Brazil

Bettyboarder · Mon Nov 10, 08 10:15 am

Oh man Jim....bummer about the finger...looks like a great place to kite...how are the crowds there?

Nice jump J Very Happy

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Crowds arent bad where we are staying. The most kites I have seen on the water in Jeri is maybe 10-15. Janet went to prea today, so she can comment on how busy it is over there. Downwinder tomorrow if my finger is in good enough shape, otherwise I will be driving and taking pictures :/

boarderchick · Since 10 Aug 2007 196 Posts Wherever there's wind:-) Stoked

Well, today was an adventure for sure. Instead of taking the truck to Prea, I went with two guys staying here who have rented a dune buggy. I should have known at that point that the day would be very very interesting.

So, here's the story, there's no shortness to it, sorry for that....

Nee, Matt and I all go in the buggy to Prea. On the way there Nee switches with Matt, and he is teaching Matt to drive the buggy appropriately. We show Matt where our downwinder will end and where to park. We then go ahead to our next 1/2 point of the downwinder to show him where he'll meet us and start driving the beach, and we get stuck. So, Nee and I pushed the buggy out. We then get to Prea. I kited for 2.5 hours and was wondering what the heck happened to Nee. Well, his 9 was way way too small, obviously since I was on my 9! Then, he comes in, and gets his 13 about 1 hour later. He actually has an '09 Rev and wanted to try the 9.

So, the 13 that is new, it's bridle broke all the way out in the ocean, not good. But, he was able to fly it back in. So, that was just after two tacks.... So, he just chilled on the beach.

Then, I came in at 2:45 as we were going to do the downwinder at 3pm.... So, we get everything ready, I'm on the 9, and Nee took our 11M as he just had his 9 now. So, Matt launches us, we go out, Nee does 2 tacks and all of a sudden the kite is in the water and it's inverted, it pops up, and then it's back in the water. I go to Nee, and he's like "Kite is off of me".... So, I was between him and the kite. I wanted to make sure that he got in safely, someone did tow him in. Then, I followed the kite and two guys came out of nowhere from Club Mistral and grabbed the kite, with the bar and Nee's harness. Yes, his harness came off. I made fun of him saying that his diaper came off and was floating down the ocean, and his shorts were down to his ankles. Poor Nee. What happened was that the chicken loop failed on him, it knocked his clip on his seat harness and ripped it off his body.... So, the kite was on the beach full of sand, etc... But all was OK....

Nee then gets a ride, they follow me down as I'm doing the downwinder all by myself in a place that was unfamiliar with a lot of rocks that are around! Not cool, but I did it:-) Yeah baby!

So, I stop at the 1/2 way point, (the rock) where Matt was to meet Nee and I, and where Nee and the ride where sitting. Matt was nowhere to be found. So, I had to take down my kite as they didn't want me doing a downwinder by myself, and especially since the ride was in need of going back to town. So, we take the person back to town, take the vehicle and look for Matt. We found Matt at the end of the downwinder spot, not good. So, I jump into the buggy, and then Nee drives the vehicle back to the village (the vehicle just so happened to belong to the place we are staying, they just so happened to be driving by to have lunch in Prea). So, I guess what happened after that is that the vehicle broke down on Nee about 30Meters from the village. So, they had to borrow a buggy and pile in to get back to the villa.

Now the vehicle has to be towed to Fortaleza which is a 4.5 hour drive from here! So, the one owner is now on his way to Fortaleza as the drive shaft died.

So, then I go with Nee to town to pick-up some pizza for Jim, and we broke down once. Then, on the way back, we couldn't get into reverse, then we broke down 4 times.... We figured out that when you put the lights on, it stops the vehicle. So, we then drove from town in the dark, not good, but we did it laughing the entire way because it was just one of those days.

Another day tomorrow! LOL!

Regarding the crowds.... Honestly, because it's been so light lately in Prea, today was not busy at all. The past two days there were about 50+ kites! Today, I counted about 15 on the water at one time. At one point I was on the water with just two other guys! I rescued two boards, so good Karma as we got the kite back:-) The places in Prea are actually amazing, they watch you and will come out and rescue you. They came out of nowhere to tow Nee and then out of nowhere to get the kite. These guys are so dag on fast it is unbelieveable! They are absolutely amazing. A woman came up to me today and told me not to worry about being by myself kiting as they will watch me as Jim wasn't there, but they watch everyone. So, I kited by myself today!

The downwinder I did was absolutely amazing, the waves were great, just a nice kiting day!

Now, in the "lagoon" area, which is not a lagoon, it's the only place in Jeri that you can kite, the damn windsurfers come down and they do not give two shits about kiters! Not trying to put them down, but damn when they come straight at you and you can only go upwind so far and you can't go downwind of them, it's frustrating. There in that area can get very crowded, but if you go way downwind, you are better off, less crowded, but it's very far downwind. There are lots of beginners there, as that is the only place kiters can be in Jeri, think I mentioned this before in another post. And the windsurfers come down, into the only place the kiters can kite in Jeri..... UGH! Anyhow, there is great wind there, so it's a good place if you don't want to pay $10.00USD everyday to go to Prea!

