Galeão
Author: Shirlz
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
I decided to head on up to Galeão as soon as the tide turned in my favour. It was a good day with a light NE breeze and I’d be able to sail all the way. Although it was only about 5nm I hauled the dinghy back up on deck. The wake from some of the fast motor boats can be horrendous. By the time we set off the wind had picked up a little and we swooped along at 5 knots with two reefs in the sail. Tide and wind hurrying us along. Keeping to the middle of the channel the water was quite deep. Mostly about 10m. As the river turned more to the east I needed to gybe. By this time I had lowered another panel and as the sail swung across the reefed bundle got caught in the sheet. I had to make a quick little pirouette into the wind to shake it all out. Then off again, flying up the river. What excitement!
Approaching Galeão the water gets a bit shallower but still a comfortable 5 to 6 meters. A small church at the top of a hill overlooking the village is a good landmark. I had been warned about the local practice of laying nets on the riverbed weighted down with stones. Each end of the net is marked with a float but they are far apart and it’s not easy to be sure how they are paired. I managed to find a clear area fairly near to the floating dock. It had been a lovely little sail.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
I went ashore On Tuesday morning and walked up the hill to the church. Hoping to get a good view of the anchorage. A new road was being contructed and the church was undergoing some major restoration work. Due to be finished in three months when they celebrate the festival of their patron saint. From the looks of it they must be hoping for a small miracle to get it completed in time.
On my way down I watched the local women sitting out on their doorsteps picking the meat out of crab shells. A slow job. But pleasant enough sitting in the shade with the gentle village life going on around them. The crab meat looked rather tasty and I started feeling peckish. Decided to treat myself to lunch at the waterfront.
There was only one place open and a table and chair was quickly placed outside where I had a nice view of the passers by and the dock. General astonishment at the fact that I had sailed on my own all the way from Morro de São Paulo! I was served a wonderful prawn moqueca with all the trimmings including the ice cold beer.
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Galeão is conveniently placed for a quick shopping trip to Valença. Three boats leave every morning and two more in the afternoon. It’s only a half hour trip. The water gets very shallow approaching the town so using the ferry boat is definitely the way to go.
The town is busy and the ferry dock a bustling, chaotically confusing place. After the slow pace of Camamú it took a bit of adjustment.