BRAZIL

Location - South America; Capital - Brasilia; Population - 188 million; Currency - Real

I crossed the Venezuela/Brazil border at Santa Elena in 1997, and continued to Manaus.

1 Brazilian Real

Manaus city centre

Hammock city - waiting for the boat to sail down the Amazon from Manaus to Belem

Brazilian Paty nicking my hammock, on the Amazon

An attempt at a Christmas tree at a Belem hostel

The old town of Sao Luis, North East Brazil

Sao Luis old town

Grounds of a pousada at Jericoacoara, between Sao Luis and Fortaleza

Jericoacoara - to get here it's a 4 wheel drive over sand dunes

Preparing for Christmas in the old town of Olinda

Lovely views over Olinda

Olinda and the Atlantic Ocean

Meeting up with the family of a friend living in London, Recife - Pessia, Tatiana, Peri

Cachoeira - the home of the Candomble religion, which was brought to Brazil by African slaves. I was lucky enough to attend a Candomble ceremony in this town, a fascinating experience

Click here for more info on Cachoeira and Candomble

Terreiro de Jesus square in Salvador da Bahia

The former slave auction site of Largo do Pelourinho, Salvador da Bahia

Christmas time in Salvador da Bahia

Members of Olodum go drumming in the old quarter of Salvador da Bahia - the energy of this music is fantastic

Click here for more info on Olodum

Carnaval puppet on Christmas Eve, Salvador da Bahia

With Ricardo, Justine and Jenny in the old quarter of Salvador

Christmas Day on Itaparica Island, close to Salvador

We chanced upon locals preparing gifts for the Candomble spirits on Itaparica Island. Many were placed in tiny boats and sent out to sea

Candomble priest, known as the Mother of the Saint, Itaparica Island

The beach at Arraial d'Ajuda

View of Corcovado from Sugar Loaf mountain, Rio de Janeiro

Looking down on Botafogo and Copacabana from Sugar Loaf, Rio de Janeiro

What a time for my camera to pack up - so instead, a postcard of Christ the Redeemer standing atop Corcovado Hill, Rio de Janeiro

Rodrigo de Freitas lake with Corcovado in the background, Rio de Janeiro

Maracana football stadium, Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro. Sugar Loaf is the tall narrow 'mountain' in the background

The Paranagua to Curitiba train

In front of the hugely impressive Iguacu Falls

The Brazilian side of Iguacu Falls

Iguacu Falls, on the Brazil/Argentina/Paraguay border

Iguacu Falls

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2012 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.braziltourism.org - Brazil tourist office

www.artourismbrazil.com

www.braziltravelinformation.com

www.brazilmax.com - 'hip guide to Brazil'

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.