So, Prea, has like two pseudos (mispelled), and they have a couple restaurants, so not much there, but that is the place to kite! Lots of beginners there, so you need to definitely pay attention to where you are kiting and who is kiting around you, I had to do a lot of maneuvering around. But the rescues are amazing, I cannot stress that enough. There are no boats or skis, it's just the "beach boys" jumping on their kites and boards and doing rescues! Also, there are many different places to kite, but if you want to stay in view of the "beach boys" you don't go to far downwind or upwind.

So, time to chill and then get ready for another adventure tomorrow.... Hopefully, after tomorrow Jimbo will be back on the water:-)

Well, that was the interesting adventure for today!
Janet

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Wow, that sounds like an action packed day. Glad it all turned out fine. Reminds me of us blowing two tires on our rental car in the Baja desert at high noon with over 20 miles each way to paved road.

Jim, heal up quick. Salt water can be good for deep cuts right? Wink

boarderchick · Since 10 Aug 2007 196 Posts Wherever there's wind:-) Stoked

Salt water is good for cuts, however it's the sand that will screw you as it blows all the time here! So, Brian (ER Doctor) gave Jim the go ahead to take the bandage off. He will be off the water one more day, but we are going to Prea today again, and hopefully have an amazing day and downwinder. Jim might be taking pictures today and chillin on the beach. But, it's good that he takes the time to heal...

So, we are getting ready to go for kiting.... We'll post later on today:-)

Have a great day and thanks for all the "Get Wells"! Much appreciated!

Janet (boarderchick)

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Clean salt water is good for cuts. Sometimes the ocean might have more bacteria and other stuff that makes it worse overall.

Hope you guys a having a better time today. Cool

boarderchick · Since 10 Aug 2007 196 Posts Wherever there's wind:-) Stoked

Sorry, no update yesterday, here's the update from two days ago! No pictures eventhough I asked one of the woman to please take some pictures since Jim and I were both on the water. There was one of my kite, and then one of me landing my kite, but nothing of Jim and I or Jim, so nothing to show for that day.... I think we might have a hammock picture on the lake.

Anyhow, here's the story, it's a long read:

So, we had another HUGE adventure two days ago! It is going to take a bit to explain, and I'm waiting for my eggs. So, I'll explain what I can:-) About 8 of the guests from the place we are staying, plus the family (owners, female owners mom and their kids), their babysitter and then 2 friends of the guests from here all went.

We had to rent two additional buggies with guides for the other guests and then the guests with their friends. So, we had 4 buggies and then 10 people doing the downwinder, plus the 1 male owner. It was cool to see all of our kites up in the air.... So, when we started out in Nees buggy (he is a guest who rented a buggy and we've just had some disasters), and well, not even a 1/2 mile out, the buggy kicked out of gear, and we had to push the buggy. So, we get to where we are going and set everything up, and apparently, only two people brought pumps, Jim and I and one of the guests.

All kites pumped up, we are all out on the water and starting the downwinder (yes, Jimbo went), things were going really well, then there was a girl who was getting laufted.... Later I found out her right binding came really loose and her foot fell out and the board came off her feet. So, anyway she had the hardest time to get her board, so I stayed with her, and then her hubby came over got her board closer to her and she was finally able to get back on the board and she just took off. This was a couple (Henry and Nan) from Hood River.

Jim took the rear of the downwinder as usual just in case anyone needed assistance, and then I was close to him, except when he was really far back on the surfboard he borrowed from the owner here. So, I'd go back upwind to make sure things were OK.... There were a couple other times I'd make sure people were OK, and then we'd keep going. It was the most amazing downwinder, Holy Crap. It was 25KM, but did not feel like it, the waves were HUGE and just amazing. YIKES, it was VERY EXPENSIVE for a downwinder.

Anyhow, we all end the downwinder at these huts, I was surprised as I thought we were going to the end. Anyhow, we had to hurry up, pack-up and get in the buggies as we were getting ready to go to the fresh water lake for more kiting.

Well, we get there and there's a restaurant that the owner was raving about, and of course with my food allergies, Jim and I needed to order separately. The menus was this food they put on a plate (two huge fish, 5 lobster tails, and a plate full of shrimp), so you choose what you would like off of the plates. So, everyone else ordered, and then we ordered and then also we got french fries (we asked if they had them noone else did:-)). We had three passion fruit drinks and Jim had the locals drink! Chapinara (MSP) with alcohol. We could have gone without eating, just had our powerbars and then gone kiting on the lake. But, we didn't want to be rude, so we ate, and then Jim and I ran to get our kiting stuff as I asked the female owner (Patricia) if there was time to kite and all and she said noone was in any hurry and kite away. Well, we were all rigged up and ready to go and Nee comes over and tells us everyone is ready to go... I'm like what the heck we get to this lake and noone is going to kite, well we are kiting as Patricia said we could and we'll just do a very quick session like two tacks....

