A series of photo essays: the purpose is to show images of both the extraordinary and ordinary from places I have loved. The first is Brazil, from the almost surreal landscape of Rio to ordinary details like stopping for coconut water. Enjoy.
I spent a rainy few days in Rio de Janeiro. Here more rain is coming. (Taken from atop Corcovado.)
The diversity and beauty of the plant life never cease to amaze me.
My niece, Ana Clara, gnawing on sugar cane, a popular treat among old and young.
A butterfly in my sister-in-law’s yard.
My first trip to Brazil included a few days in Visconde de Mauá, a rural, mountainous area where the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais meet. Everywhere I looked was green. It is one of my favorite travel memories.
Banana trees are common in people’s yards. Isn’t it gorgeous?
Tucked down a dirt road and up a hill in the immense Mata Atlantica forest sits Tio Olivá’s tiny house. Home-cooked food and plenty of warm smiles await inside.
Fantastic examples of modern architecture abound in Brazil. One of my favorites is MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo) in São Paulo.
Brazilians are in general very warm, out-going people. I love how these two women clasp each other’s arms as they stop for a chat in Parque Trianon, São Paulo.
In Rio de Janeiro, the play of nature and urban life fascinated me; here you can see the way buildings nudge up against the hills and sprawl out toward the ocean.
A view from the top in Monte Verde, a rural area in the state of Minas Gerais.
Passionfruit is one of the many cheap and delicious fruits widely available.
No time on the beach would be complete without stopping at an água de coco (coconut water) vendor.
In big cities and small towns, roadside trucks selling coconut water and sugar cane juice are everywhere.
Brazilians love their pork products.
Paraty is on just about every traveler’s list because of its colonial architecture, bright colors, and seaside location.
Christ the Redeemer
São Paulo
I’ve been traveling to Brazil every year since 2000, so I’ve had a lot to say about it. You can see more of my posts about Brazil here.
While you hit some of the famous landmarks, you definitely shared a side of Brazil many people don’t see or experience!
Thanks, Jeremy!
Wow — the magic really comes out in that fifth photo. Thanks so much for sharing parts of Brazil not everyone gets to see. I’m guilty of having only been to Rio — so far!
Thanks, Abby! The fifth photo was taken on the grounds of our B&B. That area was so peaceful, with lots of waterfalls.
Very cool sharp pictures! Really nice photo essay of Rio.
I’ve never been to Brazil, but your pics look amazing!
thanks for sharing
Thanks for your sweet insight into what Brazil means to you — nice to see such a personal perspective.
Paraty look pretty quaint. I want to go to there.
Brazil is such an amazing country! This is why I definitely want to visit there someday. Awesome photos!
Yes, amazing is right! Thanks for stopping by, Bob!
Que era bonita. Você fala português ainda?
Falo!
Nice photos, too bad you got rained on while in Rio, you need to go back when the weather is nicer (in July it should be, not a lot of rain during the winter there). And now I know that you speak Portuguese
You’re right, I learned Portuguese back when I met my husband and have kept it up and learned more from being around his family and wanting to understand everything when visiting them and when my husband speaks Portuguese with our kids.
I definitely want to go back to Rio, and it would be so nice if we were there without so much rain. I think it rained every day we were there.