Year 9 trip to Chapada dos Guimaraes

The week of 5th to 9th of June, saw our year 9 students visit Chapada dos Guimares - MT. This trip was part of the secondary residential trips and was organised by Mr Menchini and Miss Baldwin with the support of Quiron Turismo (http://www.quironturismoeducacional.com.br/). During our trip, students had the chance to take part in many activities such as river floating, aqua rides and snorkeling. Some of the most exciting activities included floating through a cave on a rubber ring and watching hundreds of bats flying around - many of the students felt like they were entering Batmans lair! Or floating along a river circuit observing river stingrays and baby stingray hiding on the river bed. The most challenging activity was possibly the day that involved walking 8km on a waterfall circuit. This activity was a test of the students (& teachers) stamina and fitness levels and they finished the hike exhausted. They were rewarded with being able to swim in the many beautiful ponds and waterfalls that we discovered and having a chance to meet students from local schools also completing the hike. There was one tense moment as everybody had to freeze to watch a native rattle snake cross the path we were walking on - not something people experience every day - and something that we all agreed was an exciting occurrence. Many animals were observed during the week, in their natural habitat, including little monkeys arguing over bananas, deer and tapir running through the fields, red and blue macaws and even toucans were seen flying around during the week. It was a fantastic experience for all involved.