Brazil Blog

Brazil Talk!

Calling Brazil!

Filed under: Brazil General - May 5th, 2005

For those of you travelling to Brazil, or who have family travelling there wondering what is the best and cheapest way to call, this article is one you should read. From previous experience I quickly learned that the phone companies such as AT&T or Bell are not the way to go. What I found that really worked are phone cards. The one I chose had no connection fees, and cost about 8-10 cents per minute depending where I call from. I recommend the no connections fee cards because sometimes you will have a very poor connection which is usually fixed with a quick call back.

To call Brazil you will need to dial:
Exit Country Code + 55 + City Code + The Number

City and City Code

Sao Paulo 11
Rio de Janeiro 21
Brasilia 61
Curitiba 41
Fortaleza 85
Campinas 19

Regions of Brazil

Filed under: Brazil General - April 2nd, 2005

If traveling is your passion, Brazil is your next destination. Brazil is an immense paradise located in the heart of South America. Brazil is divided into 5 regions. Bellow you can see the main cities of Brazil and the region in wich each city is located:

NORTH REGION (Amazonas);
NORTHEAST REGION (Bahia, Fortaleza, Recife);
WEST CENTRAL REGION (Brasilia);
SOUTHEAST REGION (Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro);
SOUTH REGION (Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina).

Maps courtesy of www.theodora.com/maps used with permission.

Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Filed under: Brazil General/ Rio de Janeiro - March 30th, 2005

Rio de Janeiro is located in the south-eastern corner of Brazil, in the state of Rio de Janerio. The population of Rio is approximately 8 million, making it the second largest city in Brazil. To Rio’s residents the city is known as “Cidade Maravilhosa,” or “Marvelous City.”

Rio is a popular tourist destination for both international tourists as well as Brazilians. The city is famous for it’s amazing beaches, incredible monuments, and of course the world famous Rio Carnival! During the summer months (November through to April) Rio de Janeiro is overrun with tourists. However, because Rio is located in the Sudeste region of Brazil, it’s reasonably warm all year round.

Pictures of Rio de Janeiro-Brazil

Micareta - The Carnival Off-Season Celebration

Filed under: Brazil General - March 29th, 2005

A micareta is a carnival celebration that happens during the off-season of carnival.The difference is that there is no parade. What you will commonly see during a micareta is a large truck playing loud music with people walking and dancing and singing behind this truck. Everybody in the micareta has the same shirt.

In Sao Paulo, the Micareta is commonly held at Faria Lima and is called Folia na Faria, but can also be seen throughout the city. In order to participate in this event, you must buy an abada. This is a shirt that also functions as your ticket to get into the micareta. You must wear the shirt provided because it is your ticket, and it also signifies unity. Another option to participate in the event is to buy a camorote. Whoever buys the camorote will be able to attend the VIP area, and will receive the same shirt as the abadas. The prices of camorotes goes from US $188 up to $ 452 and the abada prices goes from US $18 to $150.

CLICK HERE to see some Pictures of Brazil

Brazilian Money

Filed under: Brazil General - March 18th, 2005

Brazil is a very beautiful tropical country that has become one of the most popular tourist destination throughout the world. Besides the amazing beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the incredible Carnival Celebration and the friendly people, the brazilian currency is also one of the reasons that has made the numbers of visitors to this gorgeous Land incresead.

The local currency in Brazil is known as the real(R$). The real typically trades at a lower value, making visiting Brazil very accessible for international travelers from Europe and North America. Before going to Brazil, here you have the chance to see what brazilians bills looks like.

There are 7 different Brazilian Bills: R$ 1,00/2,00/ 5,00/ 10,00/ 20,0/ 50,00/ 100,00
Brazilian Bills

There are 6 different Brazilian Coins:R$ 0,01 /0,05/0,10/0,25/0,50/1,00
Brazilian Coins

Brasilia - the Capital of Brazil

Filed under: Brazil General/ Brasilia - March 14th, 2005

If you are thinking about going to Brazil, I would highly recommend that you include a visit to Brasilia on your route trip. The population of Brasilia is just over 2 million, which is quite a lot less than Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. In Brasilia there are many leisure options and beautiful architecture to see while visiting the Capital of Brazil

Brasilia is a different Brazilian tourist destination. There you will be able to see a lot about the history of Brazil, and as well the fancy Brazilian government buildings. A lot of the buildings in the city of Brasilia were specially designed by the famous architect - Oscar Niemayer in order to make Brasilia a very different and original city in the world.

