maciosblog

2009-06-10T21:08:00.004+02:00

To be in Rio de Janeiro with Carolina, Eduardo, Anja and Alex was just just amazing.
We enjoyed the time together...snorkeling in Arraial do Cabo, Partying in Lapa, going to the beach in Copacabana and Ipanema, in the train to the Corcovado and in the cable car to the Sugar Loaf! Just a great time guys!

On the next day after having lunch we went for a walk in Copacabana Beach to enjoy the remaining time together.

Eduardo, Carolina (lying) and Anja at the Copacabana Beach.

Taking a rest and letting time pass by. Alex!

Painting Copacabana in Copacabana.

Time to say good by to Eduardo and Carolina.

Anja and Carolina.

Eduardo and Anja.

My feet on the Copacabana promenade...they'll be back there!

From Rio de Janeiro we took the flight to the Northern to visit my family. My parents, brother and sisters live in Maranhao. I grow up there before living to go to the University and, after that, to Germany.

Wanna know where it is?Take a look at the next post!

See you soon...Mácio!

End of the night in Lapa!

2009-06-07T18:25:00.002+02:00

Meeting an old friend of Carolina and Eduardo in Lapa. Let introduce you to Bob!!

Eduardom Bob and Carolina (from the left).

Me, Alex, Bob and Anja (from the left).

More party in Lapa. Me and my dearest Carolina.

End of our party night under the Lapas Arches.

Just a great place to party and meet people!
Next post with our last pictures from Rio de Janeiro.

See ya!

Mácio.

Lapa: the party quarter!

2009-06-07T14:03:00.008+02:00

Our last night in Rio de Janeiro we spent in Lapa. Lapa is an alternative, cult party quarter in Rio de Janeiro.
Where is the Lapa quarter?

View Larger Map

Very famous for its Arches (Arcos da Lapa ) also called Aqueduto da Carioca (Carioca Aqueduct), the ancient Santa Theresa's Tram (Bondinho de Santa Teresa) and many bars, discos and shows . Friday night you can find all kind of parties and people on Lapas streets.

LAPA!!!

Preparing for the night Anja and Carolina.

Carolina lived in the quarter for a couple of years and knew the right places to go and the right things to see.

Lapas Arches and the party seeking people on the Friday night.

More party seeking people: Alex, Me and Eduardo (from the left)...

...and Alex and Carolina.

Let's go disco!

We really had a lot of fun that night! (Anja, Eduardo, Alex and me (from the left)

Later on they made some Rio de Janeiro Funk kind of music in the disco. The locals just go crazy with its hard beats and kinda "dirty" texts! Get a taste of it on the next video.
The sound quality is not the best one but you can get a feeling of it.

On the next post some more pixx from Lapa!

See you!
Mácio.

The Christos Statue on the Corcovado Mountain!

2009-06-06T16:33:00.005+02:00

The Christos Statue seen from city of Rio de Janeiro

Getting closer...from the Tijuca Forest (Mirante)

Already there...at the feet of the Statue...

...a few steps closer...

...and finally there. Great place!
From the Corcovado mountain you can have a great view from Rio de Janeiro,...

..., the sugar loaf in the Guanabara bay,...

..., and the Rodrigo de Freitas lake!

So, what would you say?
Next time we are going to have some party in the cult and crazy Lapa Square in Rio de Janeiro!

Bye,

Mácio.

Tain to Corcovado!

2009-06-06T14:21:00.003+02:00

At the hall of the train station on the Cosme Velho Street, 513.
Alex and I were waiting for the next train going to the Corcovado mountain to see the Christos Statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Alex and...

...I in the train wagon.

Unfortunately, up there seemed like this. Totally messed up weather...

...but we still had a good mood and enjoyed the moment.

There were another beauties to see on the top of Corcovado.

Don' get upset! Next post I'll publish some pictures from other visits of mine to the Corcovado.
You surely will enjoy the view.

Till there!

K&H
Mácio

Up to the Corcovado by train!!

2009-06-05T21:01:00.005+02:00

After leaving the sugar loaf (pao de acucar) we wanted to go to Corcovado Mountain and see the Christos Statue up there. Although the weather became cloudy Alex didn't change his mind. Well, we didn't know when we'd come back to Brazil again.

To get the from the sugar loaf/Urca square we took the bus line to the Cosme Velho Square on the Praca Ozanan. To reached the the bus stop on the Praca Ozanan we walked approx. 10 minutes on the direction shown on the following map. Arriving there we asked some people and they've shown us which bus we should take. No problem at all!

View Larger Map

As we arrived on the Cosme Velho Square and took off of the bus on the street with the same name (Rua Cosme Velho) many taxi drivers came to us asking if we didn't want take their taxis up to the Christos Statue . Don't do it!

It's much more interesting to take the train up there just on the other side of the street. You'll pay the same price (in March 2009, R$ 36 approx. EUR 14 or U$ 18), you can stay up there as long as you want, you just have to pay attention to the schedule of the train. Besides you can enjoy the view of the Tijuca Forest. The railway goes direct through the forest.
Hear me! I've been up there 4 times and tested both possibilities!

For more information about the "Trem do Corcovado" there is the internet page from Trem to Corcovado www.corcovado.com.br.

Along the way up there, there are some surprises. So, I've recorded almost the whole trip and you can enjoy it on the nexto to short videos!

Have fun!

At the end of the trip there were some carnaval party in the train. Really great!

