We have left Triunfo to visit Catimbau National Park in the drylands. I really enjoyed Triunfo. I thought the scenery was nice and the weather was pleasant. I was really excited to visit Catimbau National Park and see cave paintings from prehistoric times. The park is Brazil's 2nd largest archeological site. There are 2,000 caves and 28 different areas with cave paintings. The views were spectacular.
Outside the park was a large cashew plantation. The company has cleared land from the caatanga to plant more cashew trees.
This company is powerful and influences people by providing them wih appliances and other services. If you are friendly to the company than you will have a @ spray painted on your home. If you are not friendly to the NGO then you will have an ab spray painted. Well if that doesn't make things strange enough than the story about the group of people up at the national park will.
The @ indicates this family is friendly to the cashew plantations intentions and operations. This village at the top of the ravine are inhabited by people that were drawn here by a religious fanatic Meu Rei (My King). He was leader of an alternative community and claimed to be older than he actually was. Others viewed him as a mystical leader. Years ago the area was withdrawn so he was able to harbor many families on the compound.
Walking around the village I could not help but think of what it was like 30 years ago. Now it was like a ghost town. Nobody was around but us. However there was a little town of silence surrounding us. Kind of a surreal feeling. We left the village to begin our hike down to the cave paintings. Walking through this area of the caatanga was unique. It was very sandy. The soil was not nearly as sandy at the area where we saw the fossils. We continued walking until we came upon some amazing rock formations. This particular rock had a huge hole in the middle of it. The view through the rock was quite the sight. Looking out at the sandstone rocks and buttes. The scenes were unlike I have ever seen in my life. The vastness of it all was overwhelming. The panoramic view of the park was impressive. I really feel lucky that I am able to experience days like today. It got even better.
Later after soaking in the views. I walked down to the cave that contained art from prehistoric man. It was really cool seeing cave paintings up close. Being in the same cave that man lived in tens of thousands of years ago was remarkable. For me it doesn't get much better than that.
We later learned that a major fault line went through this park creating the wonderful views due to the poweful forces of nature. Catimbau was once part of the rift during the time of Pangea when the continents were connected and then rifted apart. This particular area broke away from Africa.
Once again I can't begin to explain how overwhelming the views were for me. The totality and complexity of the landscape was unlike anything I have ever seen. Niagara Falls is incredible and worthy of a spot but this national park is unique in various ways. Between the cashew plantation, religious commune, cave painting, faultline rifts, and amazing views this was an all encompassing experience.
Tomorrow we are going to a market in Pesqueira and a white lace outlet.
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