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Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

August 29, 2013 by David Herd

Paraty is only 3 hours from Rio.

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil is a small town backed by mountains on Brazil’s Costa Verde, between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.  Without any doubt this wonderful village is one of my favorite locations in Brazil.

Once a year, when the great Rio De Janeiro carnival takes place, the coastal town Paraty which is located 250 km south west to Rio, holds a unique carnival called the Mud Carnival.

The carnival preserves the ancient local tradition when the Indians smeared their bodies with black mud for medical reasons, and held ritual ceremonies in order to bring cure to the ill. It differs to Rio carnival where the participants wear beautiful coloured costumes, in Paraty the carnival is based on the simplicity between men and nature.

Relax on the beach

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Brazilians love the beach and in Paraty they relax by the sea.

Great view in Paraty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

So many wonderful sights in Brazil.

Peaceful paradise Paraty short drive to Rio

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

A peaceful setting opposite our hotel.

Off to the beach we go.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

A happy family heads for the beach.

Paraty was founded in 1667

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Distinctive Portuguese architecture & Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil.

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

  Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Paraty is one of my favourite places in Brazil.

Earning a buck in Paraty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Paraty is located on the Costa Verde (Green Coast), a lush, green corridor that runs along the coastline of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, it has become a popular tourist destination in recent years, renowned for the historic town and the coast and mountains in the region.

Where are all the customers?

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

It must be siesta time.

Lots of boat trips in Paraty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

OK, let the party begin.

Beautiful sailing boat

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

What a classical shape this beautiful craft is.

Boats at the jetty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

All the boats line up along the wharf waiting for customers.

Waiting for customers

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Pick me, pick me he cries.

How do you reach the top shelf?

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

There must be a ladder here somewhere.

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Red wine, graffiti and guitars.

Beautiful Brazilian girl.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Check out this wonderful Brazilian girl doing the Samba in Paraty.  

  You sexy thing.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

  How sweet she is. 🙂 

My favourite photo

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

  It’s Probably not hard to guess why this is my favourite photo, a rose between two thorns, I don’t think so. 🙂 Paraty grew in the 18th century as a strategically important port for exporting the gold mined in Minas Gerais. When shipments in nearby Rio began to attract the attention and ambition of pirates and privateers from rival European powers, the Portuguese began using Paraty as their safe port for getting their gold to Lisbon.

Beautiful old colonial buildings.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

This church is one of the most photographed buildings in Pataty, it features among the towns architectural landmarks, the waterfront Capela de Santa Rita, a whitewashed church 

Please click on Google + to help my ranking.   

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Every time there is a high tide the water flows in and all the Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil turn into rivers. 😀

 Dinner & vino in Paraty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Sudzi & I enjoying dinner in Paraty, I can’t wait to visit this wonderful Brazilian gem once again.

One of Sudzi’s photos

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

 Sudzi is actually a professional photographer back in Australia.

Let the games begin.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

I decided to be colour coordinated with the wall.


 

The good ship Lolipop 🙂

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Ok time to explore the surrounding islands.

Waiting for the bus to Rio

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Although the Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil is only a short drive to Rio there are so many people I know who have never made the trip, they have certainly missed out on a wonderful experience. As I said earlier Paraty is only 3 hours from Rio so do yourself a huge favour and put it on your itinerary.

 
 
Magnificent Brazilian girls dancing Samba in Parity.


 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

 

 

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Florianopolis Brazilian Island

August 28, 2013 by David Herd

Welcome to Paradise

Florianopolis Brazilian Island.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Florianopolis Brazilian Island, the photo above is Joaquina beach which is famous throughout the world for surfing. Florianopolis is a wonderful Brazilian city, on January 11, 2009. Newsweek placed Florianópolis in the “Ten most dynamic cities of the world” list in 2006. Veja magazine, a Brazilian publication, named the city as “the best place to live in Brazil.

Barra da Lagoa Florianopolis.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

This was a great place to stay, close to lots of good beaches.

Barra da Lagoa beach.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Barra da Lagoais a fishing village, surrounded by nature and a small town with services like restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets, public transportation. Barra da Lagoa Beach has good waves, clear water and a tropical rain-forest, this makes Barra da Lagoa the kind of place you can easily loose track of time! 

Barra da Lagoa

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

You can spend the afternoon fishing with the locals or explore trails that lead to natural pools and stunning sightseeing spots, simply relax and enjoy the sunset from Prainha, an almost private beach just two minutes away.

Barra da Lagoa

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

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Having fun with the friendly locals.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

My friend Antonio in the blue cap is an extraordinary guy who I met in Florianopolis, in 1999 he rode a bicycle around the world representing UNICEF. His unbelievable journey resulted in meeting Pope Paul at the Vatican and Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan.

Jägermeister shots

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

When in Brazil do as the locals do. 🙂

No dog so he walks his bird.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Reminds me of the song “Come Fly With Me”.

Florianopolis wonderful Brazilian Island

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

These buildings remind me very much of Lisbon.

Let the games begin

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Everywhere in Brazil the beach is everyone’s favorite place.