In the next post there'll be some pictures from the view on the Corcovado...unfortunately, bad ones cause the weather really messed up! No worries, I still have fantastic pictures from prior visits.

Till next post!

Mácio.

Going back down!

2009-06-03T21:42:00.002+02:00

The city of Niterói can bee seen at the other side of the Guanabara bay. Niteroi is famous for the works of the famous Brazilian architect Oskar Niemeyer. In this city you can find many contructions developed by him, including the Museum of Contemporaneus Art.

Going down! view from the cable car.

The red beach on the right side of the sugar loaf, right on the Praca General Tiburcio.

Next stop: the ground!
The red beach and the Praca General Tiburcio seen from the cable car.

Ok! He we are again, back to the ground!

Thank you guys for coming along!
Next time I'll be posting pix from our frustrated attempt to see the Christos Statue: The Corcovado!

Till then!
Mácio.

Seeing Rio de Janeiro from the top of the sugar loaf (Pao de acucar)

2009-06-03T21:23:00.003+02:00

Here we are with some more pictures from the sugar loaf (pao de acucar) in Rio de Janeiro. This time with a great view from the city...downward!!

Copacabana beach seen from the highest point of the sugar loaf.

One of the many little islands at the coast of Rio de Janeiro.

Alex and I up there...the kind of memorial picture!

The from the downtown of Rio de Janeiro. The little green area is the Santos dumont Airport and the line over the Guanabara Bay (click on the picture to maximize it) is the Rio-Niteroi Bridge with its almost 14 km.

A fortress on the feet of the sugar loaf!

The last series of pictures from the sugar loaf on the next post!
K&H
Mácio!

Up to the sugar loaf (pao de acucar) in the middle of Rio de Janeiro!

2009-06-01T12:15:00.006+02:00

Sugar loaf (pao de acucar) are two enormous rocks in the Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro. With a lot of imagination you can associate the shape of it with a "sugar loaf".

View Larger Map

Every time I go to Rio de Janeiro I get new reason to go visit that rocks. This time I brought Alex up there.

How to reach them?
You have to go to the quarter called Urca. There are buses direct from Copacabana going there. Last March/2009 I was charged R$ 44 ( approx. US$ 23 / EUR 16) to go up with the cable car. In the middle of the way you have a stop before reaching the top of the second biggest rock.

So, let us go to the pictures!

The entrance to the cable cars in the Urca quarter.

The view of the sugar loaf from the Praca Gen. Tiburcio.

Taking the cable car up to the sugar loaf.

Alex on the first stop with the second and highest rock on the background.

Going up to the highest point with the cable car. Copacabana beach can be seeing on the left/top corner.

More pix direct from the top of the sugar loaf on the next post!

See you!!

Mácio.

The last stop in the bay of Arraial do Cabo

2009-05-31T22:10:00.003+02:00

The last pictures to finish the series about our boat trip in Arraial do Cabo.

Carolina playing the little mermaid!

Arriving to a restaurant in one of the beaches of Arraial do Cabo.

The "Poet". Our boat!

A toast at the end of a great adventure on a piece of paradise on earth!
cheers!

See you next time on the sugar loaf in the middle of Rio de Janeiro!
K&H!
Mácio!

2009-05-31T19:46:00.002+02:00

HelloooOOOOO everybody!

Guess how do I call this picture?

Come on! Let us follow some fishes...I didn't think snorkeling was that easy and fascinating.
I'll surely come back to do it again.

The dearest lovely great friend of mine, Carolina. Just love this girl!

One more great picture of the hungry frigates literally stealing the calamaris from the other birds!

Almost at the end from our visit to Arraial do Cabo!

See you all guys!
Mácio.

Still in Araial do Cabo.

2009-05-31T19:09:00.005+02:00

Swimming in the cave....brrrrr! That was "this" cold!

Birds diving and fishing the calamares...very interesting to see that!

(from the left) Anja, Eduardo and Carolina amazed by the beauty of Arraial do Cabo.

Another sea turtle coming to say hello!!

Me exploring the beach!
HellooooOOOO!

We just fished this mermaid..lol!

Everybody together and amazingly happy!!! It couldn't be different in this wonderful sea.

The stretched man and the blowing fish!

Me and Angelo, our Capitan, in the boat "Poet". Very nice guy!
If you're planing to see this paradise don't forget to search for this guy in the harbor of Arraial do Cabo.

Isn't it just wonderful?
See you next time guys!!

Mácio.

2009-05-31T18:14:00.003+02:00

A satellite view from the bay in Arraial do Cabo

View Larger Map

The unbelievable blue sea in Arraial do Cabo...

...and the sharp line between the deepest areas (dark blue water) and the lowest ones (light blue water)

During the trip in the boat "Poeta" we visited different beaches and caves along the coast.

A famous attraction on the rocks: the "fett face" viewed from the side!

One of the four or five cave we had the chance to see.

I'm still not finished with the pictures from Arraial do Cabo. Thats was the highlight from the whole trip in Brazil. So prepare for more!

Take care guys!
Mácio

2009-05-31T17:46:00.002+02:00

And again...cheeese!!. F(from the left: Me, Alex, Anja and Eduardo in the harbor of Arraial do Cabo.Still in the harbor our first surprise!

To be sure we were safe..!

I've never seen such a crystal clear water before. We enjoyed the stops during the trip so much! Me and Anja!

Me and Alex!

More pix coming...!
K&H
Mácio.

