More travel in Brazil

Well I think it’s been awhile since the last time I wrote but I think it’s time to add a little bit more. I’m still living

my life half in Brazil and half-time in the United States traveling around Brazil when I can and of course in the U.S. as well. it is July of 2018 and that means it’s winter and I am in Brazil. Louise and I have invited our friends Marly and Eda to join us on a trip to the state of Minas Gerais the southern part of Brazil. Eda takes the bus from minados luiz’s Hometown which is about 4 and 1/2 hours away and

arrives at 2 in the morning for us to leave early Saturday morning. we load the car with all our stuff and head up to pick up Marly on the way out of town. It’s a beautiful sunny day as we begin our travels heading towards Uberlandia. A pretty

uneventful travel day through the cerrado filled countryside. There was one highlight in the day as we were looking for a place to have lunch we turned off the main road into a small town. “Tapuirama” The streets of the small town had flags hanging from side to side and we knew that there was a festival going on. It was a little

late for lunch but we stopped and asked directions to the local restaurant. After driving by a couple times we realized it was closed because of the festival. A couple of people had mentioned there’s a small place that serves Marnamix which is a common traditional place where you can pick up lunch and take it to go.

We head down the road and spot a small sign on the opening of the fence, the only thing to identify the house and invite us to come in. What a pleasant surprise.

The aroma of fresh home cooked rice, chicken and beans fill the small kitchen.

The family of the house seem excited to have us and invite us to eat on the veranda.

The lunch is great and although the conversation is Portuguese I understand most of it. We load back up and continue our journey as we

have a little further to go Araxa – our first night stop. Araxa is a city of about 95000 people in the state of Minas gerais. It is named after a local

native tribe that live there when it was first discovered buy European settlers and means: place from where the sun is first seen. We arrive mid afternoon and head to the central part of the city to find a hotel. On a boulevard with a newly designed island green space we find the perfect hotel and check in. Not long after we are on our way, off to look around the grounds of the Grande Hotel Araxa.

Built in 1944 as a casino by local politicians, the grande hotel is a luxury hotel which has hosted many important regional parties since it was built. Today the hotel has some age, but continues to be a destination for families and parties in the area. It stands with a large garden and pond in the back and unfortunately a large parking lot in front. We spend some time looking around, walking and exploring both inside the hotel and the grounds out back. It is truly nice to be out of the car and enjoying the cool afternoon breeze. Our adventures take us down a winding trail to a small overlook where a bougainvillea is currently displaying its purple beauty wrapped around a gazebo overlook where one can gaze on the pond below. Behind the gazebo like overlook is a small building which houses a natural spring. Actually not very eventful as one can get a taste of this natural refreshment but the building is plain and nothing really to see. There is a second floor but since the bougainvillea is so beautiful it is hard to believe there is anything more worth a visit. We enjoy our walk and soon it is time to head back to the hotel, eat some dinner and get some rest. There is a museum (Dona Bejos) we would like to see but it is currently under renovations so we decide to head out in the morning.

Alto Paraiso de Goias Brazil..

Ok.. not sure why this post did not get published but here it is from late last year.

 

Last Thursday we woke up early and headed northeast traveling down the toll roads the 2 hours to the Federal District of Brasil, spent a little over an hour continuing our drive and crawling through Brasilia traffic. We finally get to the opposite side of the district and travel another 2 1/2 hours through small towns with roadside vendors and siting one toucano (yes I realize this is the Brazilian word for it but I like it better then toucan) along the way. We arrive in Alto Paraiso de Goias which sits inside the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. Created to preserve the ancient rock formations, the park and towns are known for their ecotourism and new age spirituality. In the distance we can see the small but beautiful range of mountains permeating the cerrado terrain. After quick stop in town, we drive the small distance to Sao Jorge where we have booked a small villa to stay. Sao Jorge is a small village filled with Posada’s (small hotels) and where people congregate in the evenings after exploring the national park. Upon arriving, we find that we have been overbooked and the villa we are supposed to stay at is no longer available. Not to worry as someone comes forward who has a house they rent on the weekend that is unoccupied and ends up being less expensive then what we have booked. It takes a little bit of time getting it all sorted out but soon our bags are set on our beds and we are ready to explore Sao Jorge. With non paved streets in the middle of winter which for central Brasil means dry weather, it is quite dusty and with every step we create a small puff of dust. The house we are renting, is just off the main

street not even a half a block so we begin our adventure walking down the street. For a small town there are a ton of people and lots of movement. Lining the streets are hippies selling their hand made wares and behind these vendors are shops selling the same as well as restaurants and souvenirs shops. Dresses, shirts, jewelry and nick nacks can all be found. We spend the evening looking, grabbing a bite to eat and enjoying the pleasant evening. We turn in early as it was a long day traveling and we have lots of hiking on the itinerary the next day.

