Underwater adventures with an underwater camera

My sister visited a couple of weeks ago and brought with her a waterproof pouch for her little Cannon point and shoot camera.  It was only about $20 on Amazon and it was awesome!

She doesn’t have that many snorkeling spots near her in Virginia, so she left the pouch with me and we have already enjoyed it a lot!  I only wish we had it on our trip to Fernando de Noronha, where we swam with turtles (sigh!).

We love snorkeling as a family and appreciating nature in this underwater world.  Back in the States we loved to hike and here we have to look for nature in other places – like in the sea.  My five year old daughter is a great swimmer but we find she enjoys snorkeling more with the life jacket on so she doesn’t have to work so hard swimming and can focus on finding fish!

My five year old loves to snorkel!

Fun stripy fish and a beautiful blue one in Porto de Galinhas

Reef - they are not all coral here!

Big yellow stripy fish

A school of hiding fish in Porto de Galinhas.

My friend heading out to the reefs in Porto de Galinhas.

My friend on her recent visit to Brazil - hadn't been snorkeling in 15 years....like since she was 8 years old.

My family snorkeling in Japaratinga. Can you see Super Baby's feet dangling in the water next to me? He hasn't geared up (yet!) but he can say "fish" in Portuguese!

Fish eating bread!

The coral reef in Japaratinga.

A visit to Nannai near Porto de Galinhas, Brazil

One of the views from Nannai, with the crashing waves coming up over the reef.

We had the opportunity to spend Memorial Day weekend at a nearby resort, Nannai.  It is located near Porto de Gahlinas and is simply luxurious. During the winter here (still 85 degrees daily), they offer diplomats a special rate…..lest we would never afford to come on our own, unless there was a very special occasion.

We enjoyed swimming in one of the many pools, eating lunch by the beach, napping on a swinging bed, and especially enjoyed the marine life that is nearby and very present.

We also got to meet Jack Johnson and his family, as well as being serenaded by G. Love from his balcony to ours.

Coconut trees at Nannai.

One of the reasons this part of Brazil is so special is that the reefs offer a close-up view of fish and other marine life.

We get up EARLY! This is a view at sunrise.

Out at dawn to "wake" the animals.

Sunrise at Nannai.

Checking for shells and other awake things.

Oh yeah, love these little footprints.

Patterns in the sand.

One of the many pools at Nannai.

Swinging bed overlooking the sea - a favorite of our family!

Super Baby especially loved the swinging bed; he napped there for many hours over the course of the weekend!

Ocean kayaking at Nannai.

Super Baby loved the hammock!

If you stay in one of the huts, you can literally swim all through the resort. (We stayed in the hotel part.)

We met Jack Johnson in Brazil!

My daughter, me, and Jack Johnson

Once or twice a year, a very fancy resort near Recife invites diplomats to stay with them at a special “diplomatic” rate.  It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the northeast of Brazil that I have been to.  (Click here to see Nannai.)

This weekend, we spent a few days relaxing and enjoying the views.  And, amidst the swimming pool, we spotted a couple of American boys playing in the pool near our chairs and we moved in their direction.  It is, afterall, pretty rare to meet Americans here in the northeast, and it is usually fun to play with new kids on vacation.

The younger of the two boys was learning to swim and had gotten a little water-logged, so I moved in his direction to help to the edge.  As his dad approached, he thanked me and helped the boy out of the water.

As I answered him, I asked where he was from….he replied “We live in Hawaii.”  ”Oh?  How did you find out about Nannai?” I inquired.   “We were here on a music tour last night.”  Pause. I lower my sunglasses…”Jack Johnson?”  I say.  He smiled and said, “Yep, that’s me.”  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We chatted a bit and I told him about a nearby beach that is known for surfing. Then I met his beautiful wife and their darling daughter.  We hung out in the pool for a while and shared our toss toys.  It was very nice. They seem to be very down to earth.

Later that afternoon, we were back in our hotel room with our kids asleep and the rain coming down in buckets. My husband and I went outside to the balcony…..where we immediately heard familiar guitar sounds.

It took us about 3 seconds to realize who it was….G. LOVE!  Yes, indeed, G Love was practicing on his balcony upstairs from ours.  It was like a private serenade for about 30 minutes.  

Oh we were just so so happy! We have been listening to G Love for years….like 15 or more.  We didn’t get to meet him but we did totally enjoy his jam session.

A couple of days in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil

Sailboats in Porto de Galinhas heading for the little island nearby.

On a catamaran cruise near Porto de Galinhas

While it looked like a regular ole lagoon on the coast of Brazil, it was actually home to a beautiful island stop on our boat tour with a reef and fantastic snorkeling! (Check out my manly friend wearing my daughters super pink beach hat!)

Me, acting like many of the passengers on the cruise.....just a little seasick (I was not, however, sent to the front of the boat to barf and have a bucket of water thrown over my head like many others....rough waters!)

Catching fish in Porto de Galinhas

At one of the stops on the boat tour....a horse with humor

Oceanside worship spot

Our friends from the States! (She happens to be a professional photographer and took all these photos....lucky me!))

Mocqueca....a national dish of Brazil, and totally yummy. Nice presentation at this beach side restaurant, too.