Team x-tudo passes the half-way mark in style...

Team x-tudo is now 18 days into our trip with only 16 days remaning. It's hard to believe we've fit so much into so little time...and even harder to imagine how we will fit the rest in before we leave here in a few weeks.  To "celebrate" our mid-way point, the team had a few days of relative rest. On our way back to Vitoria from Aracruz, we were invited to an incredible BBQ at Aloisilo's country farm.  It was really more of an ESTATE than a farm, and there our team enjoyed life music, more excellent churrasco food and many drinks and dips in the refreshing pool.  The scenery was stunning...just what the doctor ordered.

After the BBQ, we headed back down to Vitoria where we met our wonderful hosts and trip organizers Michelle,Thompson, and Helvio for our mid-trip meeting. We discussed how things were going and how they could make improvement to increase our enjoyment of the trip. Overall there are very few complaints.  We've all had our rough moments (err...days), but in general we are in good spirits and are still ready to tackle anything that comes our way. Well, ALMOST anything :)  After the meeting, we headed to the local artesans market where the team purchased and split our VERY FIRST X-tudo hamburger.  Thumbs up all around.

After a short night with our families in Vitoria, and ANOTHER repack of all our gear, we headed out the next morning for Guarapari.  We had heard nothing but raves about the place and the real thing did not disappoint. There are 55 beaches there...each one more stunning than the next. We only had a chance to visit 9 so we will need to return as soon as possible to see the rest ;)  Thanks SO much for our local rotary hosts who recognized how exhausted we were and cancelled many things on our never-ending schedule to allow us some SOLID relaxation time.  More beautiful people. More beautiful places.

After as much beach and sun time as we could manage, the team headed off to Cachoiero, where we will be for the next four days. We have four club presentation while we are here and our schedules look pretty packed.  More updates when we have completed our days here. Below is a view of the famous rock in Cachoiero named "The monk and the nun." I think you can see why.