Explore far and wide , Brazil .

Brazil | Aug 21 - Sep 7, 2024

Nice hotel

Very nice hotel and convenient location.

We had the best experience at the Lodge from the location, ambiance, food and staff.

Beautiful historic building located in a historic district. View of the bay from the dining room windows was magnificient

An historic building converted to a hotel but looks like a beautiful lodge. The entire ambience is so beautiful that we spent significant amount of time walking in and around the hotel. Dining hall is an open air pavilion with an 180 degree view of the nature. Birds simply sit next us while we eat our morning breakfast. We could hear the bird chirping every morning.

Nice hotel

We were impressed with the rich history, medieval architecture and amazing culture in Salvador, the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1763 . Salvador is one of the major points of convergence of Portuguese, African and American Indian cultures of the 16th to 18th centuries. It was also, from 1558, the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations. But today, Salvador is deemed a historic city by UNESCO because of innumerable number of historic buildings. The city has uniquely built defensive upper city upper city with administrative and residential buildings which overlooks the lower city where port activities are centered. Among the places we visited, the one that impressed me was Church of Saint Francis , also known as Golden church

Our driver was very friendly and helpful. Our stay in Paraty was short but we appreciated and enjoyed the time we spent in the Historic Center District

Tijuca One of the best botanical gardens I have seen in a while. The extensive selection of plants and trees are labelled. Many of the species were brought from different parts of the world and plated and grown in this garden. There were many that I hadn’t seen before. I was amazed at how they were able to grow so much in the garden. Tijuca Forest is actually largest urban forest in the world. Also, it is growing on steep mountains located adjacent to Rio. We were told by our guide Alberto Cardoso that Tijuca forest was actually created by the reforestation efforts in the late 1800s. The view of Rio from the top of the forest is amazing. Also, the Christ the Redeemer , a colossal statue of Christ is located at the top of one of the mountain peaks in the Tijuca Forest.

One of the best experiences I ever had visiting this Telegraph Stone . Our guide was Andre Van Berg. He picked us from our hotel in Copacabana in the morning and drove to village in Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca. I just turned 65 and the hike takes about an hour to reach the top of the mountain with an elevation gain of 1100 feet.. It was a little harder going up hill in the first-half of the hike and then it becomes moderate . But our guide and my son kept a slow to pace to help me climb the mountain. The view of the surround area from the top of the mountain was breathtaking and we have spectacular views of mountain ranges with the broadleaf forest and beautiful beach at the bottom

Today we visited Christ the Redeemer, a colossal 38-meter (approximately 127 feet) tall concrete statue of Christ, which stands on the top of a mountain peak by Rio at 710 meters. It is truly one of the wonders of modern world because of the technological difficulties the builders have to overcome to build this colossal monument, with arms outstretched in a gesture of blessing and embrace at an elevation of about 2364 feet above sea level. Experience at the statue is beyond explanation. We saw Maracana stadium (exterior) with famous Pele statue in the front and climbed the famous Lapa Steps or Selaron staircase, one of the most loved attractions in Rio, the work of the Chilean artist Jorge Selaròn, Going to Sugarloaf on a cable car is another enjoyable experience. Overall, tour of Rio as arranged by Sara was truly remarkable. Also, we visited a very uniquely built Cathedral known as Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian. The cathedral was designed in a modern style Mayan architectural style with a taste of pyramids. I have seen so many cathedral s throughout the world but have not see this architecture in a church or cathedral .

We have seen numerous water falls in the US and Canada including Niagara Falls but Iquacu falls is one of the most spectacular falls we ever seen in the world. Niagara pales in comparison to Iquacu falls. There are over 300 falls across 2 mile width of the Iguacu river over the rocky cliff. We saw many of the these water falls from the Brazilian and the famous Devils throat from the Argentinian side. The power and fury of Mother Nature in the falls is incredible and awesome on both sides but we experienced that power of the falls from the Brazilian side when our boat ride took us directly under one of the mega falls. The experience under the power of falling water is incredible and amazing.

Our guide Luis drove us from Brazilian side to the Argentinian side of the National Park where another portion of the Iguacu falls is present. We did not take the Macuco ride to the bottom of the falls instead we took a mini train ride close to the Devil's Throat which is located on the Argentinian side of the falls and walked nearly 2 kilometers over a steel pedestrian bridge built over the Iguacu river to reach the Devil's throat falls. The water falls in Devil's throat is so powerful that mist created by the falls constantly hung in the air and making it a wet conditions throughout of stay on the viewing deck. The fury and power of Mother Nature is at full display at the top of the Devil's throat where the rocky cliff is cut to steps by the constant erosion of rocks from the falling water. .

