On our 83rd day of being in Brazil we arrivewd in the national park famous for its wildlife in the South West of Brazil known as the Pantanal. We slept in hammocks in a wooden lodge beside a crocodile infested river, where tge most regular visitor was a toucan who kept us company over breakfast.
During our three days we went on walks through the surrounding area spotting all manner of creatures, from armadillos to macaws, and found a fruit which was used to paint ourselves in tribal designs. Piranha fishing was a highlight due to much success for the team despite the efforts of the local crocodiles we still managed to fill our plates for supper. Horse riding filled one of our mornings as we gallopped through the forest that was buzzing with animal activity.
A cracking few days in a ideallic setting with great fresh food and a dazzling aray of wildlife that was like nowhere we had been before.
By Edmund and James
26-Apr-09 23:14
Pantanal - Rio team takes on the Jungle
26-Apr-09 23:11
Rio team update
Lencois/ Diamantina
After a long, but eventful bus journey from the surfing town of Itacare we arrived in the scenic town of Lencois. Having checked into the hostel we met Puma, our guide, who briefed us on the plan for the forthcoming trek. Our 4x4 dropped us in what was the ´middle of nowhere´ and our trek had begun.
Our first challenge was a steep climb which woke us all up and gave us an impression of what to expect for the next four days. AFter a hard first mornings walk we paused for lunch a the top of a stunning waterfall overlooking one of the many luch green valleys of the Chapada Diamante. Under head-torch light we arrived at our first camping spot, tents were pitched, food was cooked and eaten and everyone crashed out for a well earned rest.
The second day involved a strenuous climb through caves and over rivers to one of the highest points in the area, known as the ´Castle´ where the views did not dissapoint. We wound our back to camp via a refreshing waterfall, and despite snakes in the bed and tarantulas in boots we all made it to day three of trek.
We kicked the day off with a massive ascent, but the view was well worth the hard work. A fabulous day walking through the stunning valleys and rivers of the national park with many a waterfall to be swam in. Night was spent camping in the bush under an extremely starry sky, with not a sign of man to be found.
The final day was a long trek back to Lencois to complete our 100 km trip, with a great sense of achievement all round on arriving at the hostel where everyone appreciated a bed, warm water and food that wasn´t cooked on a camp fire!
02-Mar-09 18:19
Rio Carnival Project - Nicky Waters' Update
Never have I seen so much Pink and Green before coming to Mangueira. The colours of the district cover every square inch of the Vila Olimpica Complex, where we have been working for the last week. The main focus of our time here so far has been with the boys at Casa Lar, which, as the week has progressed, has proved to be very rewarding.
To start with, we were all a bit apprehensive; the language barrier, mixed with our initial lack of knowledge of the boy´s problems, made communication with them a bit of a challenge. However, the constant proximity to the boys, our domestic duties of getting them up, taking them to and from school, helping with the washing ...has made sure we´ve got to get to know them very quickly. They´ve each got their own distinct, quirky and uncompromising character.
There is certainly a lot to keep you busy here. When you are not on domestic duties, you´ll be preparing activities and outings. So far we´ve had treasure hunts, trips to the beach and park, jewellery making and preparations for the carnival. The language barrier is soon to fade; I have never felt such a constant figure of attention. Be prepared for lots of hugging and hand shaking, plenty of obscure questions and a LOT of singing! You´ll find it impossible not to communicate with these boys!. This is also the case of the Tia Neuma´s 5 to 7 year old children. These are children who go to a mainstream primary school also at the Vila Olimpica Complex. This week we have been preparing and teaching lessons to them. We have found practical, hands on lessons of butterfly and flag painting and snowflake making the most hectic, yet enormous fun!
Next week we begin making costumes with them for their very own carnival party at school.
After a day´s work, the team is generally pretty wiped out. As rewarding as the work is, it can be exhausting. However, there is a great balance of work and time to chill out here. The complex has a swimming pool which we are free to use most nights, and we have also had the opportunity of being taught by the most impressive Capoeira teachers I have ever seen- expect some gravity defying moves!
After a day´s work, the team is generally pretty wiped out. As rewarding as the work is, it can be exhausting. However, there is a great balance of work and time to chill out here. The complex has a swimming pool which we are free to use most nights, and we have also had the opportunity of being taught by the most impressive Capoeira teachers I have ever seen- expect some gravity defying moves!
In addition to all of this, it´s a very exciting time to be in Rio and we´ve already had plenty of chances to get a taste for the much anticipated Carnival. Already we´ve attended to parade rehearsals, street blocos, and several other carnival preparations around Rio.
