Planning

Since my short visit in 2016 my interest in Brazil has continued unabated. It's a huge country and I won't even scratch the South western corner. I will be arriving on 2 October and remain until 7 November.....if I decide to return. 😁. This will be their spring so it shouldn't be too hot.

I will land in Rio and spend a day there. I'm not interested in visiting Cristo Rei/Christ the Redeemer with hundreds of other people but am looking forward to visiting Santa Marta, a viewpoint over the city along with the Vista Chinesa which featured in the 2016 Olympic cycle race. And possibly the botanic gardens if time permits.

Rio. From Mirante Sta Marta

From Rio I will travel to Paraty, an ex colonial village about 240 Kms south, where I will stop for about  five days. There are many other towns along the coast and several waterfalls. 


Paraty

I will then return to Rio for a day before flying 1300 Kms to Foz do Iguaçu on the Paraguayan and Argentinian border. Foz do Iguaçu is the site of one of the largest waterfalls in the world, certainly in the top three, and ranks with Niagara and Victoria depending on the the criteria selected. It is also home to Itaipu, a massive hydroelectric dam which supplies most of Paraguay's electricity and 25% of Brazil's. I will be stopping in the Bairro of Tres Lagoas for eight days. The people here are helpful and friendly

Cataratas Iguaçu

From here I will fly to Vitória four hundred kms North of Rio. Two planes and about six hours journey time. Vitoria has had some troubles and because of this I will spend just one night here before catching a train to Belo Horizonte,  about another five hundred Kms but a twelve - fourteen hour journey. https://rodoferroviaria.com.br/viaje-de-trem/belo-horizonte-vitoria/

Somewhere in Minas Gerais.
Image source: https://rodoferroviaria.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ferrovia.jpg

I have Brazilian friends in Belo Horizonte and hope to visit the beautiful old town of Ouro Preto, about 100 Kms distant. Weekend over and I will catch a coach to Tiradentes, two hundred Kms distant, another beautiful old town.

Ouro Preto

Tiradentes

A pity I can't stop until Thursday because an old steam train runs to the town of São João del Rei from where I will be catching a coach to Petropolis - two hundred and fifty Kms south.

Petropolis is in the mountains about sixty Kms north of Rio and where many years ago the Kings would locate for the summer to escape the city's oppressive heat. It's a popular choice for Brazilians and has many interesting buildings. Not too far away is also Teresópolis.

Petropolis

This should take me upto the 28/29 October leaving me nine days to plan for. Within this I hope to meet up in Rio with an on line group of friends learning English and who assist me with portuguese. Also to visit the island of Paquetá  which is in Rio's Guanabara bay. No motor vehicles are permitted here. Just horses and oxen. And bicycles 😁

Paqueta

I copied these images from Google but was unable to ascertain the various photographers' contact details. If there are any problems with the use of any image please contact me at  ian-franklin@outlook.com

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