COLORFUL BRAZIL: Sunset at Atins, Maranhão (MA)

Atins Beach, Maranhão (MA)

About 250 km east of São Luís, capital of the Brazilian state of Maranhão, Atins is located at the Atlantic coast, at the border of the immense dune landscape of Lençóis Maranhenses. Atins may be reached by boat from Barreirinhas, thereby following the Preguiças River. In 2007, the travel fare was 5 reais only, for a journey of four hours. Many locals use this boat, as their public transport. The savage beach of Atins is a unique location for a breathtaking sunset, that took a few minutes only.

The original picture was taken in July 2007.

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Canoa Quebrada (CE)

Canoa Quebrada (CE)

Once a simple village of fishermen, now one of the most beloved beach locations in Brazil, about 165 km east of Fortaleza. One man – Francisco José do Nascimento – was born here, whose refusal to participate in slave transport gave him the nickname “Dragão do Mar”, Sea Dragon. It was not until the seventies of the past century when the small village was discovered by hippies, and not much later by European (most French) film makers. The film crew made long hours at day, and enjoyed themselves when participating the nightlife.  The stars in the moonlight, that is one explanation for the crescent moon and the star as symbol of Canoa Quebrada. Another version might be more logical that one of the crew members was from Morocco, and that he had to pray for forgiveness to Allah after he joined the parties. He ordered to engrave the crescent moon and star, symbols of the Islam, on the cliffs.

The original picture was taken in January 2008.

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including history, touristic information and informative videos.

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Gunga Beach, Alagoas (AL)

Gunga Beach, ALAGOAS (AL)

One of the most beautiful beaches of the tiny Brazilian state of Alagoas is Gunga Beach. This wide beach can be reached by a secondary road through private land, or by a  boat service from Barra de São Miguel. The beach is flanked by a large coconut plantation, thereby providing an idyllic composition of white sands, green exotic coconut trees, and azure blue sea. I was lucky enough to visit Gunga Beach three times: in July 2008, when staying in Maceió (AL); in August 2009, also staying in Maceió; in July 2010 , when traveling to João Pessoa (PB). During my second visit, in 2008, it rained that day. But even in the rain, this beach is worth visiting!

The original picture was taken in July 2008.

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Colorful Ribbons in Salvador (BA)

SALVADOR (BA)

Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia, and former capital of Brazil, is very popular among (foreign) tourists. Salvador hosts a large number of churches and sanctuaries. One sanctuary is ‘Senhor do Bonfim’, located outside the center. But tourists will gain colorful ribbons in the center of Salvador, usually fastened on the left wrist with three knots, by the local people on the streets. You may make your wishes at the time of receiving these ribbons . The ribbons need to be kept on the wrist until they fell off with time.

The original picture was taken in July 2007.

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Click HERE for general information about SALVADOR,

including history, touristic information and informative videos.

Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of  ’SALVADOR’, part one.
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of  ’SALVADOR’, part two.
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of  ’SALVADOR’, part three.

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Itapuã Beach, Salvador (BA)

Itapuã Beach, SALVADOR (BA)

Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia, and former capital of Brazil, is very popular among (foreign) tourists. They are attracted by the tropical carnival beats, the local (spicy) food, the historic center of Pelourinho that takes part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, and above all, the beaches.  Among them, Itapuã is one of the popular beaches. A beautiful sunset may be witnessed there at the end of a beautiful day.

The original picture was taken in July 2007.

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Click HERE for general information about SALVADOR,

including history, touristic information and informative videos.

Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of  ’SALVADOR’, part one.
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of  ’SALVADOR’, part two.
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of  ’SALVADOR’, part three.

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Ukrainian Monument, Curitiba (PR)

Ukrainian Monument, CURITIBA (PR)

Curitiba is the capital of the Southern Brazilian state of Paraná. The subtropical climate and arable land drew many European migrants to Curitiba. Many came from Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Spain, but also from Poland, Ukraine, Austria, and later from the Middle East. They settled down to do agricultural work, or set up their own businesses. Most migrants grouped together and kept the traditions and religions from their country of origin. Ukrainians built  wooden Orthodox churches, and one of them was built as a replica in the center of Curitiba, to honor the Ukrainian migrants.