1. We wake up to another sunny day, eat our breakfast, fill our water bottles and head out towards our first destination (Valle da Lua) Valley of the Moon. The destination is a short distance from were we are staying so we jump into the car and head back the way we came. Soon it is time to turn down a dirt road with all the vegetation around covered with dirt. We make it to the parking area and after a short hike you begin to hear the rushing of water and realize you must be nearing the river. Reaching the banks of the now small stream it is hard to see any water as the river actually flows 20 feet down below in the gray rock canyons. I understand that during the rainy season, the banks are filled with water rushing over the rocks, cutting and reforming them. The dark gray rock sculpted by the water create a beautiful terrain and we carefully explore. It is easy to see where it got it name. We take some time to enjoy the sites and sounds, wading in the clear water pools just beyond the moon like canyons. We have other things to explore so after a small snack and some water it is time to set off for our next destination. We arrive back at our car and drive back down the dusty road to the parking area of our next destination. Three waterfalls in one. Almecegas I Waterfalls, Almecegas II Waterfalls. The hike is semi steep and quite long. I am glad that have been doing a lot of walking the last couple of months. The scenery is wonderful and all the different vegetation and flowers. After exploring a bit and a little more wading,. We head back up the trail where we came from. Soon we come to the

See Video of our Hike

Our first stop is on top of the waterfall. Filled with clear water pools, the river flows so calmly before it makes it way to the edge of the drop off. It is truly peaceful although the sound of rush water can be heard in the distance.

 

Ok  maybe it was not complete that is why I did not publish.. more to come…

Quadrilha 2018 Goiania

This is where I live South of the equator.

Many of my friends have inquired about our place in Brazil.  Come take a look..

Fim de semana em uma fazenda perto de Brasilia (Weekend at an acreage near Brasilia

We decided to get away for the weekend when a friend’s brother made another request for us to come for a visit.  Yes, he has asked us to join him at his acreage near Brasilia before but it has just never worked out and since we had no plan we decided to take this opportunity to travel.  It was a very relaxing weekend with hammocks, great views, and horse back riding.   I caught some of it on video and hope you enjoy.

Eco Tourism 2 Lencois Brazil

With our guide Sergio in the car and the rest of the day to explore, we head out of Lencois on the same roads we drove into the quaint little town on. We enter Park National da Chapada Diamantina  heading towards our first destination and soon the roads become partially paved and then gravel surrounded by beautiful landscape filled with rock formations, mesas and gorgeous vegetation.  Not sure if the tour guide brought us the most direct way  but we really do not care as we arrive at Enchanted Well ready to explore.   A small welcome center with friendly Brazilians greet us as we find the last spot in the shade to park out car.  We prepare to hike into the cavern just a few meters away.  We put on our hard hats equipped with headlights and set off following our fearless guide.  Into the cave we descent enjoying the beautiful natural wallpaper covering the rocks around.  We come to the Enchanted Well which is a giant sunken pool 120 feet deep with water so clear you see the rocks and other items at the bottom of it.  When the sun is just right,  light coming through the crevices reflects on the water giving it a blue tint.   A delicate ecosystem strives way down here so far below the surface.  Our time is spent enjoying the quiet hidden away treasure and soon we turn back and return to our car up above.  I have to say the hike down was much easier then the return up the winding steps, but I guess that is what one would expect.

