29/02/2020 – Poco Azul, Lencois, Brasil

We treated ourselves to a lay in and a slower start because we were all still feeling exhausted after yesterdays adventure. We popped to the supermarket for some supplies and then to Joe and Hennas house for breakfast. We had some porridge and some coffee from the local area, and made the packed lunches. We were all still feeling dehydrated so it was dioralytes all round. We were met by our guide Felippe at 11:00 and drove for an hour and a half. The drive was very scenic, and we went from smooth straight roads to red clay tracks. Once we arrived at Poco Azul we bought our tickets and then ate our packed lunches (eggy rolls and crisps) before walking down to the river. By the river there were thousands and thousands of butterflies of different species, some of which looked like leaves until they were disturbed by us running through them, and then all the butterflies would swarm up around you, it was like being in a fairy tale. After this it was our turn to go into the pool, there had been a bit of a queue as only 12 people are allowed in the pool at a time. We had a shower to wash off any suncreams and products before being given our snorkels and life jackets. We walked down some steps into the cave where you have to be silent. The water was the most blue and clear that I have ever seen, and is apparently a natural pool made from rainwater that is filtered by the minerals in the rocks of the cave. We plunged into the water and then floated around, all trying to stifle the giggles from trying to keep quiet. Every so often one of us would give in as the air escaped from our nose and made a fart noise from our goggles. It was a surreal experience! I spotted a huge tarantula on the side of the cave not too far from the water we were swimming in. Josh used his underwater camera and got some great photos, and Felippe took some photos from above on Hennas iphone. The cave was 21m deep and we could easily see all the way down to the bottom. When our time was up about 30 minutes later we all felt relaxed and calm as if we had been in a spa. We showered, changed, and ate the rest of our packed lunches before getting in the car and falling asleep on the drive home. We went back to Joe and Hennas for coffee, snacks and card games. Then we wandered through town and popped into some shops before returning home and cooking coconut rice, vegetables and beans for dinner. We played some more games and prepared some egg mayo for lunches tomorrow. Joe bruised his knuckle after trying to break the egg ‘Josh style’ which was hilarious! Josh and I saw the Milky Way on our walk back to our hostel at bed time.