The original picture was taken in April 2008.

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Click HERE for general information about CURITIBA,
including history, touristic information and informative videos.

Click HERE for an overview of the travel stories about CURITIBA
(Click HERE for the Dutch version) 

Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of ‘CURITBA, part one. 
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of ‘CURITBA, part two. 
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of ‘CURITBA, part three. 

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Ipanema Beach, RIO DE JANEIRO (RJ)

Together with Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach is surely one of the most popular beaches in Rio de Janeiro. Ipanema Beach is flanked by Arpoador Beach (where is a small rock in the sea, where one may enjoy an interesting view of  Ipanema Beach and its flanking beaches), and by Leblon Beach. The two hilltops are called Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers); behind them is the location of the famous Rocinha Favela. Further behind, the Barra da Tijuca District is located, with more beaches and the emerging Olympic Village.

The original picture was taken in November 2007.

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Click HERE for the accompanying story about the first travel to Rio de Janeiro.
(Click HERE for the Dutch version)

ClickHEREfor general information about RIO DE JANEIRO,
including history, touristic information and informative videos.

Click HERE for overview of Carnaval 2012 in Rio de Janeiro

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Landscape in Paraná (PR)

PARANÁ (PR)

This landscape is located in the Brazilian state of Paraná, when I was traveling from Belo Horizonte (MG) to Florianópolis (SC).
The irregular shaped lake flanks the BR-116,  locally known as Autopista Regis Bittencourt, that runs through Paraná, from the border with the state of São Paulo to the border with the state of Santa Catarina, via Curitba, capital of Paraná.

The original picture was taken at the end of April 2007.

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Click HERE for the story about the bus travel from Belo Horizonte to Florianópolis.
(Click HERE for the Dutch version)

Click HERE for general information about FLORIANÓPOLIS,
including history, touristic information and informative videos.

Click HERE for the Photo Gallery ‘FLORIANÓPOLIS”, part 1 .
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery ‘FLORIANÓPOLIS”, part 2 .
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery ‘FLORIANÓPOLIS”, part 3 . 

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BELO HORIZONTE, MG: Less Than 900 Days To GO

BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

At Praça da Liberdade, the principal square in Belo Horizonte, a giant hourglass shows the countdown until the start of the 2014 World Cup. This hourglass, with mirror-like panels, shows the logo of one of the major sponsors of that soccer tournament.
Yesterday, December 25th, 2011: The countdown clock shows the number ’900′.
Faltam 900 Dias, only 900 days to go, when Brazil welcomes the world’s best soccer players, to compete with Brazil for the World Title.
Belo Horizonte will host 2 matches in the group phase, one match of the final 16 knock-out phase, and one semi final.

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Fotogalerij: Botanische Tuin, BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

Photo Gallery: Botanical Garden, BELO HORIZONTE (MG).

Een fotogalerij met 26 foto’s gemaakt in de botanische  tuin in Belo Horizonte.

Photo Gallery: Botanical Garden, BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

Photo Gallery: Botanical Garden, BELO HORIZONTE (MG).

Christmas in Brazil: BELO HORIZONTE, MG (2010)

BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

As in many Brazilian cities, there are a number of shopping malls in Belo Horizonte. BH Shopping is located in the south, near the border with neighboring municipality Nova Lima. Recently this shopping has been extended with another floor, and now counts almost 400 shops. As with the other shopping malls in Belo Horizonte, the shopping spends some effort with Christmas decorations. In 2010, the theme was the history of Santa Claus, telling the history of the different personalities in European countries, including Saint Nicholas.
The picture above shows the reflection in a giant Christmas ball.

