Lençóis Maranhenses seen by Jean-Paul Delfino
Even greater than Don Quixote’s dreams, with a romanticism worthy of Baudelaire’s or Thomas de Quincey’s poetic visions, playing every instant with shades of pure white, of green and blue, the Lençois Maranhenses will surprise you, will carry you away and will even make you think that maybe it was here that the Gods found their inspiration to create Paradise.
In more down to earth words, the Lençois extend over more than 150,000 acres, in the northern part of the Maranhão state. Between dunes and lagoons, from Barreirinhas to Santo Amaro do Maranhão and Primeira Cruz, the jealously preserved eco system gives one a perfect illusion of white sheets (lençois) extending as far as the eye can see. Beyond an immaculate promontory, holes filled with pure water appear, mirror-like, reflecting the sun and the blue sky, an invitation to bathe and wash away all the tiredness due to the long walk.
Along the banks of the Preguiça river, the Lençois will not give themselves up to just anybody or surrender at first sight. Under the guidance of experts, you will discover those marvels that stretch out languorously and unendingly; and it is only when the traveller reaches Atins that the journey can really begin. At any time of the day, at every step, the scenery will attract you, charm you and enchant you. When the sun is rising or when it is setting on the horizon, the normally white sands of the rounded dunes become fawn-colored; and it seems as though they were going to come alive and start leading their own autonomous lives.
When you leave the Lençois Maranhenses, do not be surprised if you have become a different person. Some gradual magical effect will have operated on you and you will feel deep inside your soul the beats of a different, soft and peaceful music…
Written by : © Jean-Paul Delfino (This text is subject to copyrights protection in accordance with existing laws)
Our description of The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is on this web page : https://terra-nordeste.com/en/destination/lencois-maranhenses-brazil/
Other texts by Jean-Paul Delfino are available here: Travel Diaries - Jean-Paul Delfino
Jean-Paul Delfino is a French writer and screenwriter so passionate about Brazil that he has taken on the writing of a major novel fresco entitled "Suite brésilienne" which covers three centuries of great Brazilian history.
Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Delfino
