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All posts for the month March, 2012

COLORFUL BRAZIL: Black-tufted Marmoset (Callithrix penicillata)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 31, 2012
Posted in: Abstract, Animals, Brazil, Minas Gerais, Nature, Photography, Wildlife. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

Black-tufted Marmoset (Mico Estrela)

The black-tufted marmoset primarily lives in the southeastern region of Brazil, generally high in the trees. They prefer to consume tree saps, fruits, and small insects. In periods of drought, they may extend their diet to eggs and small vertebrates. These monkeys have a long tail, which is used for holding their balance. They are about 19 to 22 cm long. The monkeys are also found within the city limits of Belo Horizonte. They live on campus Pampulha of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, in the Municipal Park, and in Mangabeiras Park, where they are somewhat domesticated and do even approach small groups of visitors, in search of food. According to the park rules, it is strictly forbidden to feed the small animals. But of course these animals are not literated, and they still try to beg food from the visitors. And of course, even despite the rules and the guards, there are people who do not resist to hand them some food.

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Historical University Building, Curitiba (PR)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 30, 2012
Posted in: Abstract, Brazil, Nature, Paraná, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

HISTORICAL UNIVERSITY BUILDING, CURITIBA (PR)

One of the many landmarks in Curitiba is the historical building (Prédio Histórico) of the Federal University of Paraná (Universidade Federal do Paraná; UFPR). Originally, it was called “Universidade do Paraná” (University of Paraná), when it was founded in 1912. It is the oldest university in Brazil. In 1920, the Brazilian government forced the University to split in separated Faculties. Only in 1951, the faculties were joined again into the Federal University of Paraná. The historic building, designed by military engineer Baeta de Faria, was constructed in 1913. Ten years later, two lateral wings were added, according to the original plan. In 1954, reform of the building took place; the covered dome was removed, and a new facade with columns was built. In 1999, the historic building was elected to become an official symbol of the city of Curitiba.


The historical building in 1926
Foto: Arquivo Hstórico ACS 

The original picture was taken at the end of April 2008.

Click here for general information about CURITIBA,

including history, touristic information and informative videos.

Click here for the complete coverage of ‘Curitiba’ 

Click here for the Photo Gallery ‘Curitiba”, part 1  / part 2 / part 3

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Travel in Brazil: PRAIA DO FORTE, ILHA SANTA CATARINA (SC)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 29, 2012
Posted in: Abstract, Beach, Brazil, Church, Photography, Santa Catarina, Sunset, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 28 Comments


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PRAIA DO FORTE, ILHA SANTA CATARINA (SC)

Ilha Santa Catarina is located in Southern Brazil, and is part of the state of Santa Catarina (SC). The city of Florianópolis, capital of Santa Catarina, is located on the island, and is one of the three Brazilian capitals that is located on an island. The other two are Vitória (ES) and São Luís (MA). The island measures 424 square kilometers; about 54 km long and 18 km wide. Florianópolis boasts to have 42 beaches within the borders, i.e. on the island. Jurerê Internacional in the north is one of the most popular. This beach is flanked by a Fortress, Fortaleza São José da Ponta Grossa. Praia do Forte is located next to this fortress. From this beach, the mainland can be seen. Beautiful sunsets may be witnessed from Praia do Forte. These photographs were taken at the end of April 2007, Brazilian autumn. Ilba Santa Catarina is also named Ilha da Magia, the Island of Magic…

Click here to view General Information about Florianópolis

Click here for the overview of the series “Travel to Florianópolis” (in progress)

Click here for the overview of the photo gallery “Florianópolis”, part 1  / part 2 / part 3


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f/ 4  1/250 sec.

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f/ 4  1/125 sec.

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Camera: Canon PowerShot A540

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: São Francisco de Assis Church, Belo Horizonte (MG)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 27, 2012
Posted in: Abstract, Brazil, Church, Minas Gerais, Photography, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 44 Comments

Igreja São Francisco de Assis (Pampulha), BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

Without doubt, the small Igreja São Francisco de Assis in the Pampulha District, may be considered as one of the landmarks of Belo Horizonte. The light blue color, the tower and cross that are separated, the roof that consists of four round arcs. Architect Oscar Niemeyer, now 104, designed the church, and a number of other buildings along an artificial lake, Lagoa da Pampulha. Oscar became more famous thanks to his participation in the construction of Brasília, capital of Brazil. Artist Cândido Portinari was responsible for the paintings inside and outside the church. The little garden was created by Roberto Burle Marx. The church was finished in 1943, but only in 1959, the church was consecrated. The archbishop of Belo Horizonte was opposed against the revolutionary design. Only recently, the church was renovated, and now attracts many Brazilian and foreign visitors. The original picture was taken in June 2006

Click HERE  for general information about BELO HORIZONTE

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses (MA)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 25, 2012
Posted in: Brazil, Maranhão, Nature, Photography, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 29 Comments