David Herd living like a king in Paradise.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Recently, Florianopolis has become one of the most popular destinations in Brazil for people who are looking for superb beaches, beautiful scenery, interesting culture and friendly people. It has also experienced a real estate boom, with Brazilians looking for a better quality of life away from the chaos of the big cities, especially from the states of São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul.

Beautiful beaches everywhere in Flori.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

The city proper currently has an estimated population of 420,000 people. The Greater Florianopolis Metro area is home to about 1 million people. Florianopolis is a wonderful Brazilian city which should go on the bucket list for anyone intending to visit this wonderful country.

Joaquina beach

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

A little slice of paradise.

Does my bum look big in this?

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

My apologies folks but this is a question women have been asking their husbands for years.  😆

Our apartment in Barra da Lagoa.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Only a short 10 minute stroll to the beach.

You don’t mess with these guys.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

  From what I have heard they are as mean as they look.

I would like to inspect the end of that tattoo.

 

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

This lovely lady worked on the beach at Barra da Lagoa.

Tall & tanned & young & lovely

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Now that’s a girl worth following. 🙂

Joaquina beach

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Absolutely stunning.

Farewell from Flori.

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

What a fabulous part of the world. 

Thanks for visiting my Florianopolis Brazilian Island photo blog.

That’s all folks

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Brazilians don’t need a visa to visit Thailand. Please check out my webcam.      

Pattaya Beach live webcam

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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More photo blogs here;

   I remember hearing this great Brazilian band for the first time 1n 1999 walking down the main street of Foz where  the borders of three countries meet, Brazil, Paraguay & Argentina.

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Brazil Beautiful Exciting Exotic

July 5, 2013 by David Herd

 

Brazil Beautiful Exciting

Brazil Beautiful Exciting

Brazil Beautiful Exciting destination with far too many places of interest to describe in a few paragraphs. Everyone’s favorite including myself is Rio Di Janeiro, one of the most colorful cities on on the planet, however there are many other lessor known cities & towns worth visiting. Paraty is a favorite of mine, the town is located on the Bay of Ilha Grande, 3 hours drive from Rio, which is dotted with many tropical islands. Paraty is known for the  cobblestone paved streets throughout the Historic Center District. No cars or trucks are allowed in this part of town. Check out the video of two very sexy ladies doing the Samba, please click here

Three hours in the opposite direction from Rio is Búzios,  a popular getaway from the city and a worldwide tourist site, especially among wealthy Brazilians and Argentinians. The peninsula is surrounded by 17 beautiful beaches and there are many fabulous restaurants and bars to choose from. It was in 1964, when Brigitte Bardot visited the small town, that Búzios actually became well known.

Paraty

Brazil Beautiful Exciting

Clad in swimwear and rags, slathered in mud, adorned with branches and bones and crying “ooga ooga ha ha”, over 3,000 people parade in Paraty every Carnival Saturday afternoon. Bloco da Lama started a few days before Carnival in 1986 when two friends were catching crabs in the mud mangroves of Jabaquara Beach, about one mile from central Paraty, and completely covered themselves with mud to stave off the area’s voracious mosquitoes and dark giant horseflies.

Apart from well known destinations like Salvador & the Iguazu Falls there are 3 places at opposite ends of the country I would like to recommend,  in the south Florianopolis which boasts of 42 beaches, in 2009 Newsweek  placed Florianópolis in the “Ten most dynamic cities of the world”. An hour north is Balneário Camboriú, with its steep hills dropping down to the sea, is very popular among South Americans but not well known to people from other countries.  The beach is twice as long as Copacabana in Rio and far safer for tourists.

Copacabana.

Brazil Beautiful Exciting

Way up in the north east corner of Brazil is Praia do Pipa, one of the most famous beaches in Brazil, 84 kilometres from the city of Natal. With its crystal-clear waters, fine, white sand it is popular with surfers and backpackers. Rio Di Janeiro however should always be your first choice, the beaches, the people, the food, the music, Carnival, New Years Eve, I could go on forever. At the end of the post  is a video of the amazing NYE crowd all dressed in white along with the nine cruise ships that were moored in the bay.  There is no gathering of people in the world to compare with Carnival in Rio Di Janeiro, do it once before you die. I have been twice to Sambadrome, once way up in the bleachers, and once right at the front, both were great but the front is the best. Sitting opposite me was the beautiful Gisele Bündchen.

I was also at Garota  de Ipanema restaurant for one Carnival with my friend Dave Wylie, there was a huge street party all around us and we had a fantastic night.

Carnival

Brazil Beautiful Exciting

It really is the greatest show on Earth.

Future Super models.

Brazil Beautiful Exciting

This photo in my mind captures the essence of Rio, when these gorgeous kids saw me lift my camera they struck this pose instantly without being asked to do so. Future super models for sure.
 
Thanks for visiting my Brazil Beautiful Exciting photo blog.
 
 
 

New Years Eve in Copacabana, unbelievable! Click here to see all the action.  

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1g Duck

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