[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WZzE8W638a4/VLV1YHsbs6I/AAAAAAAAkpk/0QoBXQSpumY/s144-c-o/IMG_0933.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage22Brazil5SalvadorToRioDeJaneiro#6103913927213298594″ caption=”Camp on christmas eve at least under a pine tree…candles excluded.” type=”image” alt=”IMG_0933.JPG” ]

Highlights: Tried to forget today’s date…
Lowlights: It didn’t work…
Launch: Reef sheltered beach
Landing: Calm river beach
Pos: here
Loc: Rio Jequirica
Acc: tent
Dist: 43,5 km
Start: 4:45 End: 13:30

I could paddle for along while on sheltered reef water, and where there was no reef, the water was still calm that I could have landed everywhere. Finally, it really gets calmer in general! The reef entries were all properly marked with light houses, but there was no reason for me to go out. It is relaxing to watch the houses and coast passing so close by, although I had to*paddle* with no wind or current help.

Before I was crossing the large river mouth of Rio Jaguaripe, some tourist felt urged to sprint and to dive behind me in the shallows to warn me about the very shallow water in the river mouth, which was quite obvious to be seen by the many tiny breakers. Or he was asking maybe I don’t need such deep water? Yes, the shallows will be very much of a danger for me, as I may get stuck and shipwrecked like one big wreck I saw later…as I am actually paddling a sit – on – top – submarine…hehehe…

No problem for me to cross, after I left the shallow breakers behind me, I paddled on calm and well deep enough water to the other side of the river mouth, which had some lovely sand banks to paddle between. It would have been a great place to camp,but my goal for today was another smaller river mouth, which had very dark brown water pouring into the crystal clear sea. Regarding the waves in the entrance, all nothing compared to the big river mouths with heavy trashy breakers before Salvador. The sea is really calm here, and any waves are just wet fun. Thank goodness…

I am camped on the southern side of Rio Jequirica, where I found at least a pine tree for some shadow, matching today’s date. I am just fantasizing some candles on it…pine trees are actually new here on the landscape, after palm trees only. Some mangroves round the new picture. Good.

Last shopping I bought for myself some white chocolate truffles to celebrate the day, glad that with the pine tree shade they are relatively cool. Nothing compared to eat them out of the freezer though…but I take what I get. I called my family, felling a bit out of place to wish them a “Merry Christmas”. It simply does not happen this year for me… anyway…MERRY X-MAS TO ALL OF YOU!