Lençóis Maranhenses (MA)

An immense national park of 155 thousand hectares. It is really impossible to visit everything within a single day. However, I only had the opportunity to visit Lençóis for one day. I did not waste my time, I did not join my travel companions who stayed at one of the numerous freshwater lakes. That day I have walked many hours through the dune landscape, in order to get some impression of the beauty and uniqueness of the park. I only can use superlatives to describe the park. You only need to walk and climb a few hundred meters through the dune landscape to get the feeling that you are really alone in this world. I sat there, on top of one of the dunes. I was there alone, without company. Without animals around me, no plants, no sounds. Only the white sand, the blue sky with some white clouds, and a burning sun. For a while, I was feeling very small, like an ant in a desert. No powerful man rules that world, but at that moment Mother Nature rules you… The original picture was taken in July 2007.

Click HERE for general information about SÃO LUÍS, including history, touristic information and informative videos. Click HERE for the overview of the bus travel from Belo Horizonte to Maranhão Click HERE for the overview of MARANHÃO, part one. 

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Barra Light Tower, Salvador (BA)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 22, 2012
Posted in: Architecture, Bahia, Beach, Brazil, Photography, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 8 Comments


Barra Light Tower, SALVADOR (BA)

Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia, and former capital of Brazil, is very popular among (foreign) tourists. One of the landmarks of Salvador is undoubtedly the light tower in the Barra District. This light tower, which is located inside Fortress Santo Antônio da Barra, is considered to be the oldest in Brazil. The fortress was constructed around 1596. When the Dutch invaded Salvador in 1624, they encountered no resistance from the troops at the fortress, but one year later the Dutch had to leave Salvador. Following a shipwreck in 1668, the fortress was rebuilt in 1696. The first light tower of Brazil started to work in 1698, on the base of oil that was extracted from whales. The actual structure of 22 meters high was built in 1839, the light was visible that 18 nautical miles at clear weather conditions. Only recently, the tower and the museum are again accessible for visitors. From the tower, they may enjoy a 360 degrees view of the city of Salvador, the shoreline and the Atlantic Ocean.

The original picture was taken in July 2006.

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: Igreja da Candelária, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 17, 2012
Posted in: Abstract, Architecture, Brazil, Church, Photography, rio de janeiro, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 21 Comments

Igreja da Candelária, RIO DE JANEIRO (RJ)

The full name is ‘Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Candelária, one of the most beautiful churches in Rio de Janeiro. The name is derived from a Spanish ship, the ‘Candelária, which almost sank during a fierce storm. The Spanish crew fulfilled their oath, and constructed, around 1609, a small chapel in dedication of  ‘Our Lady of Candelária’.  A new church was constructed, and inaugurated in 1811, when Rio de Janeiro was the seat of the Kingdom of Portugal, the Algarves and Brazil. The church has a Baroque façade, and a mixture of Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance decorations inside. The church has connections with modern Brazilian history, such as the protest campaign of ‘Diretas Já’  in 1984, with over a million people attending, demanding the end of the military government and free and direct presidential elections. Nine years later, in 1993, eight street children were murdered in front of the church.

The original picture was taken in October 2007.

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: View from Mangabeiras Park, Belo Horizonte (MG)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 16, 2012
Posted in: Abstract, Brazil, Minas Gerais, Nature, Photography, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , . 39 Comments

Mangabeiras Park, BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

Belo Horizonte, capital of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais is flanked by a mountainous range in the south: Serra do Curral. The mountain peaks range from 1000 to 1350 meters high. More than a decade ago, mining activities took place. A deep crater, filled with water is a remainder of this era. In 1982, the Mangabeiras Park was created on the location of the former mine; landscape architect Robert Burle Marx – known for his contributions at Lagoa da Pampulha – designed the visitor’s area. The park has the size of almost 300 heactare hosts a surprising variety of local flora and fauna. For example, over 160 bird species are spotted there. A viewpoint has been constructed, from which (the southern part of) the city of Belo Horizonte can be observed.

The original picture was taken in February 2006


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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Santuário do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, Congonhas (MG)

Posted by adrianoantoine on March 2, 2012
Posted in: Abstract, Brazil, Church, Minas Gerais, Photography, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Santuário do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, CONGONHAS (MG)

The construction of this church began in 1757. The construction is attributed to the Portuguese Feliciano Mendes, who was a prospector in his active life, searching for gold. As a result of his work, he became quite ill, but he healed miraculously. Feliciano was a deeply religious man and kept his promise. He built the chapel with his own hands. Unfortunately, the death came still unexpected for him (in 1765), while the church was not completed yet. It was then decided to finish the construction of the church, and the most important artists of that era were invited to participate. These artists included Francisco Xavier Carneiro, Ataydes Manoel Da Costa, and Antônio Francisco Lisboa, we now better know for his nickname Aleijadinho.

The original picture was taken in August 2009


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