Camera: Canon PowerShot A1100 IS

f/5,6  1/25 sec.  ISO-400

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BELO HORIZONTE (MG): Flooding at Primeiro de Maio (15 DEC 2011)

Original dimension: 5000 x 1955

BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

According to the report of the Brazilian Center of Weather Forecast and Climate Studies (CPTEC) the rainfall between Dec 14, 10 am (Brasília Time Zone) and Dec 15, 10 am was the most intense (91.4 mm) since 2009. As a result, one of the principal avenues – Avenida Cristiano Machado, part of the Green Line and linking the center to the International Airport – was inundated at te location of metro station Primeiro de Maio. Rain water was running down from the surrounding uphill streets and avenues and filling another avenue – Sebastião de Brito – as if it were a river. The traffic – was barred at both sides of Avenida Cristiano Machado. Reporters from local tv stations took their shots for the evening news, and they focused for a while on the rescue of a car stuck in the water. Bystanders, in front of the metro station, took pictures with their cell phones, with the intention to show the homefront the dramatic situation at this metro station. It is forecasted that more than 100 mm of rainfall will be measured in the next 48 hours.

Related links:

Record rainfall (CPTEC website, Portuguese) 
Image gallery Globo website
Image gallery Estado de Minas

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Camera: Canon PowerShot A1100 IS
f 1/2,7 , 1/500 sec. ISO-160
combination of 5 separate photographs, integrated with help of Autopano software

Christmas in Brazil: ITABIRA, MG (2009)

ITABIRA (MG)

Itabira is a mining city at about 100 km from Belo Horizonte. At present it counts a little more  than 100 thousand inhabitants. Itabira is the birthplace of one of the most famous poets of Brazil: Carlos Drummond de Andrade.

Complete photo gallery (49 images): CLICK HERE 

In 2009, PET-bottles were used as the basis for the Christmas decorations throughout the city. The city hall, a principal square, the lampposts in the center, and one principal avenue were the locations of these PET decorations.

Christmas bells, snowmen,trees, angels, candles, the Holy Family, and the house of Santa Claus.  Thousands of used PET bottles were cut, stitched and painted to obtain surprising decorations.

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Globo News: Recycled material for Christmas decorations in Belém (PA)

 

Related blog about PET bottles and Christmas decorations, in Recife (PE)

Brazilian Cuisine: Colorful Pudim

SANTA LUZIA (MG)

This delicious dessert on the colorful plate was served in Santa Luzia, a suburb north of Belo Horizonte. Santa Luzia is a small historical city, but has expanded greatly in the past decades to more than 200 thousand inhabitants.
Quite a few inhabitants from Belo Horizonte have their second home within the borders of Santa Luzia, some of them have a so-called sítio, a kind of weekend resort, in a large, green area. Such a sítio is a simple construction, without excess of luxury. Most important are the kitchen, the shower, and a lot of beds and mattresses. Because of the islolated location, people are free to organize big parties that may last a few days even. No one to bother or to be bothered. One may scream, sing, play loud music without problems.
At such a party, this pudim was served.

Pudim (de leite) is a dessert made of condensed milk. In English it is known as Flan, or Crème Caramal, originating from France or Spain. To prepare the pudim, one use two cans of condensed milk, two cans of milk, and five eggs; for the caramel sauce, one use one part of water and two parts of refined sugar. First, the caramel sauce is prepared by heating the ingredients, then the ingredients for the pudim are mixed together and added to the sauce. The form with the pudim is then slightly heated, followed by cooling in the fridge. The pudim is served cold. 

Camera: SONY DSC-P73
f/3.5  1/50 sec.  ISO-120

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Travel in Brazil: AQUIDAUANA (MS)

Image of the church in a fountain, located in front of the church.
f/ 3.2  1/640 sec. ISO-80

AQUIDAUANA (MS)

Aquidauna is a municipality west of Campo Grande, capital of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Its size is half of Belgium and counts about 45 thousand inhabitants only.  The city itself is located at about 140 km from Campo Grande.
The bus travel from Campo Grande took about 2 hours. The first hours in Aquidauna were quite hot, with approximately 42 degrees centigrade. A sudden and fierce breeze did the temperature drop to about 32 degrees in less than one hour.
The principal church is located close to the Aquidauana River, that forms the border with neighboring municipality Anastácio.
The Saint Francis Church, inspired upon gothic architecture, was built in the thirties of the past century.

