/countries/show/brazil/1.rss en-us Brazil in mid-summer is hot. My wife and I needed to escape the summer doldrums, and so we found a place up the highway where the folks are making music the old way. After reading about a festival of Congo musicians in the local paper, a trip to Timbui up the highway was in store to check it out. In front of the country church, a converging marching band were preparing to parade. Around a street fire, men began playing heavy rhythms, and women started to twirl in white dresses and wave big flags. A shout chorus of Portuguese lyrics lifted into the air telling of religious and agricultural folklore. Among the bands, burly men in harnesses rolled a huge fake boat through the streets in honour of St. Benedict. Congo, a folklore tradition common in the state of Espirito Santo, is something equivalent to fiddle bands in the U.S. that used to tour the Appalachia playing the revival tent circuit. In the 1950s the work of Alan Lomax and the Smithsonian Institute helped Appalachian music to enter the American mainstream. Brazil also popularized its folk music styles; samba most prevalent among them. But Brazil is full of regional styles. Congo missed the boat and continues today as it always has, unchanged since slave times. Congueros are poor folk, mostly African-Indian mestizos. They are sharecroppers, pot makers and labourers living together in pockets around the state. This thing called Congo all started one day in the mid 19th century when a slave ship out of Palermo, having stopped in Africa to pick up slaves, was shipwrecked in a storm off the coast of nearby Serra. Twenty-one slaves were saved by clinging to pieces of the ship, and they eventually washed up on shore. It was proclaimed by the locals, already deeply entrenched in Portuguese Catholicism, to be a miracle of Saint Benedict: the only African ever canonized, beloved to the poor for his humility, generosity and good cooking. This legend melded with a music and dance tradition among the slaves who lived in shacks outside the towns. Because social roles here have not changed a whole lot, the tradition remains as a window into the past. The intersection of three cultures is as apparent as though the colonizers’ boats were still anchored in the bay and curious natives still peeked out from the mangroves. The music is drum heavy and African sounding. They play old barrels, painted with their troop’s colours, stretched with animal skin and tuned over a fire. The drums look exactly as though an African slave, in a fit of nostalgia, had scrapped together a new world version of a tribal drum. Other musicians play rattles or multi-grooved long hollow boxes that are rasped with a stick. These come straight from Amer-Indian traditions, and all of it is organized around the religion, materials and customs of the Catholic Portuguese. Congo took this form when the Africans and the Indigenous people fit their religious traditions into the mold that the Portuguese had imposed. Until the middle of the last century, slaves weren’t allowed inside the big stone churches, but congregated outside to celebrate in their own way. Catholics of European decent would parade an idol to the Cathedral on Saint’s days, accompanied by a brass band and the clergy. The excluded slaves made their own processions. They found their own saint, the black saint, and put him in a miracle boat. Church music was replaced with drumming, and the ranks of pious church members were replaced by a jubilant mass of shouting and twirling revellers. Around New Year’s, with no funding or endorsement, and largely unrecognized by commerce, mass-culture or time, Congueros continue to come together to sing and dance all over the state. They come to talk about the harvest and the price of rice, and to thank their saint for small blessings. So if you’re in mid-coast Brazil during the summer, and you're bored of the beach, consider being the only tourist in sight on a dusty lane as you follow a jubilant procession of a thousand country folk. They will be waving flags and hauling a boat and singing songs a hundred years old praising Saint Benedict—a poor ex-slave who found peace and happiness in nothing more than his faith and simple pleasures. Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:45:15 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/festival-of-saint-benedicto http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/festival-of-saint-benedicto The carnival in Salvador de Bahia is recognized by Guinness World Records to be the largest street party in the world. This is truly a massive week of partying, attended by hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors, and literally millions of Brazilians. The secret to surviving and having a good time is to learn some background before you arrive; and then travel light and go with the flow. Do some research ahead of time so that you'll understand what going on when the party flares up! Salvador's Carnival centers around local schools, or blocos, that organize massive marching bands complete with dancers and costumes. If you know a little about the key players, it will help you clue in to the action. Besides having a good time, each school is competing to be the freshest of the year. The groups practice all year long in order to compete for just one night during the carnival in Salvador de Bahia when they will take to the streets en masse. Finalists go on to the championship during the last night, with the winner earning a year of fame and glory. Salvador's Carnival has evolved over the last century to highlight Afro descendants in counterpoint to Rio's glamourous Euro-influenced traditions. While the famous Rio