“O Senhor é o meu pastor;
nada me faltará.”
– Psalm 23:1.
Jesus te ama
Catholic state
I’ve been to many places where religion plays an important role, but Brazil seems to rule them all out. Christianity is of massive importance here and even the housenumber signs remind you to smile – because “Jesus loves you”. You can’t omit seeing catholic statements nearly everywhere.
Nature wonderland
The history of Ilha Grande – an island 150 km west of Rio de Janeiro – is somehow dark and contrasts heavily to its current beauty. First, the island was the Brazilian equivalent to Ellis Island; European emigrants had to stay on the island before coming into the country. Later the island became a sick bay in time of Leprosy and until 20 years ago: A high security prison.
Continue reading “Nature wonderland”Gateway to paradise
Well, Angra dos Reis is no beauty. The town 150 km west of Rio de Janeiro is mostly known for being an important port for travellers going to Ilha Grande. When I arrived I had to give back my rental car at the agency Localiza. My GPS system was directing me to a strange place where no rental company was to be suspected.
Continue reading “Gateway to paradise”Swimming with the fishes
The bay of Paraty is absolutely beautiful and can be easily enjoyed during an escuna tour on a traditional sailing boot. As Paraty is an important vacation destination for the cariocas (citizens of Rio de Janeiro) there is a big tourism industry and many ships look like party boats.
Where the crabs live under the pavement
I’ve not been to Portugal so far, but I’ve already seen a traditional Portuguese city: Paraty (sometimes written Parati). When the Portuguese wanted to get gold from Minas Gerais they anchored in the bay of Paraty close to the village of a native tribe. They followed an already existing trail into the mountains to find the good they were searching for.
Continue reading “Where the crabs live under the pavement”Pousada Corsario
The Pousada Corsario in Paraty is like a gated community of small houses next to the river and not far away from the historic city center. The houses are simpel but I really enjoyed lying in my hammock in front of the room. At the time I’ve been in Paraty, there where not many guests and it was a quiet and pleasant stay.
Continue reading “Pousada Corsario”The Possibility of an Island
When the people of São Paulo need a break from their city they often travel to one place: Ilhabela. It is an island located only some minutes (approximately 7 km) by ferry from São Sebastião. How many people go there in summertime can be easily seen when you follow the waiting line for the ferry boat: It winds through São Sebastião in an enormous length.
Continue reading “The Possibility of an Island”Ilha de Toque Toque boutique hotel
When arriving in São Sebastião, belonging to São Paulo, I was in trouble finding my hotel, the Ilha de Toque Toque boutique hotel. As the name suggests, it might be on an island (ilha). I entered the street adress into my navigation system and was led to a strange place within São Sebastião.
Continue reading “Ilha de Toque Toque boutique hotel”Road trip from Santos to Rio
Brazil is a country with a lot of tropical rainforest. Many areas are quite unreachable and in earlier days some places could only be reached by boat. That is why some cities exist: Especially the Portuguese colonial masters arrived with their ships at the coast and had to walk into the mainland to find gold (for example in Minais Gerais).
Continue reading “Road trip from Santos to Rio”