A simple but charming place, with very rich biodiversity. The paths beneath your feet seem to have been built by landscape gardeners, and it is all done by the wind, water and fire. Millions of years ago it used to be an ocean, but today is the headwaters of many Brazilian rivers, especially in Amazonia.
Urubici is the highest point in Santa Catarina and It already registered the lowest degree in the country, -17,8ºC in 1996. It was in the morning, before leaving for a trail at 7:40 PM, that I had the pleasure of taking this photo when the city was hidden by a fog typical from the region. It seemed like I was on clouds.
About 25 km, 5 different trails in 3 days in Urubici. If we had more time we would have done more, the city has 82 waterfalls and is investing on tourism. Lots of water, fresh air, plantations, hills, rocks, ups and downs. The group was great, fun people of different ages and professions sharing the passion for nature and hiking.
Around 5:30pm, tourists and local people climb 30m to be on top of Duna do Pôr-do-Sol to watch the sun plunge into the ocean. It is very beautiful, all the spectators applauding and cheering in the end. Something admired not only by human beings…
Cambará is a modest little town in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, with lovely inns and pleasant restaurants where you can eat delicious homemade food. I got to know everything I wanted in just a weekend.
On our last day, a boat ride to spot some humpback whales. In the up and down swing at the sea, we caught a female diving after its calf. Beautiful and unforgettable.
Farol de Santa Marta is a small piece of land that joins the sea. It is difficult to get there, but it’s worthwhile. It may be a nostalgic place for some Brazilians.
Whoever goes to Foz do Iguaçu has the opportunity to visit 3 countries in one day or in three – like I did. When the rivers Iguaçu and Paraná meet it is possible to see the Brazilian, Argentinean and Paraguayan flags, each one in its own country. My main reason for going there was to see the waterfalls and the nature. As we had little time, we chose for a package tour. We set off at PARQUE DAS AVES – really interesting, you can get inside the huge cages, close enough to the animals. And, with (good or bad) luck, they can land on your arms. Most pictures I took from inside the cages.
Whoever goes to Rocha – Uruguay, finds several options of leisure and accommodation – starting in CHUY, great for shopping spree in the freeshops and for those who like gambling. On the Brazilian side there is BARRA DO CHUI, a beach with rock formations and a lighthouse. Crossing the border, there is FORTE SAN MIGUEL with great architecture and a museum.
Cassino really is a unique beach – besides being the largest one (over two hundred kilometres) – and unusual things happen, like nowhere else in Brazil. On a buggy, motorbike or 4×4 it is possible to travel on the shore until Uruguay.