2009-05-31T17:17:00.004+02:00

Maybe some additional informations.
The journey from Rio de Janeiro to Cabo Frio took almost three hours with a van we took in the Rio de Janeiro bus station. The price: 25 R$ approx. 13 U$/ 9 EUR. From Cabo Frio we took a line bus until Arraial do Cabo.

In Arraial do Cabo we searched for the boat "Poeta" (The Poet), which was recommended by a great friend of mine. She has been in Arraial do Cabo a couple of weeks before we did. The boat trip took more than 4 hours. Amazing!!!

View Larger Map

So, here you have more pictures from Arraial do Cabo!

View along the way...

...and arriving in Arraial do cabo!

View from the bay.

The harbor in Arraial do Cabo where we started our boat trip.

All toghether waiting to start the trip...cheeeese! (Carolina, Alex, Anja and Eduardo)

Till next post!
K&H...Mácio.

Going to Arraial do Cabo...the paradise!!

2009-05-29T23:39:00.003+02:00

Where is Arraial do Cabo??

View Larger Map

Carolina, Anja, Eduardo, Alex and I had a great time. Take a look at the pictures and you'll understand why!!

Leaving with the boat...

Carolina and Eduardo!

Visiting a cave in one of the many beaches on the bay of Arraial do Cabo.

1, 2, 3,...here we gooooOOO!

Many hills along the coast.

Really a paradise on earth!
More pictures from Arraial do Cabo are coming!!

Back...with some news!!!

2009-05-24T20:22:00.002+02:00

Hello everybody!!
It has been a couple of months since I posted last time. I was in the middle of my trip in Brazil, in March, as I did it.
Now I'm living in a new flat, continue have the violin lessons, playing volleyball every Thursday, making party with friends and having some fun just how it should be.
I'm back with new posts. I intend to post all the pictures we took in Brazil...promise!! and keep telling you what's happening around here!

Keep in touch!

K&H to all of you,
Mácio.

2009-03-12T06:38:00.003+01:00

Another view from ipanema

Anja, Alex and Me (from the left) in Ipanema

Anja drinking Guarana!!

The beach makes us happy!

The pedra do arpoador (arpoador's stone) separating the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches

Carlos Drummond de Andrade talking to Carolina,...

to Anja,...

Alex,...

and Me.

Inspired by the Pedra do Arpoador.

On the Pedra do Arpoador!

Meeting Carolina later on the Pub Mug Bug in Copacabana.

(from the left Me, Anja, Eduardo, Carolina Nr 2, Carolina Nr 1 and Alex)

At the beach!!!!

2009-03-12T06:08:00.002+01:00

In Copacabana

The sea at Ipanema beach

The morro dois irmaos (two brothers mountain)

A perfect day for a sunbath, fresh water, clean sky and burning sun!!

Anja and Carolina!!!

Through the bus window

2009-03-12T05:52:00.002+01:00

The green areas

and the mountains....

along the way to Rio de Janeiro.

Arriving at Rio...

a huge city, full of contrasts!

2009-03-12T05:39:00.003+01:00

We arrive in Campinas right on time for the breakfast...Carolina, Eduardo, Alex and Anja

Louvre: The sixth passenger

Anja remembering home...ein Raeuchermaennel!

Going to the bus station....

the last check....Rio here we Goooo!!!

Goodbye in Osvaldo Cruz!!

2009-03-12T05:08:00.003+01:00

Joao, Thais, Neusinha, Dirceu and Rose (fro the left) at the bus station!

Dirceu and Me

Adriano and Alex...brothers??

Grandma Leticia....

Orchid at Grandmas garden!

Thank you all guys!!

The way to Rio de Janeiro!!!

2009-03-12T04:45:00.002+01:00

After leaving Osvaldo Cruz we took the the bus to Rio de Janeiro.
Along the way we made a stop in Campinas, State Sao Paulo, to meet Carolina and Eduardo.
We went together to Rio!!!

Exibir mapa ampliado

2009-03-03T19:37:00.002+01:00

Today we are leaving Osvaldo Cruz and going to Rio de Janeiro. Along the way we'll stop at Carolina and Edu's place in Campinas. They will join us to Rio.
We'll probably have very high temperatures over there.

Regards to the visitors from
Maize-Kansas, Humboldt-Tennessee, Granville-West Virginia and New York in USA.

Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt, Solingen, Leverkusen, Wuppertal, Hatzfeld und Bretten in Germany.

São Luiz, fortaleza, Natal, João Pessoa, Campina Grande, Aracaju, Goiania, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Guarulhos, Campinas, Londrina e Porto Alegre in Brazil!!

See you guys!!

More pix from Osvaldo Cruz & Parapuã!!!

2009-03-03T15:33:00.010+01:00

Leaving the club (Clube dos 30 em Parapuã)...only chance after the club was closed!!

Alex and Thaís...

...(from the left) Me, Anja and Thaís.

During the grill party in the club...Cloous (Cláudia) and Alex!

Cloous!...

Another angles from Osvaldo Cruz...

Nail in the wall,

dead tree,

...!

On the way to Osvaldo Cruz...country side !

2009-03-02T05:18:00.002+01:00

The green along the road from Sao Paulo to Osvaldo Cruz ...

...through the bus window.

In Osvaldo Cruz!

Good bye to Sao Paulo!!

2009-03-02T05:00:00.004+01:00

Leaving Fernando and his Orchidees...

