No one said paradise would be close by…

Lençoís felt like nothing short of paradise. The first day we arrived, we went straight to the foot of the mountain of Morro do Pai Inácio. The climb was adventurous, and the top was breathtaking. Our tour guide was great, and his history lesson of how the mountain was named was a thrill!

After climbing to what felt like the top of the world, it was only right we walked to the bottom the next day. The cave Gruta da Lapa Doçe was full of ancient natural monuments hidden in darkness. Stalagmites and stalactites as old as dinosaurs reminded me how short life is and to enjoy everyday we are given. A stalactite grows at a rate of 1cm every 33 years. Considering these cave ceiling decorations are yards long, my 23 years of life is represented by only a fraction of them all.

The final trip was to a small waterfall and well. That place was truly peaceful and serene. As I meditated on the waterfall trying to soak in this rare moment for myself I felt something I have never felt before. Paradise.