Blogs from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, South America - page 5

Given that it was already dark when we arrived we grabbed a cab and checked into our hotel, the Estacao Palace. Next we head into town to find a bite to eat. As the books suggest Curitiba is a modern town and the roads are neat without having much interest at this time. We are fast finding out that restaurants open and close quickly so even recommendations from recent guides sometime no longer exist and this being the case we took a risk on the Arrumadinho Cafe Bar where we were served massive burgers and salads, wine and beer for a very reasonable price. Another good find.... read more

Day 228 - Monday 5 May I arrived in Curitiba about 7.30 in the morning and headed straight for the train staion next door. The planet says theres an unforgetable train ride from here through the mountains towards the coast. Russ who did it a few days ago says its ok. I was all set to buy my ticket when I had a change of heart. I've already seen similar scenery on my trip so far and will no doubt see more as I head further north. I decided to put it off until tomorrow. So instead of the train ride I decided to find some accommodation for the night and then explore the town. I'd only been gone 10 mins from the bus station when I got a feeling its just like any other small ... read more

Having arrived at the Falls quite early, we didn´t really need to stay overnight in Foz do Iguacu, and instead got a night bus to Curitiba, 9 hours away. Curitiba is one of Brazil´s model cities, regarded worldwide as an exemplar of urban planning, and a very desirable place to live. There´s not much for the traveller, however, and the reason we came here was actually for the trip *out* of the city - one of Brazil´s last train lines runs from Curitiba through mountains and rainforest to a town called Morretes and eventually to the coast, and it´s supposed to be a stunning journey. You´ll probably note the use of the word "supposed" as unfortunately we didn´t get to experience it! Our guidebook states that trains leave at 8 and 9am, as does the train ... read more

Since we have been away we have both adopted the idea that whilst we travel through other countrys and invade other people's lives - as long as we are polite, aware and willing to adapt then good luck and good fortune will follow us around - a sort of traveller's karma if you like. This theory may just be a load of hippy nonsense and I may be being a little over reflective as our trip draws to an end but as the rest of this blog goes to show....someone is smiling down on us. We first met Adriana and Betina 9 months earlier on a boat trip in Halong Bay and thanks mainly to this website have stayed in touch ever since. And as every month has passed their original offer of a place to ... read more