Thank you for the great time to Ling, Miguel, Fernando, Kelly, Carolina, Thiago....

Here we go...next stop...Osvaldo Cruz!!!

Party!!!

2009-03-02T04:37:00.003+01:00

At the disco Disco Queen on the Street Vieira de Carvalho...

...great show for all!

Second disco in the night...Danger!

We had a great time!

More from Sao Paulo...from the sky!!!

2009-03-02T04:12:00.002+01:00

(from the left) Carolina, Kelly, Me and Anja at the top of the Edificio Italia (Italy Building) on the Ave. Ipiranga.

If you want to see Sao Paulo, this is the place...but nevermind if you meet any uncurtious waiter along the way!!

The corner Ave. Ipiranga with São João (Have you heard about Caetano Veloso?) . Kinda cliche...although...Ive been there too!

The "jungle of stones"

The city hall.

Exploring Sao Paulo and meeting friends!!

2009-03-02T03:52:00.004+01:00

Estação da Luz

Taking the train to Sao Caetano at the Brás Station!

Kelly and Fernando...thank you guys for the great stay in Sao Paulo!!

Grill party at Juliana and Jaime's in Sao Caetano...great to meet you..
hope to see you soon!

Finally in Sao Paulo!!!!

2009-03-02T03:32:00.008+01:00

At the international airport Guarulhos

Meeting great friends in (from the left Carolina, Edu, Anja, Carolina N.2 and Fernando, our host in Sao Paulo)...

at the Mercado Central (central market) for lunch!

The best place for juices of tropical fruits and tipical meals!

Summer rain at the...

...Sé Cathedral.

In this case, the solution is drink a bier in a BUTECO until the rain is gone!

CHEEERS!!

First stop...Paris!!!

2009-03-02T03:28:00.002+01:00

Anja and Alex!!!

Leaving Freiberg!!!

2009-03-02T03:20:00.003+01:00

On the train to Berlin!!!!

Hello everybody!!!

2009-03-02T03:18:00.001+01:00

The first pictures of our trip to Brazil!!
Hope youre all doing well...
Kisses and Hugs!!
Macio!!

Brazil...here we go again!!!

2009-01-24T21:38:00.002+01:00

Dear friends…here we go again!!! This time Anja, Alex and Macio

The route of our, next trip to Brazil is planned!! To make things easier and to share our trip with you all I’m publishing again on the maciostravels BLOG!!

So, take a look at the following lines and maps and come to meet us along the way.

So, here we go…

Between the 23^rd February and the 25^th 22 we are going to be in Sao Paulo. We are planning to celebrate the last days of the Brazilian Carnaval there.

View Larger Map
From the 26^th February to the 3^rd March we’ll be in Osvaldo Cruz visiting Alex’s family.

View Larger Map

On the 4^th we travel to Rio de Janeiro where we stay until the 08^th

View Larger Map

From Rio de Janeiro we’ll take a flight to Sao Luis on March the 8^th to visit my family in Santa Ines.

View Larger Map

From Santa Ines we’ll travel along the northeastern coast to Maracajau, little fisher’s village on the north to Natal. It should take from March the 13^th to 18^th.

View Larger Map

Then we drive downwards to Salvador where we stay until March the 22^nd

View Larger Map

On March the 22^nd we fly to Sao Paulo and on the same day back to Germany.

So, dear friends and hope to see you in Brazil and have some fun together…then we miss you all!!

Kisses and hugs…from Macio, Alex and Anja!!!

2008-03-11T21:15:00.010+01:00

After the Buggy ride we went to the beach and enjoyed the blue and warm water. We just walked down the main street of the village....and there we had it!

For refreshing from the we could have a caipirinha from the Jeg's Bar (donkey's bar). A mobile solution found by the locals for the lazy tourists...and even environment friendly!
Take a look at this!!

At the Canoa Quebrada Beach you can spend you time going into the sea with a Jangada,..

..., have a flight over the coast in a paraglide,...

..., enjoy the view from the pier,...

...like Sis and Cláudia,...

...or just have a walk along the cliff...

...and enjoy the natural beauties at the shore.

See you next time on the way to Natal. A city developed by the Dutches at the Brazilian coast!
Thanks for coming along.
Cheers!

Canoa Quebrada Beach Part I: the Buggy Ride

2008-03-04T22:31:00.021+01:00

Hi there!!
After a couple of days without having enough time I'm back to tell about our stay in Canoa Quebrada.

The village stays on a large area covered by dunes. It has a good infrastructure for tourists. Everywhere you can find Europeans down there, they even belong their own resorts and hotels.

View Larger Map

To explore the beach and dunes close to the village we hired a Buggy driver to brung us around there. They offer many different tracks along the coast and in the village. The price can oscillate from R$ 100,00 till R$ 270,00 during the high season.

Let's go to the pictures!

Driving on the cliffs at the

beach immediatly close to the village.

Such a beautiful place: red sand, blue and warm water.

Me at the cliffs with the symbol of Canoa Quebrada.

Sister and Cláudia sitting on the Buggy at the beach...

the ride didn't stop here.

Anja at the cliffs.

View of the village from the highest dune...

...and (from the left) Arlene (Sis), Me and Cláudia over there.

For you to get a little taste of our adventure I made a video during the ride.

After driving a few minutes further we made a stop

on an oasis in the middle of nowhere.

Palms, laguna, windmill...Just amazing!
Canoa quebrada is an amazing beach, with contrastful and iddylic places.

