1. Carnaval : Rio do Janeiro, Brazil

Boaaaa noite !

Tudo bem para voce ? Welcome to Brazil and the so called “Cidade Maravilhosa”: RIO DO JANEIRO. My number 1 by far for my year 2010.

After my tour of the road wines in Mendoza, I went back to Buenos Aires and took my flight with GOL Airlines (so Brazilian) for the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro.

I won’t talk about my first night in Rio which was let’s say “very special” but still I was on Ipanema early morning taking a shower with local “Cariocas”.

During my week in Rio, I had the chance to eat “açai with granola” and maracuya juice almost every morning. Delicious.  I couldn’t miss a good “churrasco” which is the equivalent to Argentina’s famous meat with friends for the night.

When you are staying front beach in Ipanema, life is easier. But some of the best beaches in Rio are few kilometers away. Like Jao Tinga. We can take the bus, but taxis do it better. My nickname started in Rio because I was always ready to take a cab. Moreover, I had the moves to attract taxis to come to me: “O Rei Do Taxi”. Yes I am!

I went on an early morning to visit the Corcovado. I could see it already when I arrived in Rio. Don’t be mistaken, the Corcovado is the hill where stands by "O Cristo Redentor".

Overwhelming and beautiful, you can feel the protection given to the city. Not as big as thought, but still, it’s worth it. As the panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro from the Corcovado…

Let’s go to my main subject, O Carnaval! The explosion of “alegria” which is the genes of each Brazilian, I’ve never seen such happiness, colors and joy in a country. Slightly different from life in Paris.

We went late night to see the show at the Sambodrome, the main venue for the defiles of samba’s schools. While we were getting from the Sambodrome, we picked up costumes that were thrown up after the show of schools. You will see on the pictures what we found! We arrived for the school called “Mangueira”, and we became fans singing the song “Meu coraçao è Verde e Rosa” all night. Wonderful time.

We went back to Ipanema after this amazing night, and day was just starting. We took pictures on Ipanema‘s beach with our costumes, you will see the result hereby.

You have to know before I end up the post that you have to go the “Carnaval da Rua” which is present on the streets. It is very popular for its blocos where you drink and dance! 

This is the only week during the year where the poor from favelas are equal to others.

A must do and see, as early as possible! 

BEIJOS ! VIVA CARNAVAL !

A.

Jao Tinga

Sunset in Rio

 

Trem do Corcovado

Angel

Fier d'être Français !

O Cristo

Redentor

View from Corcovado

Tudo bem !

Costume de Pimp

Mangueira

Char

Song

Bloco

Pimp my ride

Mangueira

Shake it !

Team Carioca

Vila Isabel

Vila Isabel

Dance

Morning

The Beatles in Rio

Ipanema

Muito Obrigado !

2. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Yo !

We are getting closer and some people might have already guessed what is going to be my number 1

But let’s focus on my number 2 which is the Salar of Uyuni in Bolivia. How can nature be so beautiful?

At the end of my trip in Bolivia, I had already done La Paz, Death Road, Sucre and the mines of Potosi. The salar of Uyuni was only the apotheosis. I arrived late afternoon after a 7 hour local bus trip, with a grandmother eating coca and 2 kids between my legs. (No don’t think naughty…)

We arrived in the windy city of Uyuni and booked our tour for the next morning. All the people there were getting ready for the 3 days/2 nights trip in the Salar... So exciting! Ready after a short night in the cold, we were on the way to go but a storm came … We might not leave today? What?? After an hour, we finally went to the cemetery of trains and had a great time taking pictures. Looks like far west.

After a couple of hours, you felt the infinite. Only pure salt and blue sky for miles and miles away. We spent the first night in a salt hotel, where basically salt is everywhere! Bed, table, floor…

Next day, we continued our trip towards the Incahuasi Island which is in the center of the Salar. 

By the way, you have to know that the Salar is 3,656 meters above sea level! People brought their toys to take the famous perspectives pictures. Great moment!

We spent the next night in a refuge which was around 5,000 meters and had my worst night for 7 months. I couldn’t feel my feet next morning! We followed the road which was going to San Pedro de Atacama between mountains, lagunas, flamingos and lamas! Amazing!

Wonderful trip in the Salar, try it! At least before you die!

Good night !

A..

Cemetery of trains

The pick up

Chill out

Salt in the sky

Where are you going ?

Walk on the hat

Do the MJ !

In the wave

Laguna

Behind the mountain : Chile

Jeysers

Lamas

Flamingos 

3. Machu Picchu, Peru.

Hey!

For my Top 3... I had my mind my best trips in South America but not the order!

I always dreamed to go to the Machu Picchu and did not expected that it would be in my twenties. After my landing in Lima, I moved on to Cuzco, the "center of the world" for the Incas.

I spent a couple of days there and decided to see the archeological sites of Pisaq and Ollataytambo to start with before getting to the famous and magical Machu Picchu.

I arrived by train late night and did not book my hostel. Met Mexicans, Spanish and Canadians (from Quebec please) and followed a group of people. Had no idea where I was going but at least I was not alone!

The hostel was creepy but I had a bed. Happiness. If you want to visit peacefully the site, go early! So I woke up at 4.30 and went downtown to catch the bus which goes up to the site. Around 100 people were already at the entrance at 6 am.

When I finally entered, the ruins were between fog and clouds. Beautiful. It gave me the impression that I was discovering for the first time Machu Picchu. It was magical and mystical in the same time.

I went directly through the ruins to the”Sun Gate” which leads to the mountain Wachu Picchu. I climbed for almost 45 minutes and when I arrived on the top, I was the 2^nd after an Argentinean "compañero".

Alone, without a bunch of tourists talking and yelling how great is it. Pure silence. The view was spectacular with the sun's shades enlightening the ruins.

I spent all day walking between the ruins and lamas while taking pictures. The best moments are in my mind but here you go. Travel and imagine!

A.

 Lama

Birdy

Argentinean Mate

Machu Picchu

Inca Praying

Ruins

Enjoy the view !

4. Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Argentina.

On the opposite side of Iguazu, at the end of Patagonia, the atmosphere is completely different. When you face the Glaciar of Perito Moreno, you only have the sound of silence.

I arrived on an early morning, after a 2hour trip from El Calafate and entered the National Park. I could see the Glaciar from the road following the lake. Excitement was overwhelming.

When you are finally parked, you start to walk fast and almost run like a kid. And then you face it.  Outrageously big and strong. Without fear. Growing, eating the lake year by year.

Perito Moreno

You are now standing in front of the Glaciar. Breathtaking. Some people around me where saying:

“When you are here, you have no choice but only to believe that God created this beauty”. Don’t you think?

Glaciar and Mountains

On the side of the Glaciar

Peaks of the Perito Moreno

The next day, I went on the glaciar (yes we can) for a trekking. It was memorable.

Ice baby Ice.

A.

5. Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Welcome in a spectacular spot, where silence never exists:  Iguazu Falls.

You can hear the falls from almost a mile away, and you will become more and more excited by the noise when you get closer.

I spent a few days in Iguazu in a wonderful hotel called Posada Puerto Bemberg and went on both sides of the falls: Argentina and Brazil.

The views are amazing on both sides even if I had a preference for Argentina where there is much more to see… it’s not because I spent almost 4 or 5 months in Argentina J

A picture of the Devil’s Throat..

 Falls seen from Brazil

 I conquered the falls !

 Feel the power !

Rainbow in the falls

Boa noiteeeeeeeeeeeee !

A.