Rio, Brazil

RIO RIO RIO!!!!

My favorite place yet!!!!! We are in Salvador right now, in a beautiful Pousada over looking the Atlantic Ocean, and we pretty much have our own personal chef's cause there's only a few people staying here. Right in Old Town Salvador. We head to another part of the island tomorrow, and will be in a hotel on the beach. So that will be ever so lovely. Maybe the internet won't be so confusing either!

So, rundown of the past few days... I wish I had brought my cord so I could upload pics, kicking myself for that now, I am going to have a LOAD to upload when we return to Curitiba on Monday or Tuesday. I am not even sure anymore what we are doing and when... 

Rio was amazing. I fell in love with that place and could see myself owning a place there on the beach one fine day, preferably right on Ipanema (too bad the prices are three times as much as they are in Curitiba!) They are currently preparing for the Olympics there, signs and statues are everywhere promoting the big event! They are even making the favelas there more presentable and livable so that people aren't afraid to come for the event. The economy is booming right now and it appears they are planning quite well.  So, I will be going and I actually want to get a group together to go with me! So whoever wants to join me in Rio for the Olympics, start saving up yesterday. :) It's going to be AMAZING.  We did a tour of Corcovado - one of the 7 wonders of the world - as well as a Jeep Tour through Tijuaca Forest... all incredible. So much information is in my brain, I don't know what to do with it! I will post more pics and videos to Facebook soon! As in within the week :) These are a fragmentary pieces of our journey the past week... 

HELLO RIO!!!!

Ipanema Beach!

Yes, those are rainbow flags and represent the gay section of the beach

Dos Irmãos! (Translation: Two Brothers)

BIRD FACE!!!! Feed me!!

The Famous Corcovado. "Christ Redeemer."

View from Corcovado

Total Tourists :)

Some famous white arches in Rio that I should know more about, apparently they are a tourist attraction!

Samba Bar!

The writer of all the songs written was there, watching  them play his songs! Que legal!

Waterfall in Tijuaca Forest (More pics to come)

Sister Natalie!!

Tobacco Trees were everywhere! They even smelled like nicotine. Crazy.

Rest stop in Tijuaca Forest




More photos to come! Bed time here in Salvador... Boa Noite. And CONGRATS TIFFANY ALATI on completing the Bar. We love you!

Foz do Iguaçu

Hi friends :) So, the family is here in Brazil and we are doing a 10 day trip to a few different places... Just returned from Foz do Iguaçu (Iguaçu Falls) and road tripped it due to missing our flight... so, I have now seen the ENTIRE countryside to the state of Paraná (East to West, West to East!) Let's just say I am also glad we made it back safely, because every time you enter a car here it is pretty much like saying you have a death wish. So, we are ALIVE! YAY! Acutally the drive back was quite decent... it's the road to São Paulo that is absolutely NUTSO.

Missing you all a lot. Enjoy the adventures...

Iguaçu Falls National Park

Nat and Dad waiting in line to purchase tix!

Cheaper in Brazil for Brazilians soooo we used our Brazilian passports of course!

Mama e irmã!

Bus ride to the falls!

The FIRST look!

Sissssster love 

So pensive...

We got SOAKED here. DRENCHED.

Bye Foz!

Parque das Aves!

I want one. My favorite bird of all time.

Parrot Party!

At a Churascarria in town!

Twirling Napkins!

Next stop... RIO :)

Florianopolis e Futebol!

This weekend we went to Florianopolis, aka Floripa, about four hours south of Curitiba and best known for its beaches. It's quite the amazing little city... and Mother Nature was kind enough to share a beautiful sunny two days in the middle of winter with us! 


I would also just like to mention and make everyone aware that I have now watched 6  futebol matches (yes this includes the Women's World Cup/ Copa do Mundo Feminino! sad ending, for sure) and I can't say I despise the sport anymore, (Hallelujah!) Being surrounded by only one sport on a constant basis, will do that to you... I guess. Helps too that there is an astounding amount of love and spirit emanating in this country for it! This we knew. It IS Brasil! It's just so much more visual when you're immersed in it! It really is super fun. -- Sports (and music)! Where would we be without them!

Jardims Grill -- the Churrascaria!

ANA!!!!! :)

Our Columbian friends!

A cool lil ride :)

The Pub we watched 4 games at!

Nightlife in Floripa!

SANNNNND DUUUUNES

"Uma Coca, por favor!" mmm yum

These were my favorite boards

dude natalie is rockkkkin that dune -- nice view huh!

Climbing back UP was such a task

Hi :)

E AI!!!!!

ck out that cute lil buggy

the Praia after sand boarding!

Natalie found a small child to play with. hahaha JK.

Nat and Dad walkin the praia

Watching the games with our Columbian friends Mariantonia and Sebastian! They are also taking Portuguese classes at Berlitz and speak flunet English. Great people!

Dad and Sebastian killin some cervejasss

View from the top of Floripa

and...Those were the dunes we conquered!

Mom and Demi arrive on Tuesday! Super excited. We'll be headed to Foz de Iguacu, Rio e Salvador! I'll update again soon! Until then... Still love you all!