape detection.  Then in the cover of darkness they would escape with the aid of an ¨underground railroad.¨ Next a short hike took us to the top of the falls.  Joe, Byron, and Brett repelled down the face of the falls.

After lunch, vegetarian of course, we went on an unguided extended hike through the rainforest.  During our trek we came across some mule like animals that appeared docile enough.  That is until Byron tried to climb on one.  He was promptly bucked off and kicked in the arys for good measure.  At that exact moment i was preparing to mount my wild steed, and decided against it.  However, Joe, with his powers of persuasion got me to do it, and the result was a pretty priceless picture.

The hike ended at the highway, which we jogged back to the cabin.  After dinner, we shared stories with Anthony, whom which told us that the animal Byron attempted to mount was a banana horse.  Used by the ranchers to haul bananas out of the jungle.  After story time we went to bed fairly early.