It's totally worth.

After the Buggy ride we went to the village and made a stop at the beach for a couple of hours until late in the afternoon.

This I'm gonna show you next time! ;)

Cheers!

From Pedra do Sal to Canoa Quebrada

2008-02-26T21:11:00.022+01:00

On January, the 6th, around midday we took the road again. This time aiming the Canoa Quedrada Beach (Beach of the Broken Canoe), another wonderful place situated in the State of Ceará (CE) about 600 km far from Parnaíba-PI. (See more about in Wikipedia: Ceará)

View Larger Map

Our initial plan was to go first to a desert Beach called Jericoacoara close to the city Camocim. Unfortunately, we didn`t have much time to stop there cause I had to meet with my friend Jr. in Natal a few days later. So, we drove direct to Canoa Quebrada an left Jericoacoara for the next trip to Brazil!

During the 600 km ride we saw another beautiful part of the Brazilian countryside.

Leaving the city Parnaíba-PI...

...and crossing the Parnaíba River in the middle of the city.
A typical picture in that area: cows crossing the freeway.

I know it quite well from my childhood!

Landscape close to the city Chaval, already in Ceará.

Carnaúba palm trees, source of the carnaúba wax.

(See more at Wikipedia: Carnauba wax)

Church close to the freeway in the city Chaval.

Meruóca mountains situated beetwen the cities Sobral and Tianguá.

Sunset behind the Meruoca mountains.

Once more!
We stopped the ride in the city Itapagé on that day, the half of our way we had behinf us already.

View Larger Map

We slept in an hotel in Itapagé and drove further to Canoa Quebrada on the next day very early.

Early in the morning on January, the 7th, already on the road!

The closest city to Canoa Quebrada Beach is Aracati.

View Larger Map

We arrived in Canoa Quebrada Beach at 11:00 a.m. checked in in one pausada (R$ 100,00 an apartment for 4 people/night) and started to explore the beach.
The best thing to do first to recognize the area is to hire the services of the Buggy's drivers. We only had to ask for it during the check in. All the pousadas an hotels are conected to the drivers.

Next post I'll introduce you to Canoa Quebrada...a fantastic place. Just get the taste...

See you soon guys!

By the way thanks for passing by. Write a comment and say hello! ;)

Parnaiba: Pedra do Sal Beach

2008-02-25T21:03:00.018+01:00

On January, the 5th, late in the afternoon we arrived in Parnaíba-PI. From Parnaíba we still drove a few kilometers up north along the PI-116 until the Pedra do Sal Beach.

See the little "point" at the end of the PI-116 on the map...
that is the Ponta do Sal Beach.

View Larger Map

We took some places on a kiosk at he beach and asked for some coconut water an bier. We relaxed a little while. The trip behind us was really exhausting.

Cláudia,...

..., Arlene, ...

...Anja, ...

... and Me in Pedra do Sal.

On the beach we experienced a fantastic spectacle...the sunset at Pedra do Sal. The most fantastic I've ever seen.
We didn't stop to picture it. See yourselves!

Isn't it just amazing?

The whole way we drove was worthy for this moment.

(by Anja)

Pedra do Sal is actually a little village. There we missed all kind of infrastructure to receive tourists.

The beach was dirty and only two very simple pousadas (kind of hostel common in Brazil) were available. For a night we payed R$ 15,00/person in one of them. Even to find a place to have dinner was difficult.

We got up early on the next morning and after having breakfast we walked to the beach. It was still empty at that time of the day .

This stone is probably the reason why the beach is called
Pedra do Sal (Stone of the Salt)

A fisher between the stones.

Anja (from the left), Arlene and Cláudia
on the stone's top.

View of part of the village.

The Pedra do Sal Beach on the next morning.

Just one way to express how I felt at that place.

Positive points: the people we met there were very helpful and friendly and the natural beauty of the place is just amazing. It's 100% worthy!

That place, like many fantastic others in Brazil, just need an appropriate management and some will to change.

Next time see you all in the blue sea in Canoa Quebrada.
Cheers! ;)

From Lencois Maranhenses to Delta do Parnaiba

2008-02-22T19:15:00.016+01:00

Hi there!

After the great landscapes from the National Park of the Lencois Maranhenses on January, the 5th, we moved to Parnaíba in the neighbour State Piauí (see more Wikipedia:Piauí).

Unfortunately, there isn't any appropriate road along the coast so we had to drive back hundreds of kilometers to get there.

Arriving in Sao Bernardo (See on the map) we crossed the border between both States and reached the city Parnaíba after a while.

View Larger Map

So let me show you some photographs of that area.

Crossing one of the Rivers in the region
after leaving Berrerinhas.

The north-eastern freeways...

...close to the city Chapadinha.

The church's place in a little town along the way.
Here is where everything happens in the cities in that area.

The Mata dos Cocais (palm tree forests): typical vegetation on the State of Maranhao

We needed a lot of time to go through this (damaged) part of the road...

...but fortunately they were recovering it.
ith that blue sky above us...everything was worthy!

One of the typical villages along the way with its houses built of clay.

Locals making use of their natural resources.

The region is covered by lots of rivers.

On the bridge over the Paraibas River, which separates both States:
Maranhao and Piauí.

A view of the Parnaíba River.

See you next time on the Beach Pedra do Sal up north on the State Piauì.
Regards! ;)

Lencois Maranhenses Part IV: Caburé on the Pequenos Lencois

2008-02-19T22:22:00.021+01:00

Hello everybody!!
Let's go back to our boat excursion on the Preguicas River on the way to the Pequenos Lencóis.