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Our time cave exploring is over and after a quick snack it is on to our next destination.  Down the dirt roads once again,  through color full little towns with their historic churches we travel.   We end up in Mucuge Bahia which is the location of our next stop.  On the edge of town in front of the “great wall” (a grand embankment) sits Cemetery Santa Izabel.  Filled with  Byzantine style tombs all stark white standing gloriously against today’s blue sky.  These artistic tributes to those who have gone before us are primarily from the early 19th century when outbreaks of cholera and smallpox came to the town and prompted the citizens to bury their dead  outside the city limits.  As we stroll through the tombstones,  it is easy to identify which years the epidemics were more devastating as the number of deaths are higher.   If you have not already figured,  I find cemeteries to be calm, quiet and full of great art.  The Gothic style tributes of this cemetery do not disappoint me as they are truly an adventure in itself with detail surprises throughout.   We spend a little over an hour exploring all these ancient creations.

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It is a couple of kilometers from Mucuge and that is where we head next to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the corner of the town square.  After lunch,  we do a little exploring of the small town and get some great photos.  Settle by Portuguese immigrants in the late eighteenth century,  traces of indigenous occupation prior to the present day inhabitants have been discovered in recent years.  It is one of the oldest settlements in the region filled with outstanding characteristics and

historic colonial mansions of Portuguese style.   A thriving community of the Brazilian diamond rush era,  its population hit approximately thirty thousand  and was an important commercial center in the nineteenth century.   Diamonds were discovered in the caves around the city which created it as noteworthy city worldwide and it is said that it had and embassy of France within its city walls.    (thanks Wikipedia)

Soon it is time to leave Mucuge and to head to our final stop for the day the “musue vivo do Garimpo (Living Museum of Garimpo).  It is a short drive and soon we arrive at the museum on the banks of the Mucugê Creek where the first diamonds were found in Bahia according to legend.  Hike the short trail to a nice history center filled with artifacts of the diamond era and local traditions.    Diamond cutting tools,

measuring scales, mining tools, and typical clothing of the time are just a few of the artifacts displayed.  After our time in the museum we head outside and hike along the creek where the water is red from the minerals.  The creek is full of small waterfalls and surrounded by the same amazing landscape and greenery we have enjoyed throughout this reagion.  The falls remind me of Sioux Falls although there the rocks are red, not the water.  It is getting l=to be late afternoon so we head back to Lencois for a good night sleep as tomorrow is another travel day onto Salvador.  This area would definitely be an part of Brazil I would visit again to see more of the amazing waterfalls, caves, and other natural wonders still left unexplored by me.

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Landing in Rio De Janeiro

Ok..quick  trip to Rio de Janeiro to take in some of the Olympic Games. It was a short trip and I had a blast.  Hopefully I will spend some time writing and get some posts done and in the meantime here is a short video of our landing at Satntos Dumont International Airport.

a ..

 

A walking I will go…

Yesterday afternoon I found myself with a little down time so I headed out the door and went for a little walk.  Ok – it was a longer walk over 2 hours and according to fit bit over 6000 steps and definitely longer then I first intended.  About five blocks from home I began taking note of some of the things I spotted and decided to share my observations. As I walked along I noticed a wall which has been constructed in the past six months or less.  It is like other walls along the road creating a boarder between the sidewalk and personal property.  What I paid a little more attention to on this day was the tagging which was scribbled across the newly painted structure.  The culprits sure did not waste any time before they streaked their black lines across the tan wall.  Yes, Goiania is full of graffiti and most of my friends here are not happy about it.   I have noticed this before and in other Brazilian cities but on my walk today I pay a little closer attention to it.  I notice that some of the graffiti in the city is quite artistic and then there is some which has no artistic value like the one in the first photo.   On almost every block there is some sort of graffiti to grab the passerby’s attention. I meander a little further and come to a park with a community center or gym located in the center.  We have driven by this building before and I have always wanted to take a closer look.  It is covered with graffiti but this almost looks as if it has a purpose with some actual art being involved.  As I walk up to the structure to take a closer look I think of the murals they are painting under the bridges and underpasses along the beltline bike trails in Atlanta.  There is not a lot of difference between what we call art and graffiti.   I will continue to scour the city walls of Goiania for more art among the graffiti and share it from time to time. In the meantime enjoy this short video with graffiti from Goiania. I figure this is better then having all the pictures listed below.  Let me know what you think…

 

A special apology to all my Brazilian friends who would rather not have me show what they consider the ugly side of Brazil but it is truly life in Brazil.  I remember a day when cities in the United States were plagued with this vandalism, not sure how they got rid of it but hopefully Brazil will follow suite and it will get better. At least the non artistic part of it.

