Jan 31st – Feb 3rdGuarda do Embau:
In our program, we had decided to spend some days in our favorite beach of Brazil, Guarda Do Embau. We had gone there for New Year’s 2004-2005 and had excellent memories. After 24 hours of bus we finally arrived in Guarda. We stayed in a very nice pousada (Maktub) and I went to rent a surf board for the next three days. Once again our program was simple: beach, Brasilian food which Maria missed, walks and rest.
The place has not changed too much and we will for sure go back. It has kept its charm and is still considered one of the best beaches in Brazil!
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Feb 3rd – Feb 5thIguassu falls:
Every time I say that my wife is Brazilian and that I spend a lot of my holidays in Brazil, people ask me if I have been to the Iguassu falls. Maria and I had never been there and we could not miss this occasion to meet these fabulous water falls.
In order to arrive there we took, again, a long bus ride, 16 hours from Florianopolis! We arrived there at 6.30 in the morning and decided to rest a bit before heading to the Argentinian side of the falls. We walked some good 5 hours in the park and enjoyed a nice boat ride under the falls, an exceptional experience! Our taxi was waiting for us at the exit of the park and dropped us back at our hotel. We spent the evening there and went to sleep very early.
The next morning, we took it easy and then went to visit the Brazilian side of the falls. It is a completely different view which is also worth seeing. To be honest, we preferred the Argentinian side better because you feel closer to the falls, but everybody has a different opinion on that.
At night, we had our last bus to reach Campinas on Saturday morning. As it was our last bus ride, something had to go wrong. At the stroke of midnight, the back tire pops, but luckily the bus driver controlled the vehicle and saved us from an accident. We did however spend the next 2 hours waiting for another bus, going to the company garage and finally changing buses two hours before arriving in Campinas. At least we made it in time for the surprise barbecue for Maria’s sister’s birthday, Sol. The day was great; we caught up with a lot of people, enjoyed the family and let them in on some of our adventures.
From Saturday to Wednesday we stayed in Campinas, what a nice feeling to be home, have barbecues, play tennis, and rest in a nice bed…
Our backpack experience has ended. What a trip! We have met such amazing places, people and lived unforgettable times. We were lucky that nothing bad happened to us, we have never been stolen, we did not break any part of our body, no bad sickness… It was a wonderful experience that we recommend to everybody.
It helped us to understand how lucky we are, what beauty there is in this world, and it was no doubt a good way to start our married life together.
We are now in Jericoacoara, Ceara, for a week and will tell you all about it later on.
In order to arrive there we took, again, a long bus ride, 16 hours from Florianopolis! We arrived there at 6.30 in the morning and decided to rest a bit before heading to the Argentinian side of the falls. We walked some good 5 hours in the park and enjoyed a nice boat ride under the falls, an exceptional experience! Our taxi was waiting for us at the exit of the park and dropped us back at our hotel. We spent the evening there and went to sleep very early.
The next morning, we took it easy and then went to visit the Brazilian side of the falls. It is a completely different view which is also worth seeing. To be honest, we preferred the Argentinian side better because you feel closer to the falls, but everybody has a different opinion on that.
At night, we had our last bus to reach Campinas on Saturday morning. As it was our last bus ride, something had to go wrong. At the stroke of midnight, the back tire pops, but luckily the bus driver controlled the vehicle and saved us from an accident. We did however spend the next 2 hours waiting for another bus, going to the company garage and finally changing buses two hours before arriving in Campinas. At least we made it in time for the surprise barbecue for Maria’s sister’s birthday, Sol. The day was great; we caught up with a lot of people, enjoyed the family and let them in on some of our adventures.
From Saturday to Wednesday we stayed in Campinas, what a nice feeling to be home, have barbecues, play tennis, and rest in a nice bed…
Our backpack experience has ended. What a trip! We have met such amazing places, people and lived unforgettable times. We were lucky that nothing bad happened to us, we have never been stolen, we did not break any part of our body, no bad sickness… It was a wonderful experience that we recommend to everybody.
It helped us to understand how lucky we are, what beauty there is in this world, and it was no doubt a good way to start our married life together.
We are now in Jericoacoara, Ceara, for a week and will tell you all about it later on.
