Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil
The Atlantic Rainforest was a unique biological association in the eastern half of Brazil. Being at hand, it was one of the first parts of the country that was deforested and dedicated to agriculture. With the great efforts of the world communities to save the different biological zones of the world, young Brazilians have made great efforts to save some of their countries’ forests. Today we visited the UNA Ecopark, where a good sized area of secondary and primary Atlantic rainforest has been saved. Bordering these two areas are rubber tree plantations, as well as small fazendas, where we could see many of the more typical fruit trees and edible plants always found near human habitations. We walked a mile-long trail through the forest, enjoying the flora of a well-conserved jungle, and seeing it from a high vantage point, as there are hanging pathways crossing a deeper ravine.
Our lunch was typically Brazilian (with beans and rice, and fried cassava), and we had a nice dip in the warm waters of the tropical Atlantic.The alternate option for the day started with a short city tour, a quiet Sunday morning in the small, colonial port of Ilheus. We then drove out to a cacao plantation or fazenda to learn of the processes involved in growing and preparing the raw material for chocolate. Before lunch at the fazenda we watched an energetic demonstration of the famous dance, the Lambada. The local group of very fit dancers whirled and lifted each other to the electric rhythm. Exhausted, we visited a recovery center for the local, now seriously endangered, Maned Sloth. Vera, the director of the refuge, greeted us cuddling one of her charges. To many “ahhs” our cameras captured the two charming faces, clearly in mutual adoration. We learned of the plight of these creatures and the work being done to keep them from extinction.
The Atlantic Rainforest was a unique biological association in the eastern half of Brazil. Being at hand, it was one of the first parts of the country that was deforested and dedicated to agriculture. With the great efforts of the world communities to save the different biological zones of the world, young Brazilians have made great efforts to save some of their countries’ forests. Today we visited the UNA Ecopark, where a good sized area of secondary and primary Atlantic rainforest has been saved. Bordering these two areas are rubber tree plantations, as well as small fazendas, where we could see many of the more typical fruit trees and edible plants always found near human habitations. We walked a mile-long trail through the forest, enjoying the flora of a well-conserved jungle, and seeing it from a high vantage point, as there are hanging pathways crossing a deeper ravine.
Our lunch was typically Brazilian (with beans and rice, and fried cassava), and we had a nice dip in the warm waters of the tropical Atlantic.The alternate option for the day started with a short city tour, a quiet Sunday morning in the small, colonial port of Ilheus. We then drove out to a cacao plantation or fazenda to learn of the processes involved in growing and preparing the raw material for chocolate. Before lunch at the fazenda we watched an energetic demonstration of the famous dance, the Lambada. The local group of very fit dancers whirled and lifted each other to the electric rhythm. Exhausted, we visited a recovery center for the local, now seriously endangered, Maned Sloth. Vera, the director of the refuge, greeted us cuddling one of her charges. To many “ahhs” our cameras captured the two charming faces, clearly in mutual adoration. We learned of the plight of these creatures and the work being done to keep them from extinction.
