Brazil - Beautiful and Diverse

Eileen and friends pose beneath Rio’s famous statue

Brazil's national bird, the toucan

Eileen in Pelourinho, Salvador

Typical street scene in Pelourinho, Salvador

Famous panorama from Corcovado

Group sets out on a horseback excursion in the Pantanal

As the plane flew into Manaus, capital of Brazil’s largest state, Amazonas, I was captivated by the enormity of the Amazon river that snaked relentlessly through the dense jungle as far as the eye could see. There was a definite line in the river where you could observe the waters of the Negro and Solimões rivers meeting before carrying on through the verdant rain forest. This confluence takes place near Manaus giving birth to the Amazon river and takes many kilometres to dissipate and form a monotoned body of water.

The following morning we started our journey to a remote Amazon jungle lodge. Leaving our modern world behind, we headed into the dense jungle on an unpaved road, with a bright red tinge, thanks to the mineral-rich clay soil. Once we reached the mighty Amazon’s riverbank, we boarded a small boat and headed upstream for another couple of hours. During this time we encountered many colourful bird species in the water and on the riverbanks as well as the odd village. These communities blended so well with their surroundings, that they would have been hard to spot except for the swift movements of small children, usually chasing a soccer ball, or the odd chicken scuttling out of their way.

The lodge was beautiful and skillfully landscaped so that it blended into the jungle surroundings. After a delicious tropical (fruit) drink, we settled into our rooms before heading out for the sunset river tour. The soft evening light painted a different scene from the one we had traveled through just hours before. The boat was surrounded by flying fish, as I enjoyed the beautiful colours reflected on the river. These fish were attracted by the sound of the motor and would jump out of the water to see what it was. Sometimes they would mistakenly jump into the boat and this usually resulted in a yelp from one of the clients at the shock of nearly being hit by a fish. After a giggle somebody would scoop it up and return it to the water before it came to harm. Then out of nowhere pink flashes sprung up alongside the boat. These were much bigger than the flying fish and the guide explained to us that they were freshwater dolphins. Slightly smaller than their seawater cousins, they moved gracefully alongside the boat, and with the same playful nature for which these beautiful mammals are known. We returned to the lodge shortly after sunset and in the failing light saw scores of glowing red eyes appearing; they belonged to caiman, the more tranquil cousin of the crocodile.

Back at the lodge we sat down to a scrumptious meal that included many meats, fruits and vegetables typical of the region and the classic ‘feijão e arroz’ (black bean stew and rice), that is a staple in most Brazilian households. The following day we were able to go for a guided walk in the rain forest, visit one of the local communities, swim in the Amazon River and also fish for piranhas, quite possibly the world’s most fun fish to catch (because they always bite – the bait I mean).

The next day we headed back to Manaus, to fly on to Brazil’s famous samba city, Salvador, capital of Bahia. Brazil is like many countries in one so in Bahia we encountered a completely different ethnic mix and this was reflected in the faces of the locals and the way of life from cuisine to pastimes. In this coastal city, we encountered many lovely beaches, learned about the local religion and dancing that originally came from Africa. We also savoured a different type of cuisine including lots of scrumptious fresh seafood. One memorable afternoon was spent on deck chairs at the sea’s edge, enjoying the spectacle of surfers, kite and wind surfers while being served a fresh seafood salad and lots of ice cold cerveja (beer) and agua de coco (coconut milk).

That evening we observed a demonstration of Orixa and Capoeira dancing and after that meandered through the cobble-stoned streets of the Pelourinho. This famous suburb in central Salvador is lined with colourful art galleries and boutiques. The tasteful architecture of this historical neighbourhood is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

One of the things I appreciate most about Brazil is its ethnic diversity, which gives rise to interesting customs, fantastic cuisine and a racial tolerance I have rarely observed elsewhere. Brazilians are fun loving, gregarious people and they will give you a genuine warm welcome to their country, whether or not you speak the lingo (Portuguese).

For now I have created two itineraries of Brazil and these are designed so you can appreciate the amazing diversity of this mammoth country. By incorporating internal flights in the programme, we will be able to spend more time on the ground exploring South America’s largest and most populous country.

Brazil is my second home, so it will be a pleasure to help you discover the magic of this beautiful and diverse nation. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, and also if you would like to be added to the “Brazil - Keep me Posted” list. We have not yet put the itinerary information or photos on the web but these are coming very soon as we aim to run the first departure in Jan 2009.