Santa Cruz

After a layover in Paraguay we get in Bolivia. We really need a relax and we have the perfect hotel for it! We take a dip in the pool, a little freezing but the sun is out there. Later in the afternoon, we walk to the cathedral square that seems the only interesting part of town. There is a medium town size atmosphere, with people strolling and paying only attention not to get any pigeon poop on their head. We climb up the clock tower to get a view of the city. Next we are ready for another lazy morning, even if not completely with homework at the pool, then we visit the zoo, we see some never seen animals such as giant ant eater...I thought after 10 years of zoo I had seen them all!!!

The Amazing Falls

This is nothing like Niagara Falls, Iguaçu is an experience not to be missed. It is a natural wonder that totally deserves it's title. On both Brazilian side and Argentian side we enjoy every view, every trail. It is the power of the water and the beauty of nature. It is violent and harmonious...can't stop looking at it. Of course Oscar being Oscar is fascinated by the coatis all around. We spot also some very friendly monkeys and what we call capibara but there are actually not.

Drive around Sao Paolo

We have few hours to kill so we decide to take the recommended walking tour of Lonely Planet by car. We don't feel like leaving our car parked with all our luggages. The city is congested, actually terribly congested. Some spots and monument are interesting but overall in a side of Brazil that it is not the most appealing. Well it was good to have an idea but I don't regreat to have spend more time there.

Ilhabela

It is raining in Ilhabela, the chalet do Lala in the middle of the jungle is great, confortable and with good internet connection. Oscar has a stomach bug, good day to recover and stay cozy at home. Next day the rain is over, we explore up and down the island. Cute but I expected more. Mainly there are summer houses, little towns and not much charm, I guess comparing to the rest we have seen so far...We leave next day in the late morning to drive to Sao Paolo and take our plane to Iguaçu Falls at night.

Paraty

Let's mention that on the way to Ilha Grande, once we step on the boat I realized that we left all our passports in Petropolis!!!! Just great...However, if you really have to loose your passport once in your life just choose the guest house in Petropolis where the nicest man run the place. We call him and the passports are secure, however on the way back from Ilha grande we will have to drive back to Rio 2 and half hours way to meet the man and then drive down to Paraty 3 hours down south again! Oh well the day is cloudy ... Because of this little incident we get to our Pousada in the jungle outside Paraty in the dark. The apartment is super cozy and has bay window all over with the jungle around and the noise of the waterfall! You can't get more nature than that! Next day we visit Paraty, Colonial town with huge cobblestone and with lots of charm. I buy a ring that I really like and enjoy the strolling around and visit the fort with a great view of the bay.

Ilha Grande

A real virgin island, the only way of moving around is either by foot or by boat. The entire island is a natural reserve with trees up to the shores except for few unspoiled beaches that we were able to explore through our daily boat tour. I Love the spirit of the place, local tourism and some occasional backpayers at least at his time of the year which makes you feel that no one will find you here. Our bungalow is a little rustic with a mezzanine where the kids sleep, but we have a great view of Abreeu and the three palm trees that welcome us every morning makes the day already a great one.

Petropolis

It's raining in Petropolis, it doesn't stop us for a quick exploration of the imperial town. The mansions are incredible and the town has an alpine flavor. I guess there is a Switzerland in every country. The most unexpected surprise is the hotel/ guest house where we are staying. A 300 year old house where personalities were staying as guests of the grandparents' owner. We are sleeping in Evita Peron room! (Why not!) It is also an educational and rescue center. Just for the house is worth the stop and there is no better experience for a kid to pet a tucan!

More of Ouro Preto

We visited the biggest gold mine in the world, thousand of slaves made this town rich and portugal an empire. We visited Mariana another little town with magnificent building and plaza. We eat in a delicious self service brazilian style. In the afternoon we get to ouro preto and visit the church of Pilar second richest in Brazil...oh the gold! In our perfect house we have also a fire pit...we finish the night with a dinner of grilled sausages. Stay away from brazilian wine, too sweet, stick with caipirinha.

Black Gold (and I don't mean oil)

The house is magnificent, the surrounding also, the little town is a little jewel to be reached to a still unpaved road. The town was built by fugitive slaves. In the afternoon we headed to stroll around Ouro Preto a magnificent colonial town that still kept all the wealth of the gold times!

Tiring but rewarding!

Departure for Ouro Preto, everything would have been fine if the picking up the car rental would have been faster, Matthias would not have touch a freshly painted pole, and there were not two cities named the same at three hours away from each other. The all results of this is we got at Lavras Novas at 2 o clock in the morning where two smiling Brazilians were still waiting for us!

Penguins in Rio

We spent the morning at the beach...and amazing enough we saw 9 penguins migrating to antartica. It was really exciting.. Afternoon stroll until Leblon, very residential a mix of upper east side and Soho on the beach!

Sunset at Sugar Loaf

We start the day with the yellow fever shot, then we decide to have lunch at san teresa, getting there was more difficult than anticipated but we made it and I still enjoy it.  Before sunset we made it to Pao de azucar...what a view, the sunset is spectacular and we would have also enjoy our caipirinha if Oscar did not find appropriate to have ashma attack so we had to rush home.

Soccer at Copacabana

Crowded day at the beach, however the water was fantastic. Afternoon at copacabana to watch the infamous match 4-0 oh no! Dinner a la garota de ipanema to suddendly feel better.

Ipanema Beach

All the charm, the beauty it is famous for and the kids had tons of fun in the waves!