What a trip, folks.
I recently returned from a cost-of-living assignment in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. I was gone for a little under a month and visited five different cities, São Paulo, Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Montevideo. It was my first time traveling in this part of the world, and I had a whopping fun time.
In this first of three travel updates this week, I’ll highlight some of my favorite experiences in Brazil. I’ve been trying to take more images while traveling, so I’ll be focusing these three updates around photography.
São Paulo
São Paulo, the world’s seventh largest metropolitan area, is fast-paced, noisy, graffiti-splotched, chock-full of Japanese restaurants and teeming with the vibrancy of a modern, urban Brazil. This is a view from my hotel room, just off of Avenida Faria Lima.
In the early twentieth century, Italian immigrants established a presence in the south and southeast of Brazil. One of their many influences is mortadela, a heat-cured cold cut made from finely hashed pork sausage, deftly spiced and often eaten for lunch.
Manaus
Some of the more popular soft drinks in Brazil are guaraná-flavoured. Guaraná is a climbing plant, native to the Amazonian Basin. Its fruit contains twice the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans. This particular brand of fizz, Baré is only available in Manaus.
Just down the hill from the Hotel Tropical, Manaus’ Negro River feeds into the Amazon River. Many people use Manaus as a launch pad for Amazonian tourism—fishing trips, tree climbing, jungle lodging and the like.
The Teatro Amazonas is a replica of the Palais Garnier (or Grand Opera House) in Paris. It was built in the late nineteenth century during the rubber boom, constructed with European resources—steel walls from England, furniture from Paris and roofing from Alsace.
Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema Beach, the sexiest in the world, home to bossa nova, clean surf and teeny bikinis. Because I got to Rio de Janeiro so early in the day, I was able to catch the last few minutes of a Friday sunrise.
Paulinho, my driver and tour guide for the day. If anybody is looking for an apartment to rent in Rio de Janeiro—for the 2014 World Cup, for the 2016 Olmpics, for a few nights in one of the world’s most beautiful cities—Paulinho promises to offer a great rate.
Sugar Loaf mountain presents panoramic views of what locals call the marvelous city. It can be accessed by cable car and is about 5 miles from Copacabana Beach.
Helicopter tours of Rio de Janeiro are a popular way to see the city, its beaches and favellas, or slums. This image was also snapped from Sugar Loaf. In the distance, Christ the Redeemer.
Tourists atop Sugar Loaf take in a scenic view of Copacabana Beach, one of the world’s most famous stretches of sand.
Christ the Redeemer, made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, stands 130 feet tall and is considered the second largest Art Deco statue in the world. It was constructed in the earlier twentieth century and stands as an iconic watchdog over Rio de Janeiro.
Another view of Christ the Redeemer. Due to its position over the city, the statue endures strong winds and rain and must frequently be restored.
Alright folks, hope you enjoyed. On Wednesday, a similar update from Buenos Aires.
Shane on February 28th, 2011
1
gorgeous pictures. what camera are you using?
[Reply]
Alan Reply:
February 28th, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Hey Shane, thanks for the comment. I’ve been using a Canon PowerShot point-and-shoot. When I scrape up enough money, it’s about time for an DSLR!
[Reply]
John Paul Grant on March 1st, 2011
2
Hey Alan, I am totally keen on Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. Paulinho’s details would be great! Awesome post … I am super jealous!
[Reply]
Leigh on March 2nd, 2011
3
Great post and pictures but you’re making it hard for me to retweet it.
[Reply]
Jordan Bowman on March 11th, 2011
4
Hey Alan,
I lived in Brazil for two years, and these pictures are making me miss it!
Just found your blog and I’m enjoying it.
[Reply]
Bluegreen Kirk on March 14th, 2011
5
Which place did you enjoy the most. A drink that has twice as much caffine a coffee beans is crazy. I was making plans to go to Ipanema beach this year hear its simply awesome. But isnt the fas from Rio?
[Reply]
Ciric on April 30th, 2011
6
Hi Alan,
Just randomly popped in here and what a short and sweet description of your trip! I am heading down there for a conference in June and I am looking to stay there for a little bit (10 days!) and I wanted to hit all the places you did. Just wondering if you could pass on your tour guide’s contact! Beautiful job on the photos by the way, take care!
[Reply]
Alan Reply:
May 17th, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Hi Ciric! Shoot me an email for details. See the contact page. Thanks for stopping by.
[Reply]
Mark on August 9th, 2011
7
I had a 3 week vacation in Brazil 2 years ago. It’s definitely one of the best place I’d ever been to. I’m starving to go back there after seeing your pictures. Oh well, maybe once I have saved enough money for another vacation.
[Reply]
anilizaignacio on October 3rd, 2011
8
Brazil is a best place to visit, because of the places there that nice to be visit.
[Reply]
Allan Murray on October 13th, 2011
9
Sao Paulo, Brazil is truly a wonderful place. There’s no wonder why Miss Universe 2011 was held in Sao Paulo Brazil. I hope I could take another vacation there at the end of the year.
[Reply]
katherine on November 6th, 2011
10
Hi Alan,
Thanks for this article that you made, and also for sharing your wonderful adventure, and foods.
When my brother came back here from Brazil, He brought us mortadela and it really delicious.
Anyway, I want to share this article to my friends who truly admire the beauty of Latin America.
Once again, Thank you so much. ^_^
[Reply]
Marna on November 10th, 2011
11
that’s very awesome cause 3 weeks vacation in Brazil was so very great experience. i wish i can go there for a vacation only just like you.
[Reply]
Manuel Alcantar on November 10th, 2011
12
Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing this to us.
[Reply]
Joan Washington on November 10th, 2011
13
Even though I’m not yet go in Brazil, I hear about some tourist destination there. Wish I visit there someday.
[Reply]
Eliza Vance on November 11th, 2011
14
I want to spend my vacation on this coming summer, i want to see this place in my own naked eye.
[Reply]
Alena Mitchell on November 14th, 2011
15
Honesty speaking, One of the biggest dream of mine is to go to other countries where there is a tourist destination like Brazil.
[Reply]