Brazil: Ribeirao Preto, Piracicaba, and Iguzu Falls
Journey #15234 began with a 24 hour trip to Fort Lauderdale, Sau Paulo, and finally Iguazu. One of layovers was so long that we rented a Siesta Box in the airport.
This optional trip to Iguazu Falls was from October 4 through 7. There we attended a Brazilian BBQ and dinner show at the Rafain. WOW! Dances from all over Brazil and other South American countries, including the samba and tango. We visited Parque Das Aves (Bird Park). Saw very exotic birds like toucans, hummingbirds, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The Macuco Safari took us on a jeep and boat ride under the falls. We all got soaking wet from the rain and the falls. We hiked down to a pier that juts out into the waterfalls. Iguazu Falls are one of the largest and most visited falls in the world including Victoria and Niagara. All of the group went on a Catamaran boat tour of Iguazu River where we danced and ate. About six of the ambassadors chose to take a breath taking helicopter ride over the falls.
Next we flew to Ribeirao Preto for our first week's home stay. The first night began with a dance contest that Larry Jonas won. We went to the Seven Chapel Sanctuary built by Benedictine monks, toured Brazilian artist Portinari’s home with many of his painting on display, ate at a coffee plantation where the century old farmhouse had been turned into a bed and breakfast, heard the argument that philanthropist Dumont was the first in flight and not the Wright brothers, celebrated happy hour in a soccer stadium, visited an art museum, ate a variety of pizzas, sampled beer from a local brewery, shopped at the local market, and enjoyed a fabulous sendoff.
We traveled to next week of home stay by van. Piracicaba is on a river so many of our activities included water. While eating grilled fish sitting next to the river we saw lots of wild life. We walked across the bridge to plant a tree in the Friendship Force forest. Many of the ambassadors chose to take a mineral bath at the spa. The locals were bringing jugs to fill with water to take home. One of our trips included a visit to a Christian organization that helps the homeless become self-sufficient. One nature walk up a hill proved to be tough for some of us. We tasted some of the local wines and a couple of the wineries. Once again we had pizza -- with boiled eggs and corn on top. We ate at several buffets.
Many ‘fell in love’ with their host families and some shed tears as we left. Several young host families had adorable children. It's great to travel, but as usual, it's great to come home! Shelia Melancon did a great job as Journey Coordinator, taking care of 10 ambassadors.
This optional trip to Iguazu Falls was from October 4 through 7. There we attended a Brazilian BBQ and dinner show at the Rafain. WOW! Dances from all over Brazil and other South American countries, including the samba and tango. We visited Parque Das Aves (Bird Park). Saw very exotic birds like toucans, hummingbirds, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The Macuco Safari took us on a jeep and boat ride under the falls. We all got soaking wet from the rain and the falls. We hiked down to a pier that juts out into the waterfalls. Iguazu Falls are one of the largest and most visited falls in the world including Victoria and Niagara. All of the group went on a Catamaran boat tour of Iguazu River where we danced and ate. About six of the ambassadors chose to take a breath taking helicopter ride over the falls.
Next we flew to Ribeirao Preto for our first week's home stay. The first night began with a dance contest that Larry Jonas won. We went to the Seven Chapel Sanctuary built by Benedictine monks, toured Brazilian artist Portinari’s home with many of his painting on display, ate at a coffee plantation where the century old farmhouse had been turned into a bed and breakfast, heard the argument that philanthropist Dumont was the first in flight and not the Wright brothers, celebrated happy hour in a soccer stadium, visited an art museum, ate a variety of pizzas, sampled beer from a local brewery, shopped at the local market, and enjoyed a fabulous sendoff.
We traveled to next week of home stay by van. Piracicaba is on a river so many of our activities included water. While eating grilled fish sitting next to the river we saw lots of wild life. We walked across the bridge to plant a tree in the Friendship Force forest. Many of the ambassadors chose to take a mineral bath at the spa. The locals were bringing jugs to fill with water to take home. One of our trips included a visit to a Christian organization that helps the homeless become self-sufficient. One nature walk up a hill proved to be tough for some of us. We tasted some of the local wines and a couple of the wineries. Once again we had pizza -- with boiled eggs and corn on top. We ate at several buffets.
Many ‘fell in love’ with their host families and some shed tears as we left. Several young host families had adorable children. It's great to travel, but as usual, it's great to come home! Shelia Melancon did a great job as Journey Coordinator, taking care of 10 ambassadors.
