August 27, 2006

9:00 AM (GMT – 1) 2:00 AM (PST)

Today is going to be a long one, but the team is ready.  The bus is here at 9:00 AM and as soon as we’re load is off to Furnas Lake and Hot Springs.  We arrive at the Furnas Lake and are welcomed by the sweet smell of sulphur.  Eggs anyone.  After a quick team meeting it is time to explore.  There are a number of hot springs (not for swimming – unless you can handle +100 C temperature).  Some are clear water springs, while other are very muddy.  The lake is unfortunately very polluted so there is no swimming.  Some of the kids take a paddle boat out on to the lake. 

After the lake the bus takes us to the Furnas.  This is a village built around many steam vents.  There is again a very strong sulphur smell.  At the Furnas we small water from many of the water outlets.  These are samples of pure water from the different springs in the mountains.  Each has a distinct taste, although all have CO2 in them.  At the village we eat corn on the cob that has been cooked in large bags in the hot springs.  About 5 minutes for a 50 lbs. bag.  The corn is very sweet and tender.  We also eat some poor bread, kind of like a thick pancake.  Very tasty and sweet.

After the furnas it time to drive to the beach at Ribeira Quente.  A quick team meeting on the bus and its off to the beach.  It is extremely hot at the beach and no shade.  The only relief is the water.  The beach is sandy but there are rock tumbling in the wash for the first twenty feet.  If you can get past that and the breakers you are into calm sandy water.  Time to just float and relax.  To come out of the water you have to time it between the breakers.  Timed right and you are clear to the beach with your pride still intact.  If you time it wrong your going down in the wash.  After changing and showering we head to the beach bar/restaurant for a late lunch and drink. We relax for another hour or so before get on a bus that indicates 46 C, to head for Povoacao to relax in town.  There is a small park and many closed shops (Sunday).  A little soccer in the village park and then over to a small zoo.  We relax at a restaurant for awhile and then its time to head off to the game.  A few of us decide to walk.  This is a mistake on my part.  I decide to walk alone because I think I remember where the soccer field is when we drove by like the others.  The only thing is a was asleep on the bus.  Oops.  So I walk around for about 45 minutes, ask about four people for directions (get four different answers).  OK I admit it I’m lost, so it back to the restaurant to walk with the other.  But there now already gone.  I ask one more person a the bar, and head in the direction I was told.  I round the first corner and theirs the Gardener’s car.  I am saved.  I try to sink down low in the car as we pass the other who are walking.  Too late Shane see me.  I’ll never live this down.  Lesson 1 – Don’t sleep on the bus and then expect to know where you came from.  Anyway its game on.

 

Game 6 - Lakehill Euro Versus Povoacao

4:09 Povoacao Goal – #9, Assist #10
11:42 Povoacao Goal – #9

16:03 Provoacao Goal – #6

18:04 Povoacao Goal - #10

18:53 Povoacao Goal – #8

20:28 Lakehill Goal – Adam, Assist Avery

Halftime

32:05 Povoacao Goal – #8

49:32 Povoacao Goal – #3

53:17 Povoacao Goal – #10

56:24 Povoacao Goal – #17

Final Score – Povoacao (9) vs. Lakehill Euro (1)

After the game there are two trophy presentations.  Obviously Lakehill takes the second place trophy and are very happy to do so.  Later sandwiches and drinks are supplied to players, family and parents for the bus ride home by team Povoacao.  Thanks.  It’s a long ride home.  Then off the mall for photos and oranges.  Blogging and bed.