Posts

I found an Enchanted Place in Brazil (Part II)

Image
Dear reader,      The first signs of daylight appeared in the sky and the sun started to rise. So, I left the bus station and started walking through the quiet streets. I had no idea if I was going in the right direction; I just knew that I was aiming to see the historic center of Paraty . I had only seen Paraty's colonial architecture in photos, and those images were already coming to life in my mind.      I kept walking, and the first streets, paved with cobblestones laid in a rectangular pattern, came into view. They were dry because the tide was low and it hadn't rained in the last few days. Those types of streets are called pé-de-moleque and are flooded by seawater when the tide is high. The facades of the houses have a captivating beauty that evokes a strong sense of the past. The symmetry and vibrant colors of the windows and doors, contrasting with the white walls make them really elegant. While observing those walls, I saw a sign telling me that I ...

I found an Enchanted Place in Brazil (Part I)

Image
Praia do Sono, Paraty, Brazil. Photo by the author. Dear reader, I was consumed by an overwhelming desire to feel my knees in the sand, the seawater on my skin, and the salty air on a sunny day. At the same time, I was looking for opportunities to gain field experience and work in contact with nature. Then, something amazing happened: I was selected for a volunteer position at the Paraty Management Nucleus of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), located in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. Besides that, my experience as a volunteer will be a story for another time. I want to tell you about one of the most enchanting destinations in the state of Rio de Janeiro: a beach called  Praia do Sono . I had always wanted to visit that slice of paradise, so, since I was already going to Paraty, I decided to spend two days camping at Praia do Sono , which is located in the municipality of Paraty. I bought a ticket on the FlixBus app from  Campinas Bus...

For my friend coming to Brazil

Image
Dear reader, Brazil is one of the most diverse countries in the world. There are a lot of regions to explore, but you have to visit the Southeast coast of Brazil. I will tell you about Rio de Janeiro, which is the most classic destination for foreigners and one of the most famous cities around the world as well. View of Pão de Açúcar from Praia Vermelha . By the author. The city of Rio de Janeiro presents a lot of tourist attractions, but you have to visit the Pão de Açúcar  (Sugarloaf Mountain). This is a monolithic peak that rises sharply from the ocean and you could go up there by hiking to Morro da Urca  and then taking a cable car. From the top of that peak you will have the prettiest view of the sea. If you want to swim, you could go to Praia Vermelha . It is a good beach option near Pão de Açúcar  and I heard that it may be one of the safest in that area too. However, if you want to go kayaking or surfing you should definitely go to Copacabana and Ipanema beache...