Visit Brazil

Brazil - Amazing

noreply@blogger.com (Franky) — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 22:10:00 +0000

By spending about six months in Brazil two years ago I got so impressed and amazed by this country as I never imagined before. Well actually the main reason for going there was an internship in the marketing department of a big producer of electrical motors. So I spent the most of my time in Jaraguá do Sul in the beautiful state of Santa Catarina in the south of Brazil, where this company is located. This city, 50 km away from the atlantic ocean and bordered by some small green highlands itself is really nice. But if you go the beaches of Santa Catarina you’ll get amazed. Clear white sand, blue water and great waves as far as they eyes can see over almost the hole coast of the state. As I was there in the Brazilian summer which means that there are about 37, 38°C almost every day from the end of november up to march you really need to go the beach. As I was not used to these temperatures from Germany a cool bath in the Atlantic was really comfortable and refreshing. And it’s impossible to say which one is the most beautiful, Florianapolis, the capital of the state, where the famous Tennis player Gustavo Kuerten comes from itself has already 42 different beaches. And there are a lot more in the state, like Camboriu, Enseiada, Garopaba or Bombinhas for example. But of course Brazil is not only Santa Catarina and beaches, there is a lot more to see. In the northeast there a wonderful beaches as well, nice small fishing villages and plantages of coconut trees that almost cover the view until the horizon. So when you’re there you almost forget everything and only enjoy the nature. Of course there is Rio de Janeiro, the big citys within the mountains and the great attractions like the Corcovado, the Sugar Loaf or the Copacabana. There are also nice areas on the coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo like Paraty or Angra dos Reis. The waterfalls of Iguaçu, located on the boarder between Brazil und Argentina contain about 220 different waterfalls. So you can spent there a day or better more than one to go from one waterfall to the next and you are feeling like as you were in postcard. It also funny to go by boat almost directly under the falls but you should be prepared to get completely wet. As the climate there is so hot and humid as well you can also find for me exotical animals like Tukans. But for finding more exotical fauna und flora you have to go to the Amazonian or to Pantanal. I went to Pantanal for some days in January 2004. It is the biggest marshland on the earth and has a size of about 230,000km², located in the west of Brazil on the boarder to Bolivia. There are about 40 degree all ove the year and the humidity amounts 99%. So it is not really surprising that there are always a lot of mosquitos around when you go outside. So 5 days are really enough and you are a little bite exhausted afterwards. But therefore you can see a lot as well. As the vegetation is not so dense as in the Amazonian you can really go there deep inside if you like, well it’s recommendable only go there with a guide. As there are crocodiles, big snakes, piranhas and spiders, but also nicer animals like tukans, parrots, aras or monkeys. And the sunsets are unbelievable. Well I was travelling trough Brazil for 6 weeks and there are still a lot of places to go. Well there are 8,000km from the north to the south of the country so there is some spaces for beautiful areas. So enjoy some pictures of Brazil and I am looking forward to show some more later.

The Iguacu Waterfalls

noreply@blogger.com (Franky) — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 19:37:00 +0000

Between the border of Brazil and Argentina there is an amazing spectacle of nature – the Iguacu Waterfalls. The water of the Iguacu river runs down in about 220 single waterfalls which alltogether give you an impression of paradise. They are not the highest falls and there may be waterfalls with a bigger water amount, but only at the Iguacu Falls you see waterfalls whereever you look. They area covered by the falls is so big that you already need a whole day to visit the waterfalls from the Argentinian side. On that side you are closer to the falls than on the brazilian one. There are organized trips in mini busses from Foz du Iguacu, the closest city to the waterfalls, located in Brazil, towards the argentinian side of the falls. You pay about 10 US Dollar for the trip and not even 10 US Dollar more for the fee for the national park that includes the waterfalls. Arriving there you walk from the biggest fall with a height of 70 meters to one waterfall after the other. But you never get bored because every few meters you have a different wounderful view. But you always feel as you were in the middle of the waterfalls. And the noise is breathtaking. With sun you see rainbows because of all the spraying water. Through the very warm and humid climate in this area the waterfalls are surrounded by green forests. Through this almost tropical landscape and climate you can also find exotic animals there such as toucans for example. I can also recommend to make a boat trip that brings you almost underneath the waterfalls. No worries, they fortunately stop early enough before the water swell hits you but through the spray you get completely wet anyway. So you better prepare yourself with a cape. But it’s definitely great fun. There are also boats that bring on a small peninsula between the falls. Some more different views from there. Going to the Brazilian side of the waterfalls you are a little bit farer away from the falls. Which does not mean that it is less impressive. There you have a great overview and almost the whole dimension of the falls. A kind of bridge over the water leads you until the actual point where the water starts dropping down. So you have an interesting look into the depth and you’re hoping the small bridge won’t break. But is actually quite stable. Overall, if you go to Brazil you shouldn’t miss the Iguacu Waterfalls. You certainly won’t forget it. Simply take a plane to Foz do Iguacu. There are loads of guesthouses for a very good price. And there are also more things to see there. As you for example don’t go through all the falls on the Brazilian side and so maybe need half a day for a visit there, there is the Birds park very close to the Brazilian falls. There you are together with such exotic birds as toucans, parrots or honeysuckers. And you are not even divided from them through a fence. The Itaipu damn which is the biggest hydroelectric power station in the world and delivers the half of Paraguay and the whole South of Brazil with electricity is only a few kilometers away.