Still during our first stop along the way I could take some photographs of local animals that were in a cabin on the (right) riverside. There you could buy something to refresh from the heat and see the animals.

A parrot and...

...and an ape.

We got back in the boat and continued the way until a little village on the other riverside where we visited a lighthouse and had a 360° of all the area around us.

The amazing view covered from the sea, through the river until the Mata dos Cocais (Palm tree forest typical in that Brazilian region) behind us. For sure I made a video showing some of it to share with you guys.

See also a couple of pictures showing the way we came by boat and the village,...

..., the River Preguicas in front of us,...

..., and the way we followed going to Caburé (river downwards).

In Caburé, our last stop we had time to have lunch and relax on the riverside or at the beach.

Fisher's cabins on and...

under the sand, and the Preguicas River on the background (in Caburé).

Well, let me explain. Caburé is very close to the estuary mouth of the Preguicas River. We arrived at the river side, but after a 100m walk through the village...

...and we had the Atlantic Ocean before us.

With lots of shells on the beach.
(Black shells and good memories)

During the stay in Barreirinhas we made new friends, which we met later on the beach in Caburé. These are...

...Me, Raquel and Anja, and...

...Me, Carlos and Anja.

Later in the afternoon we took the way back to Barreirinhas. This time we drove with the boat through the forest and sometimes it became very narrow. See it yourself!

The day light became less and less and the only sound we heard came from the motor of the boat. We could see many groups o birds flying above our heads.

We spent the night in Barreinhas and early on the next morning we drove to the stuary of the Parnaiba River.
There we enjoyed the greatest sunset I ever saw at the beach Pedra do Sal (Stone of the salt)

So guys, see you there tomorrow!
Cheers! ;)

Lencois Maranhenses Part III: on the way to the Pequenos Lencóis

2008-02-18T19:30:00.019+01:00

Hi there!
Today I'll tell you about the second day of our stay in Lencóis Maranhenses. Of course, I selected some pictures and videos to make the whole thing much more interesting.

During our second day in the National Park of the Lencois Maranhenses, exactly January, the 4th, we took a boat in Barreirinhas and drove the Rio Preguicas (Preguicas River) downwards until the village named Caburé on the Pequenos Lencois. For the excursion we've pais R$ 40,00/person.

See the Preguicas River on the map.

View Larger Map

The Preguicas River early in the morning. Taken while
we were waiting for our boat...

...and already on the boat.

There were many groups making the same way along the river.

After a while the most wonderful landscapes started appearing...

I just got amazed when we made our first stop and we had the
chance to make part of it. Me,...

..., Anja,...

...,Cláudia and Arlene (Sister).
Down with you girls!!

It just didn't stop impressing us.
The blue sky on the background contrasting with the moist sand dunes.

It seemed endless.

Some guys had a lot of fun by doing what they call "ass skying".
You sit on a wood or rubber sled and slip the duns down.
This one here was high enough to provide a lot of fun!

Me walking through the dunes.

Just enjoy the view!

Guys! I just got a little enthusiastic with the amount of nice photographs. So I decided to continue our excursion on the next post.
I'll be right back!

Cheers!
Mácio

Lencois Maranhenses Part II: in the Grandes Lencois

2008-02-16T20:45:00.030+01:00

Hello everybody!

Here we are, back in the National Park of the Lencóis Maranhenses. Last time I promised more pictures from that paradise...here you have them!

Arlene,Cláudia, Anja, ...

...and Anja (again) and Me preparing to the ride to the
Grandes Lencóis.

After afte the round 40 min. long ride we reach the Grandes Lencóis. We left the jeep and start walking through the huge sand dunes.

Up with you guys!!

And it seemed like this. Just amazing!

...and this,...

Just amazing, isn't it?

Our companions (from the left Cláudia, Arlene and Anja) through the dunes and under the Brazilian heat.

After an approximately 20 min. long walk we arrived at our goal:
the Lagoa do Peixe (Fish's Laguna). Fantastic!!

One of the many Lagunas that are formed during the rain period and last a couple of months after it.

After the walk under the heat I couldn't wait too long to dive in the Laguna.
So, we spent some time relaxing and refreshing at the Fish's Laguna.

Later in the afternoon we started our walk back
through the "ups" and "downs,"...

...appreciating the lanscape,...

...the refreshing wind (our dear friend Cláudia)...

...and the sunset.

On the way back!

So guys! I hope I could bring you a little from that wonderful place through these images. In the case you have any question or comment just write it down here on "comment". I'd be happy!

*You have many other great pictures in the slideshow upright.

See you tomorrow in our second adventure in the Lencóis Maranhenses. This time
on the Rio Preguicas (Preguicas River)

Lencois Maranhenses Part I: Grandes Lencóis (Big Lencóis)

2008-02-11T21:35:00.005+01:00

Here we are...in one of the most beautiful part of our trip through north-eastern Brazil.

On January, the 3rd Early in the morning we left Sao Luis.
Arlene, Cláudia, Anja and me said goodbye to our friends and took the road on the way to the Lencóis Maranhenses.

This is the track we left behind us.