During the afternoon, you will be able to present the beautiful sunset in one of the many tourists attractions spread out throughout the city. The Stained Glasses churches, governments buildings, historical monuments, television tower, Botanical Garden, Brasilia City Park and Zoo, are some of the most popular locations in the city. With a large green area, fresh pure air and good climate during all year, makes Brasilia a really enjoyable city to be visited while exploring the natural beauties of Brazil.

It is really easy to Book your flight to Brasilia

The flavourfull Brazilian Rice

Filed under: Brazil General - March 5th, 2005

Brazilians definately know how to make a really tasty bowl of rice!! Since I have returned home from Brazil, I have always cooked my rice the same way the Brazilians do. It’s really easy to do and the taste is so flavorful.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy recipe:

• 3 cups of white rice
• 1 spoon of salt
• 3 garlic cloves
• boiling water (better to have too much that not enough)
• enough oil to just cover the bottom of a medium-large sauce pan

Steps in how to make Brazilian Rice:

1. Wash the rice with clean water then leave it to strain while you prepare the other ingredients;
2. Put the water on to boil in a separate pot or kettle;
3. In a pot, put a little bit of oil, enough to cover the bottom of the pan;
4. Turn the heat on the stove and let the oil get hot (approximately 1 minute);
5. Using the garlic press, squish the garlic heads into the pot with oil;
6. After 1 minute put the dry rice and start stirring it still at a high heat;
7. While you stir the rice, add a spon of salt and mix it together;
8. After cooking it for 4 minutes, add the boiling water until all the rice is covered;
9. Cover the pot and turn the heat of the element on low; every 5 minutes add more water to make sure your rice is getting cooked and softer.
10. It will take approximately 20 minutes until your rice is ready. Once it is done, let it sit for about 5 mintues and then enjoy the flavorful Brazilian rice

Bon Appetit!

Brazilian Beats!

Filed under: Brazil General - March 5th, 2005

As many of you know, Brazil is a country full of fun and excitement. You never know what’s going to happen next! Well from personal experience this is increadibly true. During my travels throughout Brazil I realized that in this country… anything goes! I love the mentality of the Brazilians. One night as I was walking along the street, a car drove by with a man playing the guitar and singing. In no time at all, a group of people had walked up to the car window and started singing along with a car full of strangers.

Brazil has many different styles of music. My personal favorite is called Pagode. It has a great beat and can be danced to alone, with a partner, or in a big group. Another form of Brazilian music is forro. This music is a little mellower but still has a very alluring beat that will make you want to move your feet. The third type of music that you will most likely hear, especially in the more northern states of Brazil, is axe. Axe music gets everybody dancing. Many of the songs however are more like instructions telling people how to dance. For me, this was the most difficult to dance to because I hadn’t yet picked up on much Portuguese and I just tried to keep up.

If you ever get the chance to travel to Brazil, don’t be shy to go out and try dancing. Brazilians are extremely welcoming and would love the chance to help a gringa learn the steps.

Facilities at the Beaches

Filed under: Brazil General - March 5th, 2005

Most people may not know that almost all of the Beaches in Brazil offer a variety of facilities that can be used by the public. The most common facilities are fresh water showers, beach volleyball courts, and near by restaurants or mini-huts which sell food and drinks - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Some other features that will most likely be offered to you if you stay in a hotel near the beach are the use of an umbrella, chairs, and some form of security for your items. This is very beneficial because on many of the beaches it’s hard to find a nice place to set up an umbrella and chairs and it’s especially hard to trust that your items won’t get stolen when you go into the ocean for a swim. Make sure that when you go to Brazil you make good use of all the facilities that are offered at the beach, it will definately aid in the pleasure of your trip.

Link: Rio Beaches

Rio de Janeiro 440th Birthday!

Filed under: Rio de Janeiro - February 28th, 2005

Rio de Janeiro will be celebrating its 440th birthday on March 1st!! The city is ready to celebrate this memorable moment. Many celebrations will be going on throughout the city. Special presentations are going to be held at Corcovado, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach.

As part of the celebration, the ilumination of the Statue of Christ will be changed to color blue exceptionally in the night that Rio turns 440th . In this occasion the color blue will be representing Peace. For 2005, Promoting Peace is the theme to be reflected by catolic people during the Lent, so Rio’s Birthday Organizators deciced to use the same theme in their most popular Monument.

The celebration will be going on during the whole month of March. On March 21st the famous rock singer Lenny Kravitz will be performing alive on the beach of Copacabana. The concert will be opened to all the people on the beach for free.

It is summer time in Brazil, the weather is really hot, so here is a good oportunnity to visit Rio de Janeiro during its birthday. This city full of enchants will be even more beautiful during it’s month birthday.