Blogs from Distrito Federal, Brazil, South America - page 3

I wasn’t quite sure what I would make of Brazil’s iconic capital city. Brasília, the largest planned city in the world and the only one with UNESCO World Heritage status, is a mish-mash of impressive and elegant modern architecture and characterless and ugly concrete blocks. Located in the dry Brazilian highlands, some 1000km north of Rio and Sao Paulo, Brasília really does feel like it’s in the middle of nowhere. My overnight bus from Sao Paulo (15 hours) arrived at the bus terminal on the outskirts of the city (if I had planned a new city, I would have put the bus terminal much nearer to the city centre). For a city which is known as the cradle of modern architecture, the first few impressions weren’t that great, as the bus station and the shopping centre ... read more

I jumped off the plane and made my way into Rio to meet Viv (still in work mode after the IAU conference that presented our holiday destination by taking place in Rio this time round). Sunrise over the favellas on the way into town was a very atmospheric welcome. We spent most of the first day wandering along Copacabana and Ipanema, taking a dip in the sea and baking in the sun. 40 minutes was enough to lightly roast all sides (or turn Viv quite pink)! The beaches were packed full and very active - the Brazilians don't take the beach lying down but play games, jog or swim. Bronzed bums of all shapes and sizes hang out from the "dental floss" bikinis. In the evening we went to admire the view of Rio from the ... read more

My last week has been one of interesting reflections and fun times. Since monday i have moved up to Aguas Lindas which is in the Federal District of Brazilia...400 km north of Itumbiara. The first thing that struck me when i got here was how much it looked like Kanyamazane in South Africa. The sun is scorching everyday, it has not rained one bit since i got here last monday, the buildings here are constantly being developed in a very brick and mortar kind of roughness all the time, and the only paved ones seem to the main ones or the bus routes. As a result travelling around by car or on the back of a bike, makes for some interesting dust filled rally-type excitement, with more flat tyres then anyone could wish for! I just ... read more

On our last trip to Brazil, I discovered pao de queijo (cheese bread shaped in a little ball). Uel's Aunt Marisa is famous for her recipe so I eagerly asked to learn from her and she happily obliged. So the bread is definitely not new to me, but making it is. I just hope I can get the ingredients in the USA to make them myself! ... read more

We are heading to Caldas Novas today. We'll be travelling by car since it's about a 4 hour drive. Uel and I went there on our last trip. It's a vacation destination for Brazilians since there is a huge water park there. They have many natural spring pools, waterslides, water aerobics classes, saunas, etc. We won't have internet access there so we'll update you when we return on Friday. Have a happy new year!!!... read more