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Landing in Goiania

So it has been a while since I posted anything and I hope this catapults me back into spending at least a little bit of time blogging.  I have some pieces to finish, some videos to edit and more thoughts to share.  In the meantime enjoy this video of my landing flying Azul Airlines into Goiania Brazil.

BRAZIL NATIONAL ANTHEM

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The sun only sets once in a day!: Brazil’s National Anthem

Brazil’s National Anthem

Well the Olympic Games are coming to RIo  in a couple of months and what better time to take a look at the Brazilian National Anthem.  A symbol of this nation sung with such energy and passion by the home fans.  Brazil as a country is a melting pot of people from all over the world,  I wanted to know how the lyrics compared to that of the National Anthem of the United States.  Thanks Wikipedia for the translation.

Portuguese lyrics	English translation
First stanza
Ouviram do Ipiranga as margens plácidas De um povo heroico o brado retumbante, E o sol da Liberdade, em raios fúlgidos, Brilhou no céu da Pátria nesse instante. Se o penhor dessa igualdade Conseguimos conquistar com braço forte, Em teu seio, ó Liberdade, Desafia o nosso peito a própria morte! Ó Pátria amada, Idolatrada, Salve! Salve! Brasil, um sonho intenso, um raio vívido, De amor e de esperança à terra desce, Se em teu formoso céu, risonho e límpido, A imagem do Cruzeiro resplandece. Gigante pela própria natureza, És belo, és forte, impávido colosso, E o teu futuro espelha essa grandeza. Terra adorada Entre outras mil És tu, Brasil, Ó Pátria amada! Dos filhos deste solo És mãe gentil, Pátria amada, Brasil!	The placid banks of Ipiranga heard the resounding cry of a heroic people and in shining rays, the sun of liberty shone in our homeland’s skies at this very moment. If the assurance of this equality we achieved by our mighty arms, in thy bosom, O freedom, our chest shall defy death itself! O beloved, idolized homeland, Hail, hail! Brazil, an intense dream, a vivid ray of love and hope descends to earth if in thy lovely, smiling and clear skies the image of the (Southern) Cross shines resplendently. Giant by thine own nature, thou art beautiful, thou art strong, an intrepid colossus, and thy future mirrors thy greatness. Beloved Land amongst a thousand others art thou, Brazil, O beloved homeland! To the sons of this land thou art a gentle mother, beloved homeland, Brazil!
Second stanza
Deitado eternamente em berço esplêndido, Ao som do mar e à luz do céu profundo, Fulguras, ó Brasil, florão da América, Iluminado ao sol do Novo Mundo! Do que a terra mais garrida Teus risonhos, lindos campos têm mais flores, “Nossos bosques têm mais vida”, “Nossa vida” no teu seio “mais amores”. (*) Ó Pátria amada, Idolatrada, Salve! Salve! Brasil, de amor eterno seja símbolo O lábaro que ostentas estrelado, E diga o verde-louro dessa flâmula – Paz no futuro e glória no passado. Mas se ergues da justiça a clava forte, Verás que um filho teu não foge à luta, Nem teme, quem te adora, a própria morte. Terra adorada Entre outras mil És tu, Brasil,s Ó Pátria amada! Dos filhos deste solo És mãe gentil, Pátria amada, Brasil!	Eternally laid on a splendid cradle, by the sound of the sea and the light of the deep sky, thou shinest, O Brazil, finial of America, illuminated by the sun of the New World! Than the most elegant land abroad, thy smiling, pretty prairies have more flowers “Our meadows have more life”, “our life” in thy bosom “more love”. (*) O beloved, idolized homeland, Hail, hail! Brazil, of eternal love be the symbol the starred banner thou showest forth and proclaim the laurel-green of thy pennant ‘Peace in the future and glory in the past.’ But if thou raisest the strong gavel of Justice, thou wilt see that a son of thine flees not from battle, nor does he who loves thee fear his very own death. Beloved Land, amongst a thousand others art thou, Brazil, O beloved homeland! To the sons of this land thou art a gentle mother, beloved homeland, Brazil!

Posted by DAVE W at6:24 PM

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