On two separate occasions I visited the fishing village of Prainha do Canto Verde, on the northeast coast of Brazil, in the state of Ceará. I did this out of personal interest—to learn about the jangadeiros (the traditional fishermen in this area) and their unique sailboats called jangadas.

I went out on several fishing trips with the jangadeiros. Most of these were one or two days in duration, to check on lobster pots or set and retrieve nets. One trip, however, lasted four days and took me to the edge of the continental shelf, over forty miles offshore. The story of that journey, Walking On Water: Over The Horizon On A Jangada, will be told here in posts. Each post is a new chapter to the story.

This is an interactive book with links to the glossary, galleries, and other websites. To start, go to the Introduction on The Story page and take it from there.

This is a true story with elements of fiction and fantasy. One thing should be made very clear: the actions of the jangadeiros, their prowess as fishermen and sailors, have not been made up or embellished in any way. They are the real deal.

Thank You:

Katherine Bean. David Lorimer. René Schärer. Mauro Fernandes Filho. Catherine Benamou. Christine Pomerantzeff. Andrew Davis.

Special Thanks to:

All the jangadeiros who took me out and showed me the ropes: Mamede, Ze, João, Gaston (Jola), Neu, Kito Velho, Valdelin, Rogelio, Ivan, and others.

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