Backpacing, Brazil.

Country/Town Visited: Brazil
Date of stay: Southern Summer 2006/7
Where you stayed: Backpackers/Cheap Hotels/Friends
Tour or pre planned: Pre-planned

Often described as a country of contrasts, Brazil really is a place with so much to offer. A country steeped in a rich history of different peoples coming together to make what a melting pot of culture it is today. 

Having lived in Brazil in 2003 I had experienced a big part of Brazilian culture but because of the sheer size of the place (larger than continental USA) there were large parts yet to be explored and so I set out to explore the coastal Brazil from the South to Northeast over the southern summer 2006/2007. I cannot stress how much more there is to Brazil than meets the eye, little is known about Brazil’s African influence which is greatest in the Northeast, its German and Italian influences in the South and its Japanese minority in the south and Southeast. These greatly different cultures have ingrained themselves in the South American nation and make the general culture and cuisine an interesting mix of Japanese/European fusion to Afro-Portuguese coconut infused dishes and everything in between. 

I entered Brazil through the Argentine border at Iguazu falls. Iguazu falls is a place not to be missed; its tropical setting attracts an abundance of flora and fauna that is simply amazing. I would highly recommend giving yourself plenty of time to explore the area and, unless your Portuguese or Spanish language is up to scratch, take a tour to save yourself the hassle of public transport. From the steamy tropics to the temperate South I ended up in Ilha do Mel, a quaint island off most International traveller’s paths it’s a place that attracts those seeking a quieter holiday and those chasing a little of the Portuguese history and stories of its forts and strongholds. This island can be reached via ferry and picturesque train or bus trip from Curitiba.

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