Blogs from Brazil, South America - page 629

so i left off on thursday but didn't go into much detail about what had gone on that day specifically. i feel like i'm summarizing the last several days each time i write, but i don't write about the present. so here's the last couple days, again! i went to the GYAN office on thursday and met barbara and jefferson, two people who work there. barbara is my age and jefferson is a little older, i think mid-20s. they were telling me all about GYAN/TakingITGlobal TakingITGlobal and some of the projects and events they have sponsored/hosted. jefferson is also working on ICFC. then i got a brief analysis of brazilian political history from the dictatorship until now. basically, every time there's been a president, something happens and the second in command gains power. so now theres ... read more

Bonito is beautiful. The dust roads stretch through town like an Oxfam advertisement, yet the local economy is booming thanks to the diamond-clear idyllic waters flowing in scenic forest nearby. We stumbled off the night-bus, knackered. Travelling is exceptionally tiring anyway, and especially so on a budget where one’s feet are the primary method of transportation and map-reading suffers due to disturbed sleep in noisy dorm rooms. When time is tight, the urge to fill every waking hour with activity is so strong that the traveller eventually finds themselves so completely knackered that there is no option but to do nothing. Like in school, too much learning causes lethargy, and without a break it becomes a chore rather than an activity. But then you stumble upon a place like Bonito. So charming and relaxing that nothing ... read more

So from Belem we got on a riverboat and headed three hours up the Amazon to the Ilha de Marajó. The island is slightly larger than Switzerland and famous for two things - buffalo (which thrive in the swamp conditions) and the scarlet guara birds we encountered in Cabure. Grassy streets where the buffalo roam , beaches , miles and miles of green make this a truly beautiful island and we had a fantastic time there. The first night we stayed in a beautiful pousada set right on top of the ocean. It was that night we ate buffalo steak for the first time (and i tell you it is good) ; whats better though is buffalo cheese - my god its delicious .. After the first night we decided we wanted to try and find ... read more

From São Luis a thirteen hour bus took us to Belem. It really does have the feel of the oldest Amazon port. We had a cool time in Belem, we visited the beautiful botanical gardens where they have a large amount of animals - some live in cages (which we didnt like) , most didnt (which is much better) . It was also where we saw the peixe-boi (Amazonian manatee) a weird river animal (and very rarely seen). We also managed to see a 3 toed sloth - having never seen one before it was a treat - they really do move in slow motion .. Belem also recently converted its docks into a really snazzy waterside place , with loads of restaurants and cafes , live music and a generally good atmosphere. All in all ... read more

From Paulinho Neves we went about an hour up the beach to Cabure. Normally this wouldnt be a major event - however we hired a local guy to take us in his buggy - he was cheaper than the rest - on the journey we discovered why - he basically couldnt drive on sand - which is kind of a key criteria for driving along the beach at reasonable high speeds ! After nearly throwing us out of the buggy twice and then getting a flat tyre - we decided that a 20 minute walk with the backpacks in the baking heat wouldnt be such a bad idea !! Cabure is a bizare place - it is basically a piece of sand - with a major river on one side and the sea on the other. ... read more