Brazil -- July 2009 -- Ouro Preto and Mariana

Ouro Preto!

We left the Rive hotel around 5:30 on a very nice tourist bus.
Arrived in Ouro Preto at 12:30

First had some lunch, then went to Casa dos Contos as a group.
From there to the plaza. Photo is of most of the group.
Then everyone could choose what they wanted to see.
Some went to geology museum, some to Inconfidencia museum,
and many to the Sao Francisco and Conceicao churches
to see the works of Aleijadinho.

Sao Francisco church. Beautiful interior,
especially the ceiling.
Don't miss the fountain by Aleijadinho in the back!
(no photos allowed inside)

Mariana !!

Interior courtyard at the Hotel Providencia in Mariana.

Very nice place to stay for a reasonable price.

Mariana street

Went to the gold mine in Marina on Monday morning
before going on to Caraca.

First trolley loaded for the ride into the mine

The engine that pulls the trolley up the shaft.
It looks like a steam engine, but runs on compressed air.
It is over 115 years old.

Descending into the mine.
You have to watch your head at the entrance.

Venicius with the very clear water in the bottom of the mine

Looking for gold

Ready for the ride to the top

Panning for gold - but no luck (or skill?).
Back to the bus for the trip to Caraca -- still poor.