January 21, 2011 — Caiobá Beach Resort
click on images below to see them larger and with caption
Praia Caiobá
Praia Caiobá beach — one of the ritziest beaches south of Rio — is famous for its beautiful setting and choice of surf and calm beaches. Even Roberto Carlos, the 'eternal' famous pop singer of Brazil, devoted a song to this picturesque resort:
Caiobá, Caiobá, Caiobá, — mais linda praia do meu Paraná!
O meu Paraná tem, tem, a serra do mar, o pinheiro altaneiro,
a morena vaidosa, o por do sol cor de rosa, o Marumbí varonil;
tem Caiobá o mais lindo recanto do sul do Brasil!
Since it was high season, I considered myself very fortunate to have discovered this little B&B, the Pousada Praia Mansa, just one block from either one of the beaches, truly a beautiful setup for a relaxing holiday.
Caiobá, Caiobá, Caiobá, — mais linda praia do meu Paraná!
O meu Paraná tem, tem, a serra do mar, o pinheiro altaneiro,
a morena vaidosa, o por do sol cor de rosa, o Marumbí varonil;
tem Caiobá o mais lindo recanto do sul do Brasil!
Since it was high season, I considered myself very fortunate to have discovered this little B&B, the Pousada Praia Mansa, just one block from either one of the beaches, truly a beautiful setup for a relaxing holiday.
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November 11, 2010
Visit to the ecological reserve
at Fazenda Santa Rita
Last week I was invited to the Fazenda Santa Rita - the owner Luis Eduardo drove me and the botanical team eight miles over the campos, rivers, and rocky terrain to his 150 alqueire reserve.
Actually the four-wheel drive climbed more like a mountain goat along this ´road´´ - thank goodness it was BEFORE lunch.
After the road came to an end, we climbed around deep cliffs and grottos, photographing rare species of field flowers and rock orchids.
Since Eliane, Sidney and their son-in-law Luis Eduardo have studied botany, we had a fantastic time trying to identify the highland flora. They brought along a recently published botanical book with about hundred photos, so at least I have a start to give my photos proper nomenclature.
Actually the four-wheel drive climbed more like a mountain goat along this ´road´´ - thank goodness it was BEFORE lunch.
After the road came to an end, we climbed around deep cliffs and grottos, photographing rare species of field flowers and rock orchids.
Since Eliane, Sidney and their son-in-law Luis Eduardo have studied botany, we had a fantastic time trying to identify the highland flora. They brought along a recently published botanical book with about hundred photos, so at least I have a start to give my photos proper nomenclature.
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October 24,2010
Consider the lillies of the field - they sow not, neither do they reap, yet even Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these...
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October 10, 2010
Last Sunday I spotted some bluish patch while driving along the highway.
It turned out to be a hill covered with wild sage and yellow arnica.
More later on the FLORA page...
It turned out to be a hill covered with wild sage and yellow arnica.
More later on the FLORA page...
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Travelling to Brazil - September 13, 2010
I was still carrying boxes to the garage, when my friends came to pick me up for the airport at 6am on Tuesday September 13th - if it wasn't for the blister scars in my hands, I would think it all had just been a terrible nightmare.
And we now know that it is 35 miles from the Reagan Airport to the Dulles Airport in Washington, DC. My good luck was that one of my suitcases did not arrive with my flight from Vancouver. It was on the next flight, which arrived too late for us to get to the other airport by shuttle bus - so the airline paid the cab fee.
A retiring United Airlines flight attendant is interested in writing about some of my traveling experiences, such as How to find a bathroom while travelling in Peru...
And we now know that it is 35 miles from the Reagan Airport to the Dulles Airport in Washington, DC. My good luck was that one of my suitcases did not arrive with my flight from Vancouver. It was on the next flight, which arrived too late for us to get to the other airport by shuttle bus - so the airline paid the cab fee.
A retiring United Airlines flight attendant is interested in writing about some of my traveling experiences, such as How to find a bathroom while travelling in Peru...
Tour to Old Witmarsum at the Rio Krauel
We arrived just in time to join the special historical tour to my birthplace Ibirama, in the state of Santa Catarina - in honour of the 80 Years of Mennonite Immigration to Brazil Celebrations.
Many of he old wooden farm houses were still standing, so were the factories, hospital, school and church.
It is amazing how the once dark, dense jungle mountains turned into peaceful rolling hills.
Many of he old wooden farm houses were still standing, so were the factories, hospital, school and church.
It is amazing how the once dark, dense jungle mountains turned into peaceful rolling hills.
Please click on the pictures below to get a larger image with caption.