Image of the church
f/8,   1/640 sec.  ISO-80

Camera: Canon PowerShot A1100 IS

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People in Brazil: Descent of Man in Atins (MA)

ATINS (MA)

Atins is a small coastal village at the border of the immense dune landscape of Lençóis Maranhenses.  From Barreirinhas – gateway to the dune landscape – we made a 4-hour boat trip to Atins.  From the village, it was a 30-min walk to the beach. While the pure white sands were feeling pleasantly cool under our feet, the brownish sand in Atins was really hot, we almost burnt our feet.
The beach at Atins is very different of what I was used to see at other Brazilian locations. This beach looks somewhat wild, with shrubs and bushes and grass growing in the sand, as if it is an arid landscape. Like we were in a desert instead on a beach.
The combination of a tired-looking bus driver walking toward us, and the apparent desert landscape results in the composition above: Like a vivid example of the evolution theory of Darwin: our ancestors trying to walk on two feet, the descent of man had occurred here, in Atins.

Camera: Canon PowerShot A540

f/8,  1/1250 sec.  focal length 23 mm, max. aperture 4.90625

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People in Brazil: Dirty Hands in Atins (MA)

ATINS (MA)

The Brazilian state of Maranhão is widely known for hosting the immense dune landscape of Lençóis Maranhenses. From Barreirinhas – gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses -, one may join a boat trip in  the really lazy Preguiças River. The regular, and thus cheap, boat ride took more than four hours, to arrive at the final destination: Atins.
Atins is a very small coastal village, with one main road. From there, it is a short walk to the beach of Atins, and reach the Atlantic Ocean. It is not a beach with white sands and palm trees, but a rough beach, with tiny shrubs and grass growing on greyish brown sand.
Near the shoreline, one may find some clay humps, ideal for pottery. Also suitable to dirt your hands with.
The girl in this photograph demonstrates the clay that made her already tanned hands much darker.

Camera: Canon PowerShot A540

f/4,  1/400 sec.  local time: 17.22 h.

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‘Self-Reflection’. Belo Horizonte (MG)

BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

It was on a sunny winterday at Lake Pampulha in Belo Horizonte. On a Sunday afternoon, I made a walk along this artificial lake. I did not complete the entire lake, since its perimeter measures more than 18 km. But I have to inform you that I already have completed this distance four times, and have taken photographs of every 100 meter.
I halted at Casa do Baile, visited the temporary exhibition in there, and then visited the nearby tourist information center. The building was rather new then, the personnel was not really prepared to their new tasks, at that time. But I managed to obtain a new, monthly, brochure of the city, with the new activities of that month.
Next to the center, I encountered a motor cycle. I am not really fond of motor cycles, but the way this vehicle was parked drew my attention. The wooden floor, the calm water of the lake. The somewhat dirty mirror showing the sunny moment of that day: a clear blue sky. And fragments of some roof tiles.
I really liked this composition: the solid floor, the liquid flexibility of the water in the lake, the limitlessness of the blue sky, and the shelter of the roof tiles, reflected by the rearview mirror. It was as if I was observing myself in that.

Camera: Canon PowerShot A540

f/5  1/320 sec.

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Colorful Brazil: Blue Lilies

BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

Casa do Baile, Pampulha. The Casa do Baile (Ballroom) by Oscar Niemeyer, the most famous architect in Brazil, originally was designed for dancing events. It is one of the constructions by Niemeyer along the artificial Pampulha lake.
Nowadays, small exhibitions about architecture, design, art, or photography take place. The Casa do Baile also has a small garden, with some flowers, trees, and plants. One of the most colorful is the African lily, the Agapanthus africanus, a wonderful lily specimen that is commonly found in many gardens and parks in Brazil and abroad.

Camera:  Canon PowerShot A1100 IS

f/5.6  1/200 sec.  ISO-200

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