Second day we had rowing canoe in the Juma river/ lake as well seeing the wildlife on the banks of the river which was a wonderful experience. Lunch was at a local outdoor restaurant. The food was delicious. After noon piranha fishing did not go well as no one able to catch a piranha despite stopping our boat at different locations in the lake. In the night our guide took us on a boat to watch alligators, frogs and birds. The Leon only used a flashlight to focus on the animals in the Amazonian darkness, making the ride very exciting. He was able to catch a baby caiman (crocodile) from the lake in the darkness with a flash light and hand. We were able to hold and touch the baby caiman. This was one of the best experiences I ever had in the past.

Transfer from Manaus to Juma lodge is a unique experience. First, we were on a speed boat and traveled across a vast area of meeting of two rivers, Amazon and Negro from Manaus to an interior land port where Shuttle bus waiting for us to travel on the road to another port where another boat picked us up to travel along a winding river and into the Juma River with a large lake where Juma Lodge is located. The meeting two rivers, Amazon river with off-white color water and Negro river with black color water at Manaus is one of the enchanting natural spectacle one can see. These two rivers flow together with two distinct color for next 6 kilometer on the downstream side of Manaus. Our boat driver drove the boat parallel to the meeting line of these two rivers for distance and circle back to the point where we needed to travel.It is a beautiful phenomenon for mesmerizing distance where two disparate waters touch, bubble and dance, cheek-to cheek, This natural spectacle truly showcases the culturally rich country and the talented, burgeoning peoples that comprise the Brazil nation. First day in Juma Lodge was to acquaint ourself with the lodge facilities and walking tour of Amazon rainforest with our wonderful guide Leon Courtman. Leon is very knowledgeable and has good grasp on the plant species in Amazon rainforest. He gave us a ton information about the plants of the Amazon that have hundreds of potential medicinal uses. The forest tour was an invaluable experience to gain knowledge of plant species that provide ingredients for fighting cancer to soothing asthma and reducing anxiety to treating gallstones. The time in the forest was well spent with Leon

The third day began with a viewing of the sunrise from a 100-foot tall viewing tower built next to Juma Lodge. The changing of color of the Amazon sky over the lakes and forest is amazing. Leon showed us the waste water treatment system at the lodge which actually removes the contaminants to a level of drinking water before being discharge to the lake. The sludge that remains in the treatment tanks will be hauled away in the boat for treatment at facility near Manaus. Rest of the morning was spent in the Amazon forest full of Amazonian palm trees which are huge and tall. Palm trees in the Amazon forests are totally different than what I have seen in the US. Afternoon was spent at a native Amazonian farm known as the House of a caboclo (native) which was located where Juma river meets the main Parana river. Leon was very good explaining how native Amazonians perfected the methods to extract edible food from cassava vegetable (like potato) which contains dangerous levels of cyanide. The food that people can make using cassava include bread, French fries, mashed cassava, cassava chips, cassava cake.

This day was our return journey back to Manaus airport. So we said goodby to our guide Leon and two tourist from Germany and two from Rio who become our good friends during three day stay in Juma Lodge. It was hard to say goodby to them and leave the lodge. With heavy heart we returned to Manaus airport and caught our flight to São Paulo and then to Salvador.

The hiking through the Gruta cave from an entrance at the bottom of the valley and climbing up the steps to an exit hole was a fantastic experience. The numerous stalactites and stalagmites creations are unbelievably beautiful. Visit to blue water cave at Pratinha river and snorkeling in the cave water is an experience my son and I will never forget. Blue cave at Gruta Pratinha in Chapada National Park ( locally know as Chapada Diamentina in recognition of diamond mining in the region) is the most beautiful cave I have seen. The Pratinha River water in the Blue Pool of the cave so perfectly clear that you can see all the rock formations and the numerous fishes in the water bottom below. The snorkeling in the cave was definitely the highlight of the tour. it's an unforgettable experience.

Today, I did not go to Vale do Capao for 12 km walk to see the famous water falls Fumaca. But my son did that expedition and was was very impressed with majestic mountain and falls. He said he had wonderful time there with guide Maco and other tourists who were with him. I went on my own hiking of the Lencois municipal park that was located next to Hotel de Lencois. Definitely a MUST visit Park in Lencois. Full of waterfalls, jaw dropping views, wildlife, pretty caves, rocks, water holes, and so much more. The park has an entry fee of 20 Reals. Also, you cannot hike to water falls without a guide. It helps a lot to have a guide with you to show you the trials so you don't get lost and take you to the interesting spots. There is always more to explore in this park depending on how much time you have

Our guide for São Paulo was Rocco Belletti. He was exceptionally good with great command over English language as well as the history of São Paulo. I was impressed with him. We walked the Paulista Avenue, visited Ibirapuera Park and Batman Alley. Everything was fantastic. The night ended by watching the football game between Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers at Corinthian Stadium in Guarulhos. Ice on the cake was our beloved Philadelphia Eagles won that game