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From Rio To Lima…

By on 14. September 2007 in Peru
View of Sao Paulo from the top of the highest building, the Edicifío Italia, on the 42nd floor ... Unbelievable!

View of Sao Paulo from the top of the highest building, the Edicifío Italia, on the 42nd floor … Unbelievable!

The cheapest flights in Brazil leave at unholy hours, so again we left the very cosy Trip Hostel in Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro at 04:00 am and we finally hit our pillows precisely 24 hours later in Lima at 02:00 am local time. This budget journey included a 12 hour stop-over in Sao Paulo. Any stopover in a city of 17 millions has to be superficial and unrewarding, but truly there is not much to see no matter how hard the Lonely Planet and the Tourist Office try to promote the historic center. Continue Reading →

Rio De Janeiro The Maravilhosa

By on 12. September 2007 in Brazil
The world famous Cristo Redentor, a 38 meters high statue that definitely is one of Rio´s landmarks! Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The world famous Cristo Redentor, a 38 meters high statue that definitely is one of Rio´s landmarks! Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

We arrived on a Saturday, just in time to join in some of the typical weekend activities. One we learned of by chance, was eating Feijoda on a Saturday, a black bean stew with a variety of meats, like tongue and pork cut-offs. It is served with rice, fried manioc flour, a green vegetable called kale and pieces of oranges. Gilles simply loved it – hey, it was lots of meat! Heidi would prefer a vegetarian version.

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Arriving In Rio De Janeiro

By on 10. September 2007 in Brazil
The cable car going up the Pao de Acucar at sunset ... Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The cable car going up the Pao de Acucar at sunset … Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Going to Rio for the first time is simply exciting: will the city live up to its reputation and our expectations? After a few conversations with fellow travellers, we found out that flying in Brazil can be cheaper than taking a long distance bus. This is especially true on routes starting & going to Rio de Janeiro. So instead of spending 27 hours on a bus from Salvador, it took us 1 hour and 50 minutes and we actually even saved 12 Reals per person flying!!! Continue Reading →

Relaxing In Morro De Sao Paulo

By on 5. September 2007 in Brazil
Beach Number 4, Morro de Sao Paulo, near Salador de Bahia

Beach Number 4, Morro de Sao Paulo, near Salador de Bahia

One of the things we did not want to miss while visiting Brazil was its beautiful, postcard-like beaches. We followed the recommendation of several fellow travellers and decided to head for Morro de Sao Paulo, an island two hours from Salvador by boat. Continue Reading →

Highlights Of Salvador De Bahia

By on 3. September 2007 in Brazil
Capoeira dancers performing with their class on the street, Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Capoeira dancers performing with their class on the street, Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

There have been several highlights during our stay in Salvador de Bahia apart from visiting the Pelourinho … which is by the way far less interesting and not as well preserved than the colonial laid-back city of Olinda!

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Salvador De Bahia: A Tourist Town!

By on 1. September 2007 in Brazil

 

View of Praca Terreiro de Jesus, Salador de Bahia, Brazil

View of Praca Terreiro de Jesus, Salador de Bahia, Brazil

Salvador is a must on every tourist´ agenda for many reasons. Firstly it hosts the second largest Carnival in Brazil, secondly for its old colonial historic centre, the Pelourinho and above all, its unique cultural background. Nowhere in the Americas have the descendants of African slaves preserved their culture more strongly than here! It is obvious in the music, the cuisine, the religion or types of dance of this Bahia town – at times we almost forgot that we were in Brazil! Continue Reading →

Four Days On Fernando De Noronha

By on 29. August 2007 in Brazil
Natural pool at Praia da Atalaia, on the West Coast of Fernando de Noronha National Park, Brazil

Natural pool at Praia da Atalaia, on the West Coast of Fernando de Noronha National Park, Brazil

If you wonder what makes Fernando de Noronha such a desired holiday destination: it is a beautiful island with 11 golden sandy beaches without any people, great landscapes and very good snorkelling. Most of the island is a Marine National Park that is protected by IBAMA. They also run a project to save and protect turtles, including a museum and lectures. There is also a bay that is off-limit to the public where dolphins come to feed every morning and the rest of the day you may encounter them while taking a boat trip. So the “environmental tourist” feels that this is what you pay for. Continue Reading →

First Impressions Of Fernando De Noronha

By on 25. August 2007 in Brazil

 

Praia de Sancho, one of the most famous beaches in Brazil, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Praia de Sancho, one of the most famous beaches in Brazil, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Two weeks before we actually went to Fernando de Noronha, we had never heard of this island, but fellow travellers in Venezuela raved about it. So we checked the ThornTree forum from Lonely Planet and no superlative seemed to be able to describe this island 17 km2 small 370 km east of Brazil shores: “most beautiful beaches”, “best diving spot in the world”, “a small place in paradise” … Continue Reading →

Beautiful Colonial Olinda

By on 23. August 2007 in Brazil
Olinda, old Colonial Town near Refice, Brazil - In the historic center, each house has a specific color ... In former times, the color of the house would stand for its address!

Olinda, old Colonial Town near Refice, Brazil – In the historic center, each house has a specific color … In former times, the color of the house would stand for its address!

The good news is, there is a direct flight from Manaus to Recife … The bad news is, the plane stops at Santarém, Belem, Sao Luis & Fortaleza before reaching Recife, each a 50 minutes flight and every flight the same sandwich. When we arrived in Olinda at about 05:00 pm, without our luggage, thanks to TAM, we had been going for 13 hours. However, our backpacks were delivered to the hotel the same evening! Continue Reading →

One Night At The Opera… In Manaus

By on 21. August 2007 in Brazil
Teatro Amazonas, An Opera built in 1895 then in the middle of the jungle and at the time of the rubber boom, Manaus, Brazil

Teatro Amazonas, An Opera built in 1895 then in the middle of the jungle and at the time of the rubber boom, Manaus, Brazil

From the beginning, it was clear to us that we would not do a Jungle Tour from Manaus but from Bolivia. That helped us stay clear of all the hawkers talking your head off. Continue Reading →