Sierra Do Mar Train—Through the Atlantic Forest, Curitiba—Paradaguá
After an early breakfast we were speeding along a fine multi lane road from the Port of Paranaguá to the Paraná State Capital, Curitiba. We had seen in Rio and Paraty how the Coastal Range—The “Sierra Do Mar”—comes down to the Atlantic; now we were climbing into the range, it would soon be under our feet.
Paraná is one of the 4 rich southern States of Brazil—the others are São Paulo, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Paraná grows and exports Paranaguá Grain in great quantities—mostly soya bean to Europe. Curitiba is proud of its reputation as an eco-friendly city. Its number of parks has hugely increased in recent years and the city has planted more than 1 million trees lately. The unusual city bus transport system, where fares are paid at a machine at the clear glass tube stop before boarding, has been exported to New York and possibly to San Francisco soon.
The Araucaria Pine was highly visible even within the city. A variant of this native tree, called monkey puzzle tree by many, is used as source material for the States big Paper Industry. The big feature of our morning was the Curitiba-Paranaguá Rail Train. At Curitiba, we boarded a single stainless steel train car with onboard service. The line was opened to connect the Port to the hinterland in 1885—before cars and roads were an option.
The key words were “descent” and “magnificent mountain scenery”; there were often dizzying drops on both sides as we threaded our way through the thickly forested, steep sided, sun drenched, green mountains. We made our way through four tunnels and over some very high viaducts where fine waterfalls were photographed. This is the state with Iguassu Falls at its western limit—could this impressive escarpment be as wonderful?
We climbed from sea level to 2952ft (900m) in Curitiba, Brazils highest city. Curitiba also has the distinction of being the country’s safest, as well as the coldest. (However, as we found out today, spring and summer are hot!) The rail line climbed to 3410ft (1040m) quickly before we began our lovely descent.
We disembarked at 11.30am at the attractive town of Morretes, which lies near sea level. Since today was a Sunday, the colonial style square and streets were crowded. We enjoyed a tasty lunch at a fine restaurant overlooking the clear waters of a slow flowing river, with just 1 small boat in sight—maybe we had found a new Venice surrounded by the Atlantic Forest.
This was “blonde blue eyed Brazil,” as Paraná State has an influential former immigrant population; Polish, German, and Ukrainian immigrants, and their now fully Brazilian descendants show proudly how well completely diverse cultures have successfully integrated in Brazil. At 2.15pm we left Morretes, arriving 20 minutes later in the old square of Paranaguá. Most visited the Anthropological Museum—others raided the nearby market. We were happy, wiser and ready to relax when we reboarded Endeavour at 4.20pm.
After an early breakfast we were speeding along a fine multi lane road from the Port of Paranaguá to the Paraná State Capital, Curitiba. We had seen in Rio and Paraty how the Coastal Range—The “Sierra Do Mar”—comes down to the Atlantic; now we were climbing into the range, it would soon be under our feet.
Paraná is one of the 4 rich southern States of Brazil—the others are São Paulo, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Paraná grows and exports Paranaguá Grain in great quantities—mostly soya bean to Europe. Curitiba is proud of its reputation as an eco-friendly city. Its number of parks has hugely increased in recent years and the city has planted more than 1 million trees lately. The unusual city bus transport system, where fares are paid at a machine at the clear glass tube stop before boarding, has been exported to New York and possibly to San Francisco soon.
The Araucaria Pine was highly visible even within the city. A variant of this native tree, called monkey puzzle tree by many, is used as source material for the States big Paper Industry. The big feature of our morning was the Curitiba-Paranaguá Rail Train. At Curitiba, we boarded a single stainless steel train car with onboard service. The line was opened to connect the Port to the hinterland in 1885—before cars and roads were an option.
The key words were “descent” and “magnificent mountain scenery”; there were often dizzying drops on both sides as we threaded our way through the thickly forested, steep sided, sun drenched, green mountains. We made our way through four tunnels and over some very high viaducts where fine waterfalls were photographed. This is the state with Iguassu Falls at its western limit—could this impressive escarpment be as wonderful?
We climbed from sea level to 2952ft (900m) in Curitiba, Brazils highest city. Curitiba also has the distinction of being the country’s safest, as well as the coldest. (However, as we found out today, spring and summer are hot!) The rail line climbed to 3410ft (1040m) quickly before we began our lovely descent.
We disembarked at 11.30am at the attractive town of Morretes, which lies near sea level. Since today was a Sunday, the colonial style square and streets were crowded. We enjoyed a tasty lunch at a fine restaurant overlooking the clear waters of a slow flowing river, with just 1 small boat in sight—maybe we had found a new Venice surrounded by the Atlantic Forest.
This was “blonde blue eyed Brazil,” as Paraná State has an influential former immigrant population; Polish, German, and Ukrainian immigrants, and their now fully Brazilian descendants show proudly how well completely diverse cultures have successfully integrated in Brazil. At 2.15pm we left Morretes, arriving 20 minutes later in the old square of Paranaguá. Most visited the Anthropological Museum—others raided the nearby market. We were happy, wiser and ready to relax when we reboarded Endeavour at 4.20pm.