So, I launch, go to power up my kite, and then all of a sudden I somehow accidentially hit my safety release for the kite from my chicken loop, not sure how since that red button is always on my left and my power/depower cord is always on my right. So I had to sit there in 6M wind getting my kite put back together. I did, launched, and then did a few jumps and then came in, Jim did some jumps and then he also came in...

Then, we hurry up, get our things packed-up, and I ran over to pay it was extremely expensive. Anyway, after that initial shock, everyone was standing around talking, and I'm like are we leaving we were told everyone was waiting for us.... Then, they were all like, talking and then they they say "Oh, sorry we got to talking", so they get ready to go... Well, our buggy you cannot use the lights and that was a concern, but one of the guests was like it's a full moon don't worry about it you can see. What they didn't understand is that the full moon doesn't really help you see all the shit in the sand and when you are driving, most of the time you cannot see out the windshield, so I kept saying we cannot rely on that especially through the mangrove tree forest.

So, this is the interesting part.... We are driving back and our buggy literally stopped itself about 9 times. We were going through a foresty area with tree limbs and stumps everywhere. Right in the middle, the battery died because the alternator was not charging it... So, we were trying to explain to the Portugese only speaking guides how to exchange the batteries from the car after trying to jump the car 3 times (by pushing it). The other two buggies went ahead of us, and the one had the family from here in it who all spoke Portugese.

So, after 10 minutes the male owner (Marcio) came back and instead of exchanging the batteries, we once again pushed the buggy and got it started. Now, the trick again was not to stop the buggy, but it kept falling out of gear and just dieing on us. It had done it about 3 times before that time where the buggy just gave out. Anyway, we have to get the buggy on a "boat" to get across the river, interesting with no lights at all, and once again someone said "it's a full moon, no worries"! UGH, they don't understand that even with the dag on full moon you still can't completely see, someone gave us a headlamp so Nee could utilize it, and with the little headlight we had, we were in need of going full speed off the boat from across the river up the wet sand so we didn't die in the wet sand. Jim then had to run after us, since he was still standing on the boat taking pictures...

After we did that we needed people to stay slow in front of us to see things in the road. So, on the way back it died another 6 times, and the last time it damn all died, it had not only died but had a flat tire. So, the tire needed to be changed, and there was a donut on the back of the buggy, and then we were able to push it to get it started and then get back to the place. What an adventure for sure:-)!

Now, we get back and have dessert as the cook had made a great dessert for all of us. Then people were discussing that we should all pitch-in for the buggies and guides and the gas. We had already told Nee we'd pay the 50 for his gas before the trip as that was fair and I was going to give him money for the rental of the buggy, but he didn't know how much the buggy was. That was our agreement for our buggy!

Well, that wasn't going to work. Apparently, we all need to pitch in for the other buggies and guides and the gas for all four vehicles! Long story short, EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE.

The frustrating thing is that everything is costing so much money here and not being told ahead of time, and the fact that we didn't need the extra buggies, the others did, and we had already agreed with Nee on the gas and anything else he needed, is just frustrating you know, especially when money is really tight. So, that was our adventure two days ago.

$$$$$$$$$$ here in Brazil. Oh, and I found out that the Blue Mosquito which was $300USD a night is now $80USD a night, guess all the bad reviews made it so they lowered their prices. Then again, anyone you ask around here, the prices changes, the saying is "It's Brazil"! Oh, and everytime someone sets something up for you, they get a 10% commission, and if a travel company books your hotel/psduda, they take a 36% commission from the places here. Everything is so money driven, just like anywhere.

OK, that's my rant for now. Just be prepared for spending a great deal of money, especially if you do not speak portugese and you do not stay here for awhile and get to know the locals....

I'll send another update again when we have a chance. Tell you about Prea to Jeri, and then Thursday.

Today we are to meet a guy in town from Europe, who has been here for awhile and can get a buggy to do a downwinder with a driver and four people and lunch for R40 and it's a 36KM downwinder! We shall see:-)

Nak · Wed Nov 19, 08 11:47 pm

Pics! Updates! Very Happy

How's the thumb doing Jim?

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Finger is doing ok. We are just leaving for the hotel in Miami. I will post more pics and a final update probably this weekend Smile

Overall it was a great trip with wind every day.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Seriously tweaked raley in about 30 knots.

Just downloading pictures now. Will post more this weekend.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Going to add more pics as I go through them. I sure do miss the warm weather Cool

Janet on the back of the buggy after our downwinder. This is the one without lights.

What size kite should I rig?

Friends don't let friends wear these bathing suits.

Relaxing after a downwinder.

Kiting in Prea

Janet blasting through some chop.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

That looks so nice.
Nic pix dude.

forrest · Mon Nov 24, 08 1:38 pm

Janet looks less than thrilled in that buggy ride picture. Sad

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

looks niiiiiiice!

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

the best pix last!

Nak · Mon Nov 24, 08 11:25 pm

Very nice!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Crazy Frog - fun shots