Carnival is best seen from the bleachers, Carnival in Salvador is everyone together in the street. The pop rock party music called Axé, developed by the schools, has become widely popular in recent decades, making Salvador the current Brazilian pop culture incubator. During Carnival in Salvador, events transpire that will reverberate throughout Brazilian popular culture all year long. It's important to distinguish that there are two distinct carnivals happening side by side. The massive pop cultural event happens downtown and at the beach. In Pelorinho, the old part of the city, a historic carnival is held, connected to Afro-Christian religious rites, and the schools tend to be a bit more spiritual. Here you'll see giant puppets and children's parades. One of the most famous schools is the Filhos de Gandhi (sons of Gandhi): a religious men's organization that has mashed together Gandhi's ideals as a freedom fighter, with the local Candomblé religious rites. Participants wear terry cloth turbans, play trance-inducing heavy percussion music (called Afoxé), make offerings to the Orishas, and spritz pretty ladies with perfume. The cultural blend is a head scratcher, but it sure is interesting. Meanwhile, downtown, a modern party rages. The most famous schools are African-themed like Olodum, Ilé Aiyé, and Timbalada. The dominant musical styles reflect tribal drumming influences as well as reggae and rock, and the focal point of each school is a trio electrico. These are customized tractor-trailers that have been outfitted with huge speakers and a platform on top for the stars. They cruise through the crowds at about one mile an hour. A moving rope cordon around the truck protects and distinguishes the group's huge entourage, the band, and the dancers. In some cases we're talking about 4,000 people, or more. Many visitors choose to buy membership in one of these schools before they arrive. The standard package includes the group's t-shirt and admission into the group as official entourage. This isn't a bad idea as it gives you a method for navigating the party. You can attend practices and exclusive events, and it's fun to have a team to root for. Entry into these groups is a bit expensive, but it does buy you some protection within the cordon around the trio electrico. Also, your money supports the city and its traditions. If you tackle the streets alone and unaffiliated, it still helps to know a basic rundown of events and highlights. There will be posters pasted up everywhere as well as plentiful internet and TV coverage. Knowing who's in the competition and their social relevancy will help you get more out of the party. Choose some events to check out, but mostly just to give you some direction, even if you end up getting side tracked en route. Remember that Salvador Carnival is the biggest street party in the world. It is huge, chaotic and wild. There are more hot dancing bodies pressed into one place than you can imagine. There is no easy way to get out once you're in, and the city effectively becomes a lawless zone. The crush can be so intense that your feet may leave the ground at times. The best attitude is to relax and let the crowd take you along. If you're with friends, arrange meeting places in case of separation. The whole concept of Carnival is to turn society on its head and invert social norms. Therefore, sexy behaviour and heavy drinking are a given. Though the Brazilians understand it inherently, Americans and Europeans often aren't quite sure how to behave in these situations. The trick is to relax and keep smiling. Don't take advances, either sexual or aggressive, too seriously. It's all just excited play, so don't get attached. Remember, a smile goes a long way even if you're not sure exactly what's going on.** Undoubtedly you will enjoy Carnival in Salvador much more if you take the time to understand what's going on. Wherever you end up, remember to relax and go with the flow. Trying to fight this kind of crowd is impossible; but if you let them carry you along, you'll wind up inside the world-famous Brazilian Carnival. Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:47:59 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/carnival-salvador http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/carnival-salvador It's not easy to get to, but once you get there you won't want to leave. This just might be the beach you go to in your mind when you need to relax. Here at Boipeba the Inferno river cuts through a vast mangrove estuary carving a palm-covered island out of the tropical Atlantic coast. The climate is perfect, the water is warm, and the locals are cool. Crowds are non-existent (this is a protected area so no roads) but the conveniences you find here are quaint, affordable, and local. Back to the beach: though it's all smooth white sand and coconut palms, you'll find more to do here than just sunbathe. The confluence of the waters where the river meets the ocean and the reef creates a vast area of stunning effects; there are plenty of pools and channels to explore. Trails climb up from Boipeba beach into the rainforest and lead to other villages on the island, every nook a paradise. Colorful local fishing boats abound here hunting on the reef for shrimp, fish and crabs. Offer them a few reais and hitch a ride if you want, why not? This is Brazil where anything goes. At night you'll see nary a light on the horizon, just warm breezes and night sounds from animals in the multiple ecosystems found here in Boipeba. Close to the villages there are some restaurants and posadas where you will eat and sleep well. Most take credit cards. The one we stayed in provided the best free breakfast I've