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Background: Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.

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By Dave125
September 30th 2009

Belem South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

Sunset in Belem

The last couple of days have been busy between buying hammocks and looking at boats for our trip as well as trying to fit in the cultural stuff in Belem. On the first night we went around the markets to find some dinner, we found a lovely little stand kind of thing where we had steak, rice noodles all four around 3euro, not bad eh?!! We tried to find a bar afterwards to have a few drinks but everything seemed to be closed after dark so we had to have a quite night in the hostel. The next morning Phillipe was´s [View Full Entry]

By Dave125
September 28th 2009

Belem - Finally I´m at the Amazon!! South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

Wow...is that facial hair??

After spending another night in Sau Luis we made our way back to the bus station for an over night bus and moved further north. OUrlast day in Sau Luis was nice if rather a little boring, I think we were the only Gringo´s in the city but that wasn´t a problem. The weather was so hot and humid that we could barely walk for longer than an hour before having to head back for the room in our Pousada. The pousada itself wasn´t in the best nick!! The floors felt like they were about to cave in and in the [View Full Entry]

By hkwoody
September 6th 2009

Voyages On The BIG River II South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

The Santarem

We had a choice of 2 boats from Santarem to Belem, one that looked like a converted car ferry, the other that looked like a real Amazon cruiser built in the 40s or 50s. We chose the real Amazon cruiser. Getting onboard was more of a challenge than we expected, the guide books say that ALL boats leave from the Docas do Para which are near the middle of town, but that's not right, the N/M Santarem (our boat) leaves from Porto Derre, an industrial dock about 5 - 10km out of town. It was starting to dawn on us that [View Full Entry]

By Viajerong Pinoy
July 29th 2009

A STEAMY BELEM South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

BELEM

First thing I did when I arrived at the bus station in Belem is to look for internet cafe to figure out how to get to my hostel, i called them on skype then tried to get a bus, according to instructions it's just outside the station so took one from the list i wrote down, I got on and showed the driver a piece of paper where I need to go. He looked at it and pointed me to the street perpendicular to the one I was on, so i walked across the intersection, only the bus stop was far [View Full Entry]

By jlbarbe2
July 7th 2009

Invasao! South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

brazil photos kates camera 061

So today we went to a butterfly and bird garden and to an old fort. Pretty sweet action. We also cooked for about 20 people; black bean burgers and Macoroni and Cheese again, because it was easy and cheap. Belem is a beautiful city and in the future I would like to maybe come back here and spend some more time. We were checking boat prices and found out that the only two boats to Santarem this week are tomorrow and friday. And seeing as how Josh has to be back in Sao Luis by the 15th we are heading out [View Full Entry]

By jlbarbe2
July 6th 2009

Viagem Sem Assalto South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

brazil photos kates camera 038

The title means, "voyage without assault" Well, whether or not the shifty eyed creepy people had anything to do with it, listening to this bad feeling was absolutely the right decision. On the bus today we spoke to a woman who has been robbed 4 times on the buses between Maraba and Belem. She said that out of every 5 buses traveling the roads at night only 1 will make it safely and that these robberies happen every night. We were having this conversation as the sun was setting on our 9.5 hour journey and we still had 2 more hours [View Full Entry]

By linzcrowe
March 24th 2009

Belem and some damn good Amazonia beer South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

Room with a view

Tim Version: * Stayed with an incredibly good couchsurfing host and got to meet a few other CSers around. * Bought my first hammock (my future bed for the boat ride), checked out Belem and enjoyed some seriously good Amazonia brand on tap beer and food! The version that still hasn't learn that when you're at a buffet you don't have to try and eat the whole damn thing: ... however, remember I AM backpacking on a budget! If you can swipe sauce and sugar packets, you do, and that kinda stuff, so when you pay for a buffet you kinda [View Full Entry]

By Chris and Danis Travels
January 13th 2009

Manaus - Bélem South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

After a night in a bed (at long last) in Manaus we headed for the docks early to find ourselves a boat to Santarem. We found one that was already quite packed but slung our hammocks on the upper decks and waited to set off. little did we know that about a million other hammocks were yet to be slung! It was a very cosy journey to say the least, but quite an experience . Fortunately just before we set sail we bought some fruit and cheese sandwiches to keep us going and had plenty of books. The sunsets on the [View Full Entry]

By Coach Merrill
December 21st 2008

Boat Down the Amazon South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

Hammock Jungle

Day 1 (Wednesday) - I am dripping with sweat as I enter and am feeling late as there are already hundreds of hammocks about. I entered on the second class deck, so my only hope is that the first class deck (not much of a difference, primarily proximity to the engines as the first class level is above the second class) is not as full or that Dong Hwan has secured me a place. I try to make my way up to the next level but I am informed that I need to sign the register and there is a huge [View Full Entry]

By STE and ADI
October 18th 2008

Belem South America » Brazil » Pará » Belém

DSC01817

Belem, Belem is a very nice city and there is a lot less poverty here than in many parts of Brazil. On the original flight over from London Stefano got talking to a woman from Belem named Alane and we meet up with her on our first night so she could show us around and took us for dinner. We ate steak as you do in Brazil - Stefano had the Sadam Hussain (which was bloody) and I had the Catherine Zeta Jones...she tasty!!! We spent 4 days in belem and Alane meet up with us to show us around. On [View Full Entry]

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