brazil – SolJorn

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Part 2

August 13, 2016June 5, 2017Anna Schweitzer

Beach strolls, decadent food, sky high views with the complete color spectrum, caipirinhas, the heat and the sun….these are a few of my favorite things. From Copacabana we headed to Flamengo Beach and easily found a spot to dig our feet in. And what a view, we had a calm ocean and a striking Sugarloaf Mountain. The area was far less touristy than Copacabana and the locals took in their daily dose of Vitamin D by standing, not laying. All around folks, in groups and alone, stood and rotated like clockwork. Given the name of the beach, I immediately associated it with brilliantly pink and orange flamingos, known for their water side standing. The Brazilian tan is often envied and so its clear their practice is strong. Stand, take in the appropriate amount of sun, be alert and rotate. We felt like amateurs, bringing our towels to nap on and roast like lobsters and so we most definitely looked the part… tourists! Read more →

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Part 1

July 7, 2016June 5, 2017Anna Schweitzer

Rio de Janeiro…say it out loud. Saying or hearing the name elicits an onslaught of meaning paired with sensual images of danceirs with fast hips and tanned peoples on the beach in barely there swim suits. The name alone sounds like a song and she turned out to be a true city’s city. She’s got it down, from the fine dining, one of kind libations, fancy dressers and a landscape for everyone’s liking. The streets jut upward with piles of apartment living and are lined with pastry shops, cafes and a never ending stream of taxis. The city transitions into beaches dotted with colorful umbrellas and then into the ocean with its myriad of coastal coned islands breaking the horizon.

Pantanal, Brazil Heat and Adventures

June 16, 2016June 5, 2017Anna Schweitzer

In the Pantanal, heavy rains spread out over a flat landscape, refilling and pooling each year to create the world’s largest wetland. During the rainy season from November to April, up to 80 percent of the land is covered in water, taking visitors off their feet and into boats to navigate the lush and lively habitat. We arrived at the end of October when the Brazilian sun worked efficiently to evaporate the standing water, leaving the land mostly dry and accessible. The signs of the regions cycle were evident in the night’s brilliant thunderstorms, ushering in the next seasons arrival. Read more →

Brazil: Chapada dos Guimaraes

April 18, 2016June 5, 2017Anna Schweitzer

Brazil has a territory larger than the continental US and planning where to go and which places to leave for another time can be challenging. To help, we input geographical and cultural data into our logarithmic weighted decision matrix. Unfortunately, Matt spilled beer on it so we decided to go the Pantanal because we might see Jaguars. Right!! Read more →

Snapshot Brazil

April 13, 2016June 5, 2017Anna Schweitzer

Sunlight and all the colors, Brazil makes you want to keep your eyes open and take in every moment. It’s been a few months since our visit and so to be reacquainted like a good friend, we want to pick up right where we left off and share some of our favorite sights and moments. These are just the starting notes to the beautiful time we spent in the Pantanal with our expert guide Andre and in Rio de Janeiro. Read more →