ever had with fresh papaya, pineapple, toast and cheese, coffee and juice, and two kinds of cake. We still talk about it. There are no cars here, deliveries are made by tractor. Otherwise your feet are your transport. You'll be amazed how relaxing it is to forget about traffic for awhile. Don't forget this is Brazil. Mangos, Cashews, and all kinds of other amazing foods grow right here, and the seafood was swimming free this morning. Treat yourself to a moqueca (fish and coconut stew). Enjoy exploring the forests, salt-marshes and the beach, then walk back to the village to refresh. The occasional strains of reggae or techno emanating from a hut near the beach adds a nice touch of enchantment to the place without overdoing it. Although now it feels like the back of beyond, Boipeba was one of the first settled by the Portuguese in the early 1500's. Established as a way-station on the profitable journey to India, the Jesuits stayed on here in efforts to convert the local Tupi Indians. You can visit Jaguar Cave (Cova da Onça) where they hid when the locals attacked. Decades later Boipeba island experienced changes when Salvador de Bahia became the colonial capital). Boipeba, from a Tupi word meaning sea turtle, went through wood extraction and agricultural phases. When transport moved on to roadways in the twentieth century, Boipeba receded into the background where it has remained a collection of tranquil fishing villages and recently an eco-tourism destination. Because most visitors come from Salvador across the bay, Boipeba is now quite remote and minimally visited. Tourism has picked up and is encouraged by the locals, but because it's a protected area far from roads, it seems likely that the place will remain largely unspoiled. Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:11:59 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/boipeba-beach http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/boipeba-beach Like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia, Recife in Brazil is best known for it's jubilant carnival. But Recife, the fourth largest metropolitan area in Brazil, deserves a closer look after all the crowds have left. There is plenty to see in Recife, but the most appealing thing about the city is the easygoing and modernist attitude of its residents. Unlike Salvador: rooted in the past, or Rio: trying hard to be glamorous, Recife is laid back and open-minded. It's full of youth organizations, graffiti artists, innovative musicians and otherwise friendly and interesting folk. Recife feels like a place where stuff is happening. The best thing to do upon arriving in Recife is to find a cultural program guide in a hostel, hotel or store. I found an office at the bus station where two very attractive girls were happy to go through the guide with me in broken English. In the end, they even gave me their phone numbers; so friendly! Spending some time understanding the local literature and figuring out public transportation will serve you very well. I found cheap percussion lessons, art shows, a political youth squat, a symphony concert, and an open-air cultural music presentation all by using the guide. One of the must-sees in Recife is a traditional drumming style called “maracatu.” These are huge drum groups making thunderous noise on wooden military style stick drums and big pig-iron bells. Like Samba, this music has roots in the intersections of Portuguese, African, and Indigenous cultures. The rhythms are individually simple, but layered together to create a groovy syncopation that is undeniably funky. The best time to see maracatu is on weekend evenings downtown. The Praça do Marco Zero has a stage for concerts and events, and the streets Bom Jesus and Rua da Moeda also have bands, maracatu, live guitar, etc. The Patio de São Pedro, in the centre of old Recife, offers events with folkloric shows and dances on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (maracatu, caboclinho, afoxe). Most live shows are on the early side; so don't dawdle. Also, a little Internet research will help you get more out of the show by appreciating these traditions in cultural context. As the evening wears on, the waterfront area in the old part of town empties out, and by nine o'clock you'll find yourself alone with the street urchins. Get a move on and check out the Rua do Apolo with its funky graffiti and cool bars. Alternatively, you can head to the south side of town, called the Boa Viagem district, for bar hopping and good restaurants. Stroll along the beach and you'll find everything you could want to eat or drink. At Boa Viagem square or at Pavao Leao street, you're likely to find forró and other local music acts. Don't be shy, go on in and see some burning local band or a pick-up Samba jam session. Keep your eyes open and your possessions close, but don't worry. The bars have security and they don't want anything to happen to you. In recent years, Recife has garnered a reputation in Brazil as a fertile incubator for new musical talent. New bands spring up all the time here. The beloved Chico Science started in Recife, and a whole movement called Mangue Beat evolved when young people from the region mixed multiple folk influences with rock and pop. While visiting Recife, you can see the venerated traditions that spawned all this creativity, and also the new sounds that are continually evolving here. During the day enjoy the beautiful beaches, the bridges and canals (Recife is often called the Venice of Brazil), and nearby Olinda, a UNESCO world heritage site. At night, take some time to get into this uniquely hip city with its interesting history and its flourishing musical culture. You may be witnessing the birth of a new style. Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:32:42 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/recife-music-maracatu http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/recife-music-maracatu One of the most notable Brazilian exports to have taken root globally is the martial art/dance tradition of Capoeira. Organized into academies like Karate or Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira schools are peppered throughout Europe and the U.S. For many people, Capoeira dance is their first introduction to Brazilian culture. Increasingly, many of them decide to make a pilgrimage to Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, considered by many to be the cradle of the art. The story goes that during slave times the African and indigenous slaves were forbidden to fight or organize. Cleverly, they masked their battle practice as an African tribal dance. The overlords were happy that the slaves were pacified, and their slaves stayed fit and ready to resist when the opportunity arose. There are tie-ins with the legendary Quilombos: towns in the jungle where escaped slaves lived and organized rebellion. Capoeira schools are now integrated into most Brazilian towns as a community anchor, youth centre, and cultural stronghold. Whether you already study or want to get started, Salvador is full of Capoeira academies that cater to foreigners as well as real deal local joints. Some places offer both. Learning Capoeira in Bahia can be a great way to have an active vacation while exploring a unique and distinctly Afro-Brazilian cultural tradition. Capoeira is split into two main schools: Angola and Regional. Regional Capoeira is more glammy with high fast kicks and spins. Angola Capoeira is generally recognized as the real deal, with an emphasis on cultural unity and health. The trick to enjoying Capoeira in Bahia is to approach it with the right mix of respect, dedication, and playfulness. Like Asian martial art traditions, Capoeiristas are all about respect, and they observe a strict hierarchy of students, professors, and masters. But unlike its counterparts, Capoeira is not at all stoic. Music and fun are as important as discipline. I never met a Capoeirista who didn't go out for beers on occasion after class. Sometimes the masters are fat or loud-mouthed, but they're always jolly cunning devils, highly knowledgeable in folklore and song as well as the moves. After stretching and practicing different slow and low moves like back bends, crouches, round house kicks and the essential defensive strut called jenga, most Capoeira classes culminate in a roda, or circle, where players spar. For the roda, several members take up instruments: a deep drum called an atabaque, tambourines, bells, and the distinctive berimbau (a wooden bow strung with wire and a hollow gourd). The wire is alternately tapped with a stick and muted with a flat stone, and the hand that holds the stick also holds a woven shaker. The combined sound of all the instruments is drone-like and distinctly African, and the call and response lyrics evoke wide-ranging folk themes. Once the music has started, the other participants sit in a circle that includes the band. Fighter/dancers pair up and shake hands before cartwheeling into the ring to spar. Mostly non-contact, fighters playfully respond to each-others' movements, trying to doge attacks and trip up their opponent. Style points are important and are awarded by shouts from the enthusiastic band. The deeper you get into Capoeira in Salvador, the more you will learn about playing the instruments, singing the songs, and different complicated moves like flips, handstands, and jump kicks. Many people love the daily workout and the friendly competition; others thrive on the cultural atmosphere. Basically, Capoeira is an endorphin rush, combining music, dance, and kick-ass moves into a friendly festive atmosphere. When choosing a Capoeira school, look for established ones organized under a recognized master with a good reputation. If there's an academy in your town, go to a few classes in order to get the feel in your own language. The teacher will have opinions about your upcoming trip. There is plenty of basic information on the Web, and then you can visit Capoeira schools and ask other foreigners when you're there. Don't pay more than a reasonable local price. The best experiences will be had at locally attended institutions. One good model is to sign up for an early class to get you moving. By midday you're done. You can shower and eat and spend the afternoon at the beach or downtown. Being new to the art of Capoeira and not speaking Portuguese, it can be intimidating to find yourself pitted against some local dude with bulging muscles the first day of class. But if you're humble and attentive, the others will kindly help you along. The more truly interested you seem, the more they'll accept you. Brazilians are proud of their tradition and are happy to share it. Eventually you'll earn your own nickname (“The Poet,” “Shadowman,” “The Spider,” etc. usually based on your playing style), and then you'll know you're in. If you happen to cross paths with the occasional macho xenophobe and he decides to school you in the ring, don't worry; he won't actually hurt you. Take it in stride as a right of passage and try to learn from the experience. Once you've vindicated yourself as not just another gringo by learning the art of Capoeira, you will discover a whole cultural world opening up. You can now banter with students from other schools, socialize with classmates, or join an informal roda on the beach. You'll begin to recognize other Capoeiristas around town. Learning Capoira can be a great entry point into the culture as you learn cool exercises, self-defence, killer dance moves, and how to play a berimbau. Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:32:58 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/capoeira-bahia http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/capoeira-bahia A dominant image of the Brazilian street party is being swept up in a crowd of joyful participants, abandoning restrictions, and living in the moment. There are throbbing crowds, tropical music, and a beach backdrop. Carnival can be too big for some, so there is a Catholic celebration every January in Salvador de Bahia that offers all that Carnival brings, and more. The Lavagem do Bonfim in Salvador will be the best and craziest Catholic party, if not the best all around party you've ever been to. The roots of the Lavagem do Bonfim festival are tied to an old Baroque church built by the Portuguese in the 1750s in lower Salvador: The Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. During this time Salvador was experiencing dramatic cultural melding as the colonizing Portuguese, the enslaved Africans, and Indigenous groups were forced together in the smelter of this slave-active New World port city. As in other places where African religion met Catholicism, an interesting evolution of the faith developed. Not recognized by the Vatican, but also prohibited from worshiping alongside Europeans, the African slaves incorporated Catholic dogma into their African Religions, associating each Saint with a corresponding orisha. Because the Church of Nosso Sehhor do Bonfim was a main fixture in a key area of black settlement, it became an important symbol for the people. Our Lord of the Good End came to represent for the Brazilian Africans: Oxalá, the creator of mankind. Perhaps the most central deity in the pantheon, Oxalá represents God the father. Groups of worshipers organized around the church, and great devotion became widespread. Candomblé is the name in Brazil for the main branch of this religious synthesis, which is considered a cult or tribal religion, and its connections to Christianity are undeniable. Either way, it's widespread here, and you'll see it in full effect during the Lavagem do Bonfim festival. The important families of Candomblé are still very influential among black communities in Salvador. The past here is vividly remembered, and the faith remains genuinely strong. The devotion as the faithful wash the steps of the church (lavagem), launch boats and fireworks, go to mass, etc., is very real, along with the intensity of the party. The most accessible part of the ten-day festivities, and the most spectacular, is the huge all-day procession when thousands of people leave from downtown Salvador to walk 8 km through neighborhoods to the Church. In order to better pass the time, scores of local samba and samba-reggae groups show up to march. These are percussion groups comprising dozens of members thundering out infectious tropical grooves on big side slung drums and bells. Each group has its colors and theme and corresponding place in Salvador culture. There are women's groups, African pride, youth groups, and groups that you will have a hard time identifying. In Brazil, drinking on the street is no big deal. Ramshackle stands all along the route and guys with coolers offer cheap capirinhas, beer, barbecue, and everything else. The procession is lead by rows and rows of distinguished elders dressed in white to honour Oxalá. The women wear big hoop skirts and head wraps in the old Bahiana style. They're fanning themselves, carrying flowers and scented water, and trancing out to the cacophony. This sweaty mass of blissful worshipers lasts several hours, and pulses down the avenue, sweeping you and your friends along, inviting you in, mixing it up. If you get tired you rest, if you're thirsty you drink then rejoin the flow. We slipped down an alley to the beach and swam to hang out on some guy's boat for a while. Normally I wouldn't do that sort of thing, but in this atmosphere, inhibitions are best abandoned. As different bands enter and leave your immediate aural zone, you are exposed to the current sound of a Salvador street party, some of the best in Brazil. Eventually you get there in time to witness other events and occurrences that you will little understand, but that's okay. Part of the fun of Salvador Carnival is being in way over your head, forced to form impressions about things that are completely foreign to you. Be respectful, always. The celebratory vibe here is infectious, and you'll quickly feel welcomed, if not exactly at home. Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:00:16 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/lavagem-do-bonfim http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/lavagem-do-bonfim In the middle of the poor and dusty central plains of the Brazilian state of Bahia, there arises a highland plateau that can only be described as a natural paradise. Chapada Diamantina National Park is about 1,500 square kilometers, including hills, valleys, monoliths and mountains. Here you will find rivers rambling through the semi-arid tropical forest where fruit trees overhang the banks. Waterfalls and natural slides abound. On the forest floor you'll encounter crystals, and underground are caves where gold and diamonds have been discovered. “Chapada” means a region of steep cliffs near a plateau. The name Diamantina stuck after diamonds were discovered here in the mid 19th century. There are parts of the park that look like a green Arizona. Other parts are covered by cool green forests and cascading