Serra do Ibitipoca: the trip

After my mom's death in March of 2014, I decided to explore the outside world again and went on a trip to Minas Gerais where I visited a State Park at Serra do Ibitipoca.

I took a bus that could roll downhill any minute. But locals seem not to be aware of the danger. I focused on the scenic drive.

Then I got to the village of Conceicao do Ibitipoca.

Many homes would look like this.

But it is actually dominated by this kind.

Beautiful expensive hotels for my pocket. So I stayed at an apartment with three bedrooms and more beds than I could count. The only thing that they didn't have and probably the one that I needed most besides the cell phone signal was the internet connection.

But the park was a few kilometers away.

I stopped by a cafe to charge myself with caffeine.  As any tourist place, everything looks upscale, but it is in truth just overcharged.

Then, I took the road.

 Three kilometers of uphill walk. I understand now why there is a bus to the park entrance.

Well, by the time I arrived at the entrance, I was already on top of the mountain.

I saw I gigantic wall with a stream of dark water running at its feet.

I took a trail to the lake.

Mirror Lake says the sign.

Found a waterfall, a stream, but I am still to find a lake, a mirrorlike one.
And then it became flat.

Different.

Sometimes pretty.

Definitely thirsty. 
I wished this were amber ale while drinking straight from the stream.

Then, I changed direction. Steps to the top?

WOW!

Walking down to find the stream running through the rock wall.

Then I followed the stream.

I also dunk my feet into the cold water.

Heaven.

 Majestic!