Blogs from Belém, Pará, Brazil, South America - page 2

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 tomorrow. The ticket prices for the boats we hear are usually $R90 but because we are in the middle of July, a vacation month, the current price is $R160 per person! So we paid $R ... read more

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 expect not to have to eat for the next two meals (and often you don't have any money to anyway!!) Anyway, Belem, argh of a bus ride! The roads between Fortaleza and Belem aren't the ... read more

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 line to do so. Dripping with sweat, surrounded by hammocks and bags, I wait in line with my two backpacks and four bags of groceries. I have now discovered the third ring of hell, the ... read more

A week later... The last 7 days have been mainly occupied by different persons we met and spent time with until today in São Luis. English speakers, don´t hesitate to give your comments! For the moment mainly french have reacted. End of Jerri(coacoara), Ceara: The first night was crazy (cf. previous article) as you remember. The followings were very interesting as well. It all started in a restaurant where there were 2 Brazilian musicians performing: Zerca and Suevinho. After the show, they started talking to us. As the restaurant was closing, it ended up on its terrace at the back having a beer talking about Brazilian music and waves... Yeah, they were a bit drunk... but so were we so it was fine. We had a lot of fun indeed and they took us to a ... read more

Hey everyone!! Survived the 6 day boat trip up the Amazon and finally have internet again so will get up to date on my blogs!! first of all.... Belem!! Finally got to Belem after a 36hour coach trip, was quite boring but OK! Michi suggested eating the whole way there so the journey would be more comfortable on my extra padded bottom which i gladly did! Although my first pit stop to get sweets didnt really go to plan as all the "sweets" i bought turned out to be bubblegum!! :o( I thought the woman looked at me a bit strangely when i said i wanted 10 of them! After 5 hours i was bored of reading and the only other thing i could think of to pass the time was to try eating all my ... read more