The Beach

 One of the benefits of having company is that we finally did a few things we've been wanting to do, like go to the beach! D is our only one who's been to the beach, but he doesn't really remember it. This first time proved that we need to make beach vacations a part of our future. They had a ball and never got tired of it!  H referred to the beach as "the sand box." She could have stayed there all day for weeks.  She loved it!


D had been planning sand castles for weeks and was able to implement a variety of his plans.  As the days went by, he became more wise in the way of beach building, looking for the tide line and building further up the beach.  But he also enjoyed a great bit of wave riding on an inflatable raft and just soaking up the beach atmosphere.  He is the one who never wanted to leave....ever. 



M was our chief shell collector.  We went to a different beach every day and some were loaded while others were bare of seashells.  In the end she brought home a hearty collection that she has big plans for when we return to the Big River.  Eventually we're going to have to have a conversation about that.....  But it provided for countless hours of entertainment.  She also collected pieces of sand dollars, spotted a great number of little jelly fish, and at one point collected a whole bucket of mini clams which she left soaking in a bucket of seawater until they practically boiled.  Grandma showed her how if you put them back on the sand, you can watch them burry themselves, and what great fun that was!

This vacation was a true treat for me because for the first time (maybe ever) there were more adults than kids, and so at times I sat and just enjoyed, or relaxed, or visited.  From the little ones' perspectives too, it must have been marvelous.  There was always someone willing to walk the beach for shells, or push you on the waves, make sand castles for you to knock down, or burry you with sand.  And Grandpa could always be counted on to 'guard' our spot on the beach.

It was fun to have time to play together, there was nothing else we needed to do and as a general rule, we are not a "do nothing" sort of family.  Even our vacations are typically as busy (or more so) than our daily lives.  It's not that we are opposed to sitting on beaches, but there is just so much to see, and do!  I did remember, by the end of this, how I really dislike the feel of sand in everything, how no matter how much you shake and clean your things, you bring home enough sand for a new sandbox.  A few things like that I could live without, but moments like these remind me that it is so worth it, and we will visit beaches again.

 

 

The beach experience in Florianopolis was much different than anything we've experienced before.  Floripa is an island off the coast of Brazil and has 42 different beaches.  Some are known for the party atmosphere, some packed with foreigners, some best for families.  Some are known for the waves and surfing, others for calm, warm waters.  Blessedly, DaddyHealy did his research in advance.  He chose us several of the nicest and we experienced something different every day.  It was fun to ask the kids which was their favorite and hear their reasons.  They, too found it hard to decide. 

 

We found if we went to the beach 9:30/10 it was easy to find places to park (both our car and ourselves).  We typically left by early afternoon because we were tired and ready for naps, but also because the sun here is just so intense, we generally try not to be out in it (especially not in swimsuits on a beach) during that 2-5 timeframe.  We were told after 5, the beaches typically are so crowded you cannot find a spot to put your umbrella.

 

Umbrella and chair rental was another unexpected convenience.  Also DaddyHealy's result of research, it was easy for him to find a vendor renting umbrellas and chairs which were just part of the experience.  Another part of the experience was the very minimal swimsuits ladies wore.  I knew and expected it, and quite frankly worried a lot about what the kids would think and/or ask about why that woman's swimsuit doesn't cover her tushy.  Lucky for me they were so involved in sand and water, they didn't seem to notice. 

 

There were so many conveniences that one literally never had to leave his chair.  A constant stream (to the point of almost annoying at times) of vendors travelled the beach selling coconuts with straws, beer, water, soda, cheese cooked over hot coals, juice or iced drinks blended in a hand crank blender, ice cream, meat, shrimp on a stick, bikinis, swimsuit coverups, hats, towels...and much more.  There were also permanent and semi-permanent vendors along the beach selling a variety of foods and beverages.  We enjoyed shrimp and fish on the beach more than once.  One thing that they didn't have were public bathrooms.  A few beaches had restaurants with bathrooms (for patrons only--or for a fee), but some beaches had absolutely no facilities.  That was a little disconcerting.  And what to do when your 4-year-old has to go potty?

But then, when you get to your car at the end of the day, a little 8-year-old boy had left a 2 liter bottle of water at your car to wash your feet off before you get in the car, hoping you'll give him a little loose change for the effort.  This country, even this island, had such contrast.  Floripa had the greatest wealth we have personally experienced so far in Brazil, but there were still slums, rich and poor live almost side by side.

I wish we had time to go back, but our expat clock is ticking, and there's still Rio, and the rainforest, and so many other things.  We're just glad we got to share this one with Grandma and Grandpa!