View Larger Map

The Lencois Maranhenses. Translated it'd sound something like "the bedcovers/blankets of the state of Maranhao". It's metaphorical description for the two huge areas covered by the white sand: the big and the small Lencóis. See more at Wikipedia: Lencóis Maranhenses National Park

The satellite picture shows the big Lencóis (left), the small Lencóis (right) the Preguicas River (between both areas) and the city Barreirinhas.

View Larger Map

We arrived in Barrerinhas around 2:00 p.m., had some time to have lunch and to check in one of the Pousadas of city. Pousadas are very simple and relative cheap (R$ 25,00 each person/night) kind of hostel very common in Brazil.

After that we started a safari like ride (R$ 40,00 each person) in an Toyota Jeep to the big Lencóis.

The first step was to cross the Preguicas River on a ferryboat...

... and drive a couple of kilometers on the sand. The jeep jumped, rotated and slid like I never saw before...and we didn't stop laughing!

...Enjoy it!

After a round 40 min. drive we arrived at the Big Lencóis.

Such a beautiful landscape: blue sky, huge sand dunes, the warm wind! Just amazing!

Unfortunately I'll leave you here for today. Next post you'll have lots of pictures of the Lencóis Maranhenses and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

Till tomorrow! ;)

Cheers!

Sao Luis Part IV: Last night in Sao Luis

2008-02-08T23:48:00.000+01:00

During the evening of January, the 2nd, we went out for dinner and afterwards for a walk through the historical square and in the neighborhood. A quite relaxing occasion to talk to the friends and know about her plans for the future.
Take a look at the places we've been!!

Old houses in the historical square of Sao Luis.

The Fonte do Ribeirao (fountain of the Ribeirao)
in the Rua (street) dos Afogados.
Click here to see it on the map

..its details: an old man's face and...

...a fishhead.

The theater Artur Azevedo
in the Rua (street) do Sol.
Click here to see it on the map.

The Place Maria Aragao (developed by Oskar Niemeyer)...
see Wikipedia: Oskar Niemeyer
...and the Igreja dos Remédios (adapted:Church of the cures)...

...in the place Goncalves Dias (Largo dos Amores).
Click here to see it on the map

To remember the night a nice picture with (from the left)
Arlene (sister), me, Cyro, Santiago e Binho.

I really had a great time in Sao Luis...I think we all had! After a long time to meet my dearest friends and celebrate New Year'S Day together in a great city like Sao Luis was really great.
Thank you all guys and hope to see you soon!

Guess what I'll show you next? ;)

Sao Luis Part III:...still exploring the coast!

2008-02-08T22:19:00.000+01:00

On our way back from the eastern coast of the island Sao Luis we made two stops.
The first one in the city Sao José de Ribamar and the next at the beach Aracagi.

See on the map

Größere Kartenansicht

Sao José de Ribamar is a little city known for a very traditional cultural manifestation called bumba-meu-boi. It's a actually a mix of dance and theater and has origin in the ancient conflicts between colonial rulers, Indians and African slaves in the region.

The statue of Sao José de Ribamar (a Saint) is watching the city...

...right from the coast.

The center of the city with the catholic church.

View from the pier at the bay of Sao Jose de Ribamar.

We drove further to the next beach on the way back to Sao Luis : Aracagi!
There we made a little stop to drink a coconut water. I used the opportunity for taking a couple of photographs.

The Aracagi beach...

...and seagulls

Sao Luis Part II: exploring the coast!

2008-02-06T20:56:00.000+01:00

After celebrating the arrival of the New Year we obviously needed some rest next day e prepare some excursion for the following day.
After some discussion Santiago, who knew Sao Luís well, suggested we could go to some beaches far from the city. So we rent another car, divided in two groups and made our first stop in Raposa (Fox), a fisher's village northeastern from Sao Luis.

Where is Raposa?

Größere Kartenansicht

Raposa is a very poor village, everywhere stinks like dead fish. People leave in stilt houses and the basic infrastructure is missing in that place. Well, besides all this Raposa has a wonderful beach with a fantastic lagoon. I just got the impression that both places don't belong together.
See yourself!!

House and boat in Raposa.

Another view of the village.

A fisher working

Fisher's boats in the lagoon.

Behind the sand bank the Atlantic Ocean.

After a walk through the village we took the way to Panacoatira, a distant and almost unknown beach northern from Sao José de Ribamar (see the road up to the north).

Where is Sao José de Ribamar?

Größere Kartenansicht

In Panacoatira we spent the rest of the day. The beach was really empty, besides us there was only another two groups of people, and a beautiful. Made a walk to some cliffs and went up there using some stairs built on the wall.

The cliffs of Panacoatira...

...and Cyro, binho and Anja down there!

Everywhere at the beach we found some jellyfish laying around. We even tried to to save some bring them back to the water...unfortunately It didn't worked!
Wanna see it??

Till next...tomorrow in the City of Sao Luis!

Sao Luis Part I: New Year's Day

2008-02-04T23:15:00.001+01:00

Yeap!!...December, the 31st must be celebrated!

Besides all the stress trying to catch the bus, running after a cab or looking for the Marlene's Bar we did have a great time drinking a bier at the Litoranea Beach ... and after that at the disco in the historical square!

I really had a great time with great people.

Me and my niece Tayanny...

...my dear old friend Cyro, my sister Arlene and her friend Cláudia...

...close friends Santiago, Fabio (Binho)...and Ubiratan (we met at the beach/on the right)...

...and my dear travel companion and Brazilian discover, Anja.

