Cachoeira do Horto (Horto Waterfalls) - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 If you are the adventurous type who enjoys all that nature has to offer Cachoeira do Horto is the place for you! Located within the immense National Park, Floresta de Tijuca, that the city of Rio de Janeiro encircles, is the gorgeous series of three waterfalls. These waterfalls are in the suburb, Jardim Botanico and are but a simple bus trip, or car trip and even walk if you're up for it, away. Although I must warn the small trek to reach these waterfalls is a moderate challenge and not for those who have weak knees, as there is scaling of rocks, and hefty inclines. The trek as I said is short and can be all done barefoot or even in your Havaianas, that is if you are courageous enough. The best time to visit these waterfalls is anytime in the day before 16:30, the icy chills from the fresh water are a perfect substitute for those trying to escape the chaos of the beach or just trying to escape the crazy summer heat.

An added bonus to the short trek to the waterfalls is the tropical wildlife that surrounds you, on my trip there I was greeted by some monkeys. Although I am fairly certain they only came out because of the food that one of the groups in front of us removed from their bags. 

If you are up for the trip here is the address to the waterfalls: 

Estrada Dona Castorina, 22 - Jardim Botanico, Rio - Rio de Janeiro, 22460-320, Brazil 

P.S. It's FREE, best way to spend a day when you're on a tight budget!

Praia de Copacabana (Copacabana Beach) - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

There's nothing better than spending a day on the beach, and there is no beach more iconic than Copacabana Beach. The pride and glory of all Carioca's (the name of people who live in the city) on a gorgeous summers day. Always filled and lively on most sunny days there is never a dull moment when you spend a day at Copacabana Beach. For me as an outsider it has a similar resemblance to a zoo, so many people all on the tiny stretch of beach. There are people of all sorts, shapes and sizes, commonly all wearing a similarly barely clad uniform, the heat of the sand and the sun creating a hazy air and in between all the umbrellas and beach chairs walk sales men of all types some with food, other with drinks, there were people selling clothes, shoes, sunglasses, jewellery, oils and creams; weaving there way in and out through the scorching hot sand. Football, volleyball, children swimming, men and women sunbathing, all bronzed under that glorious summer sun.  I have never seen nothing quite like it, a chaos that in so many ways is so entrancing that you can’t quite leave, your just stuck there staring in awe. And that's just the beach!

There is also that famous boardwalk, the pattern so famously printed across all sorts of clothing and towels. The board walk is gorgeous and it stretches across the length of the beaches coast line. Here too you will several people walking, riding, skating and jogging. There are plenty of venders here too, although in this city it's hard not find a vender in any place. 

 

 The walk to the other end of the beach to the Pedra do Leme is one I certainly recommend after spending a lazy day on the beach. The sunset is no doubt an added bonus and a lovely reward for endeavouring the long stretch of the boardwalk.

Hello and Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my travel blog! 

This blog will be a collection of all the nooks and crannies there are to explore in South America, in particular Brazil. An insight to a country that I call my second home. I hope you enjoy reading about this amazing country and all its lovely wonders.