By the end of a Day at the Vila Olimpica, you have certainly earned your Caipirinha!!!!!!!
By Nicky Waters
08-Feb-09 22:35
Rio Language Phase part 2 by James CA
Weekend away in Ilhe Grande.
Having packed the night before we were all up early in order to set off for our weekend trip to the reportedly stunning island of Ilhe Grande. After a scenic boat journey we were not disappointed with what we found. With our tents pitched on the sands of Ilhe Grande we ventured into the small fishing town. The locals quickly thrashed us at football, following that we enjoyed the atmosphere of the town square with a drink in hand. It is was then time to hit tents for some well needed rest.
The crashing awoke us from our slumber, a quick breakfast of fresh local fruit ensued and we were ready for the trek ahead.
Following two and a half hours and nearly seven kilometers through the primary Atlantic rain forest we arrived a t the picturesque Lopes Mendes beach. The day was spent riding the waves and soaking up the Brazilian sun. To ensure the stunning weather continued members of the group performed a ceremonial sun dance and then we were off. A local boat took us back to base camp where we wined and dined the night away under the starry sky, and then to the tents for some well earned sleep.
Sunday was spent on a nearby beach and in a spectacular fresh water pool, with many a group photo to be had night had already drawn in... "Oh what a life".
The bags were packed and reluctantly we waved 'Tchau' to our treasured pocket of paradise. AS the ferry meandered back to the mainland we were all missing Ilhe Grande, but looking forward to the hustle and bustle of Rio.
Having packed the night before we were all up early in order to set off for our weekend trip to the reportedly stunning island of Ilhe Grande. After a scenic boat journey we were not disappointed with what we found. With our tents pitched on the sands of Ilhe Grande we ventured into the small fishing town. The locals quickly thrashed us at football, following that we enjoyed the atmosphere of the town square with a drink in hand. It is was then time to hit tents for some well needed rest.
The crashing awoke us from our slumber, a quick breakfast of fresh local fruit ensued and we were ready for the trek ahead.
Following two and a half hours and nearly seven kilometers through the primary Atlantic rain forest we arrived a t the picturesque Lopes Mendes beach. The day was spent riding the waves and soaking up the Brazilian sun. To ensure the stunning weather continued members of the group performed a ceremonial sun dance and then we were off. A local boat took us back to base camp where we wined and dined the night away under the starry sky, and then to the tents for some well earned sleep.
Sunday was spent on a nearby beach and in a spectacular fresh water pool, with many a group photo to be had night had already drawn in... "Oh what a life".
The bags were packed and reluctantly we waved 'Tchau' to our treasured pocket of paradise. AS the ferry meandered back to the mainland we were all missing Ilhe Grande, but looking forward to the hustle and bustle of Rio.
04-Feb-09 19:41
Rio Language Phase 2009 by Rachel Brown
For the first 3 weeks of our time in Brazil, we had Portuguese lessons to prepare us for the rest of our trip. I thought this was really useful, as the project phase is spent working with kids, and so being able to communicate is essential for getting the most out of it. Also, just generally being able to ask for simple things, like drinks, and order your own food makes the experience so much better, and means that we don´t have to rely on our leader the whole time. For me, the language phase was one of the reasons I chose the trip, as I am going on to study Spanish and Portuguese at university.
I found the lesons really helpful, and the fact that we were split into two small groups of 5 and 4 meant that we had more time to go through each point in detail, and also ensured that everyone in the group understood what we had learnt before moving on to the next unit. We had 4 hours of lessons every morning, with a half hour break in the middle. I found the lessons really varied, and each day we would learn something new, while also revising what we had already learnt so we didn´t forget antyhing. We used a text book for part of the day to get a grasp of more gramatical issues, but also listened to Brazilian music and translated some songs as well. One day, having learnt all the vocabulary for different fruits, we were taken to the fruit market near the school, and were actually able to try the different fruits, like Jaca, while also practising our Portuguese with the venders.
Our teacher also made us pick a topic that we had learnt, and teach it back to our class, which was a really helpful way of going over previous units. We also played lots of games to help us remember vocabulary, and the fact that each lesson was different kept us interested and meant that we were constantly learning new things. After about a week of lessons, we visited Casa La, to introduce ourselves to the boys that we would be looking after. It made me realise just how important the lessons were, and motivated me to work harder so that I would be able to communicate with them better. It was great to actually be able to use what we had learnt, to understand and be understood, and talk to the boys. It amazed me just how much we had learnt in so little time, and now that we have the basics, I think we will be able to pick up a lot more Portuguese during the project phase.
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