Brazilian Beaches

noreply@blogger.com (Franky) — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 20:37:00 +0000

One of the things Brazil is famous for – besides decent soccer, Rio de Janeiro or beautiful women – are the wonderful beaches. You can find them from the very Northeast to the border to Uruguay in the Southeast. For sure everybody had heard about and seen pictures of the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, but the Brazilian Atlantic Coast offers many many more endless beaches with fine white sand and turquoise to blue water. So overall the place almost everybody dreams to be and where you can forget everything else. Already in Santa Catarina – the federal state I have spent my seven months in Brazil – there is one beautiful beach after the other. In Florianopolis, the capital of this state, there 42 different beaches. But everyone is a little bit different to the others. But all the beaches are perfect to have a cooling bath in the ocean and a nice sun bath. But be careful, the is so strong that already some minutes without sun protection are enough to burn your skin. No wonder with temperatues of about 40° in the summer. The beaches around Garopaba, about 70km southern from Florianopolis, are also perfect for surfers because of their great waves. The Northeast of Brazil is also famous for its beaches. And rightly. Located very close to the equator you can find amazing beaches aroung cities like Natal, Maceio or Salvador. With not so many tourists in these areas you have even more the impression of a paradise when you are only surrounded by waves, clean sand and coconut trees as far as the eyes can see. But in the sea around Recife, a big city in the Northeast there also sharks and shark attacks also occurred in the past. But in comparison to the west coast of the USA it’s very rarely. But don’t swim to far away from the coast in that area! Parati, located between the big cities Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, is also a perfect places for a relaxing holiday at the beach. From this nice old small city with cobblestones you can reach the beaches very easily. Also boat trips in the bay along the coast are highly recommended. A last tip are the beaches of Ilha do Mel, an Island in front of Parana, the third southern federal state of Brazil. It’s about 30 km away from Cutiriba. You can only reach the Island by Ferry and there are no cars. So even a better condition for a relaxing holiday on endless beaches.