rivers, and a few villages are scattered inside the park, including Vale do Capao that sits tucked in the shadow of the 400-metre vertical cliff—containing Brazil's highest waterfall: Fumaça (“Smokey”). The village of Lençóis is the main stop on the bus line from Salvador. In this small and funky old mining town you'll find eco-touristy hostels and restaurants mixed in with the rural natives. Other towns in the park are a little harder to get to by bus, but are far more scenic. Though you're likely to meet other cool travellers in Chapada Diamantina Park, it's not a crowded place and you can easily wander alone in paradise. After a day or two lounging by river pools eating mangoes, you may want some action. Never fear, there are many eco and adventure trip options available all over the park. You can book a tour easily in Lençóis, Mucugé or Vale do Capao. Many of the hostels will be visited each morning by a guide in a land rover, and if the day's adventure sounds good, you can usually hop right onboard. A guide isn't necessary to see the sights of Chapada Diamantina, but a car is; so if you've arrived by bus from Salvador, organized day trips are a good option. These trips include hiking, exploring caves, zip-lining, river exploration, waterfall visits, and more. Chapada Diamantina is a place you will probably dream about coming back to. Or maybe you'll decide to build a house here like Jimmy Page did. The overwhelming natural beauty is easily accessible, an eco-conscious and earthy vibe prevails, and opportunities to explore abound. Chapada Diamantina National Park offers a perfect counterpoint to the aggressive vibe of Salvador on the coast. If you're travelling to Bahia, be sure to include a visit! Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:20:47 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/chapada-diamantina http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/chapada-diamantina As the bow of the river boat cuts gently through the water, you might have a hard time placing that those waters are actually that of the largest, most feral waterway in the world, The Amazon River. Locked between the Ucayali River and the Maranon River, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve forms the mouth of the Amazon River. As one of the largest protected areas in Peru, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve cradles abundant eco-diversity in its lush rainforest canopy. One of the biggest lures of an Amazon River cruise, aside from the convenience of a mobile luxury location amidst wilderness, is the wildlife. Spanning over 6,475,000 sq. km, the Amazon Basin represents 54% of all remaining rainforest on the planet. Although it is sparsely populated by humans, it is teeming with Amazon River wildlife. Home to tens of thousands of plants, over 2,000 birds and mammals, and crawling with some 2.5 million insect species, adventurers partaking in an Amazon River cruise must be comfortable being in the heart of a habitat home to anaconda and jaguars, some of the deadliest and most frightening creatures in the world. Despite the creepy crawly factor, the Amazon Rainforest will enchant you with rare looks at species like the pink and gray river dolphins, brilliant macaws, sloths, and howler monkeys. Journeying deeper into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, exploration isn't limited to the river boat. Hikes and smaller guided boat tours get you up close and personal with the Amazon River wildlife. Here expert guides will teach you about the symbiotic relationships between plants and animals, and of life on the Amazon River. The diversity of plant life in the Amazon Rainforest is the highest anywhere in world, some experts speculate that a square kilometer can hold some 75,000 types of trees and over 150,000 species of plant life. Exploring Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is like entering another world. But if your going to explore the Amazon River, there's no better way than a river boat cruise that can make you feel right at home in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest. Thu, 13 May 2010 13:45:41 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/amazon-cruise http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/amazon-cruise Rio de Janeiro savors the title of Carnival Capital of the world, as it hosts the largest, wildest, most indulgent Carnival celebrations annually. The public celebration includes street parties, parades, circuses and masquerades. Some of Carnivals attractions are free like the street carnival but others like the Samba Parade and the marvelous Balls are not, so look to book your tickets in advance. The Samba parade, the highlight for many, takes place from dusk till dawn at the Sambodromo, a 700 meter long parade strip. This show is the stage for an exhilarating competition by the top 14 samba schools, each outfitted in lavish costumes, despite that the participants are usually from the poorest neighborhoods. Each school is accompanied by marching samba bands, floats, and of course the flamboyant scantily clad dancers and singers. With a single school reaching upwards of 4000 people it’s easy to imagine the enormity of the party, as well as the chaos. To avoid pure chaos the organizers give a theme to each year and spend countless hours choreographing and rehearsing to make the parade a seamless ensemble. The atmosphere is so energetic and beats so catchy, that you'll be hard pressed to stop yourself from dancing. Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:55:48 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/rio-carnival http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/rio-carnival