At 3:00 p.m. in the morning we came back to our hostel and looked like this! :)

For you to get a little of the feeling at the Litoranea Beach I made a tiny video showing some fireworks and with a lot of noise on the background.
Take a look at it!!

...cheers and Happy 2008!

See you tomorrow at the beach!!

On the Way to Sao Luis!!

2008-02-03T22:29:00.000+01:00

On December, the 31st my sister Arlene, her friend Cláudia, Anja and me left my parents' house on the way to Sao Luis on Arlene's car. Sao Luis is 250 km far from Santa Ines.

Größere Kartenansicht

It was a rainy morgen!!

Originally the town was a large village of the Tupinambá tribe. The first Europeans to see it were the French, in 1612, who intended to make it a French colony. They made a fort named São Luís ("Saint Louis"), after Saint Louis IX of France as a compliment to King Louis XIII. It was conquered for Portugal by Jerônimo de Albuquerque in 1615, leaving little time for the French to build a city...(see more at Wikipedia: Sao Luis)

Going to Sao Luis was the beginning of a 7 day long trip through some of the most beautiful beaches of the Norteastern of Brazil...Well, let's slow down.

First we got there and checked in a nice hostel in middle of the historical center (Hostel Solar das Pedras). We met Fábio (Binho), Cyro and Santiago (Santi), friends of mine...and, it couldn't be different, we made new friends.

We started walking around in the historical center with its old buildings famous for the ancient tiles. Take a look at...

Next I'll show you how we spent our New Year's Evening!!

In Santa Ines Part IV: visiting Pindaré-Mirim

2008-02-03T21:38:00.000+01:00

The next close city we visited is called Pindaré-Mirim. A fisher's village 10km far from Santa Ines.

Where is Pindaré-Mirim?

Größere Kartenansicht

I used to come to Pindaré-Mirim to visit some friends and to celebrate the Carnival, which is very famous in the region around here.
Pindaré-Mirim is kinda traditional city and known for the old building in the center of the city, where sugar from sugarcane used to be produced (Engenho Central).

The floating bars in the rive that baptized the city...

...and the tree with lots of sloths are well known in the vicinities.

In Santa Ines Part III: visiting Bom Jardim

2008-02-03T14:49:00.000+01:00

During our stay in Santa Ines we took a day to travel to other cities in the vicinities to visit some friends or just for fun.

The first one we visited was Bom Jardim. Very little city where we, my family, lived, before moving to Santa Ines. Although its just a 15 min. by car far from Santa Ines I don't remember exactly the last time I've been there.

Where is Bom Jardim?

Größere Kartenansicht
Bridge over the Pindare-Mirim River on the way to Bom Jardim
View of the river and the landscape
The nicest experience in Bom Jardim was to visit the facilities of the Elementary School I went to in my childhood. More exactly I left that school 20 years ago. It has changed a little bit, but I still could recognize some places where we used to play. The structure of the classrooms are still the same...take a look at...

..the main entrance,...
...here I had my 3. class as I was 9 years old...
an here I had the 5th class. Unbelievable that so much time has passed!!

We used to climb this wall and walk around the whole school hanging on it.

Let me introduce you Dulce. This girl went with me in the same classes around 20 years ago. Occasionally she works at the school today. She didn't remember of me but I did recognized her in the moment I saw her.
Unfortunately in some corners of Brazil the schools are still like the one I've been at. Sad that the politicians don't concentrate their efforts on making them better.

In Santa Ines Part II: Xmas in the tropics!!

2008-01-29T21:42:00.000+01:00

December the 24th arrived and together came Santa Claus, Presents, Eat, Drink...everything but snow. Well, in the tropics we have to survive Xmas without snow, and it works quite well! :)

Dear friends, believe it or not, 4 years have passed since I saw my family last time and 10 years since all the family celebrated Christmas together.
So, we had enough reasons to do it!

The big family (from the left) Monica (sister), Joao (brother-in-law) behind her, Claudia (sister) standing in a red dress, Tayanny (niece) also in red, me, Arlene (sister), Francisca (Mom) wearing glasses, Jose (brother), Paulo (brother-in-law) and José Cláudio (father) sitting...did you get it? No? try is again.

...and the big family's victim. :)
Ok! I'm not going to lye to you...there were two of this!!

Santa Claus has been very nice this year!! :)

Let's start with the grown up kids...

(from the left...and also from the youngest)
Cláudia, Me, José, Monica and Arlene

...now with responsible for these kids!

(in the middle) my Dad José and my Mom Francisca...the rest you've iintroduced to already ;)

My little and pregnant sister!

My dear Anja in the middle of the shouting family!!

Any similarity? not occasionally!!

and here?...neither!!

Anja shouldn't miss any affection in when so far from home...soooo!!

In Santa Ines Part I: Anja`s Birthday

2008-01-29T21:14:00.000+01:00

On December the 22nd we landed in Sao Luis after and my father, my sister and my niece were waiting for us in the airport. After a 4 four hour trip we arrived in Santa Ines around 7 p.m.
Coincidentally the Anja had birthday on the same day.

Nice as I am, told my Mom before so she could prepare a little surprise for Anja. And it worked...

...we just had the time to take a shower. Family and friends were already waiting to sing the "Happy Birthday!" to Anja.

There was manioc cake (occasionally my preferred...only occasionally) and pineapple pie!! hmmm!

The first gifts from my Mom...

and some more from my eldest sister (Arlene).

I really think at that moment Anja was'nt missing Germany tha much. :) ...Nice necklesses aren't they?