A weekend in Santa Helena Part 1

There are lots of photos from our time in Santa Helena, so I thought I'd make this into two blog posts - Part 2 coming soon.

Right now we are in São Luis in northern, equatorial Brazil.

Last weekend we went  to Santa Helena,

five hours by ferry
(here Pat and I are pictured with Rafael, our interpreter and Miguel, our driver)

plus car from São Luis.

When we walked off the ferry we were offered crabs for sale (tied together in bunches so they don't walk away!)

and coconut water. We opted for the coconut water. Deliciously fresh straight from the shell.

 After the ferry ride we journeyed on past little settlements,

  

and homes

complete with electricity
 

and TV antennas, 

a school,

 a small country church

and places to buy snacks.

I think this guy might have been waiting a while. He doesn't have a lot to sell.
 

 

We were warmly welcomed in Santa Helena with lunch cooked by Francisco's mum. Thank you Maria for your gift to us of great food and friendship over the weekend.

Next blog post about our time with the church in Santa Helena.