The Pantanal

noreply@blogger.com (Franky) — Sat, 20 May 2006 22:12:00 +0000

Everybody is speaking about the djungel and tropical forest around the Amazonas. But there is also an other wild natural area in South America that offers such a comprehensive and tropical fauna and flora in South America – the Pantanal. This wetland – located in Paraguay, Bolivia and mainly Brazil – covers 140,000 km² and is therewith bigger than Greece for example. The climate conditions are almost as extreme as around the Amazonas. There are around 40° almost over the whole year and a humidity of 99%. So not the most comfortable area for somebody who is not used to these conditions. But the wildness of animals and vegetation the Pantanal still offers makes trip to that area to an unforgetable experience. You easily meet apes, lizzards, chameleon, caimans, parrots and other tropical birds such as tucans in wild nature, but also nice animals as pumas, poisonous spiders or big snakes can meet your way in the Pantanal. So a guide is definitely necessary. Not only for leading you to the most interesting places and animals but also for not risking your life. You can book tours in Campo Grande, the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, which is mainly the starting point for going to the Pantanal. An about four hour bus trip brings you close to the Pantanal from there. Afterwards a Jeep brings you deep into the real Pantanal area. From a kind of pension there you can make several tours through the nature. Of course walking or even a Safari by bike which I can’t really recommend with 40° in the shadow and big areas without shadow. But actually whatever you are doing there you will sweat anyway. That makes you even more attractive for the loads of nasty mosquitos. Spray or lotion to deter from insects is recommendable, but when it gets mixed with sweat it does not disturb the mosquitos anymore. But the nature you see there everytime and eveywhere you go compensates for all inconveniences. You only see nature as far as you eyes can see. Making a boat trip on one of the numerous rivers in the Pantanal gives you an easy view on the animals on the land and the trees around the river. You can also go for fishing piranhas who are supposed to be a delicacy. Well I did not try. Horse back riding through the Pantanal is also a nice experience. In the time from October to March there is raining period. That means that the rivers go over the shore and flood big parts of the Pantanal area. Horse back riding than means riding in one meter high water. So your legs up to the knees get wet for sure. But it’s still great fun. And it’s not really difficult, not even if it’s your first time. Of course there are also Safaris by car or truck. While managing to travel big distances by car you come to several interesting places and different Fauna and Flora. Even while driving wild animals cross the street in front of the truck. Last but not least the Pantanal has probably the most amazing sunsets I’ve ever seen. As the landscape is so flat you can see the sun going down many kilometers away. And the sky and the clouds get mixed and so many different forms colours from red and orange to dark blue.

The Northeast

noreply@blogger.com (Franky) — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 19:49:00 +0000

Going to the Northeast of Brazil there are some of the most idyllic and romantic places I’ve ever seen. Allover the North-East coast you find loads of perfect beaches with white sand and coconut palms. Beginning in Natal which is located almost at the equator you can snorkel in the Atlantic Ocean and thereby watch the fishes in the pretty warm water. The city is also famous for the Buggy Trips where you can go the dunes by Buggy feeling like Bud Spencer und Terrance Hill. Definitely great fun. It also offers a couple of historic building like old forts. Afterwards I went by a 10 hours night bus trip to Maceió, the capital of the federal state Alagoas is much smaller than Natal and so much quieter. The beaches around this city are actually the best ones at all. And I’ve never seen so many coconut palms on one place. The nuts are hanging so deep sometimes that you can simply take them while standing. I tried to open one with my pure two hands. No chance at all. But at the most beaches small mobile kiosques sell them opened for about 1 Reais, which is about 40 US Cents. The coconut juice is so great and refreshing. Especially with the hot brazilian weather. You can also make nice boat trips around the islands in front of the coast or simply watch the fishers trying their luck with big flues in the morning. Simply the place to forget everything else and only enjoy. Moving to the South at one time you reach Salvador in Bahia. With about 2.5 million inhabitants it is one of the biggest brazilian cities after Sao Paulo und Rio de Janeiro. And it’s also very famous for its great carnival in February. A lot of very antique churches and kathedrals, the palace in the city centre or the completely red antique fireworkers building are some of the sights in that city which is also surrounded by beautiful beaches. Through the close location of the Northeast to the equator it’s getting dark really early like half past 6 although there are 35° during the day. Very strange for foreigner. And although it is an amazing and beautiful area it also has to be said that it is very poor. Especially as a tourist many people are begging all the time. And criminality is a serious issue there for sure as well.

Brazilian Carnival

noreply@blogger.com (Franky) — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:38:00 +0000

One of the things Brazil is most famous for – next to Soccer and beautiful women – the Carnival. Everybody heard of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo or maybe also Salvador, where are the biggest ones. But almost every small city has its own Samba Schools for which the parades at the Carnival is the highlight of the year. Although the most of the brazilian cities are poor they put a lot of their money into the costumes and the show for the Carnival. It’s a kind of proud of every city and so it’s almost like a competition between the cities in a certain area which one has the best Carnival. And of courses also a competition between the different Samba Schools of one town. And the shows and paradess you can see there are amazing. Brazilians really seem to have the Samba in the blood. And so it’s very nice to look at them while they are dancing. Samba music and drumas also get you in the right mood. I went for Carnival in Paranagua, a relatively small town at the South close to Curitiba in February 2004. But although the city was not so big they were already six different Samba Schools, each making a show and parade through the streets for about half an hour. Nice brazilian women with short customes dancing samba in the street, men drumming wild on their big drums. That’s really a must to see. Although it was already a great experience I still wanna see one of the bigger Carnivals, especially the Salvador one is supposed to be amazing.