Brazil Trip - The Birds Park 7

After seeing the Iguasu falls we visited the Bird Park near the Iguasu National Park.Parque das Aves (Bird Park) is a center for nature conservation and a sanctuary for the recuperation of rescued wildlife. Here are just some of the birds of the Atlantic Rain forest in their natural habitat, alongside exotic species from around the world, many of them were endangered. This Bird park is a worthwhile place to visit.

    Curassow

The feather-like flowers on this tree, look like the
crown feather of the bird above. 

Cassowary

Flamingos

Toucan

 black-fronted Piping-Guan

Macaws

Macaws Aviary

Brazil Trip - Foz do Iguasu 6

Because Foz do Iguasu is at southern border with Paraguay, it would take more than 15 hours to drive from Curitiba. The Brazil Hakka Association made a decision to charter two flights for us so we drove back from Curitiba to Sao Paulo and took a flight to Foz. It took about 2 hours to get there. That afternoon we got the chance to see the Itaipu Dam and power company which was located at bi-national location of Brazil and Paraguay, and the generated power also shared by both countries.
In the evening we enjoyed the dinner/ Latin American show. Next morning, we visited the famous Iquasu Falls, which is one of the three largest falls in the world (other are Niagera Fall and Victoria Fall in Africa). The falls stretch in width for 1.7 miles, their height varies between 200 feet to 269 feet. This makes the Iguasu Falls taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide. The Iguasu river and falls separated Brazil from Argentina. The falls are magnificent and beautiful, it is the best scenery to enjoy in trip to Brazil.

Brazil Trip - Curitiba 5

Curitiba is a modern city also known as most desirable place to live. This city has a very green and unusually environmental program. People can bring recycle and disposable stuff to exchange for banana, sweet potato or tomato provided by city government every 2 weeks in designed location. Brazilian are generally lay-back people, because the soil is very rich, it can grow every thing you planted, and never go hungry. "Don't worry be happy", every thing can wait until  manana ( tomorrow )....in that way, they said Jesus, the god, is Brazilian.

Glass tube structure of City bus stop

Durigan, Brazil famous wine and liquor maker.
good place for wine, campaign tasting .

Brazil Trip - Rio de Janeiro 4

Leaving the city of Aparecido towards Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeriro is a wonderful city with beautiful beach, which attract many tourist year round. It is the place for famous annual Brazil Carnival and it will be the place to hold for 2016 Summer Olympic.
We took the cable car to the Sugarloaf mountain, because the island mountain shape like sugarloaf.  On the top of this mountain we can view the Rio city and the beautiful surrounding islands and beaches. Also to view the distant Christ mountain.
Next, we took the trem (mountain train) climbing up to Mtn Corcovado, also known as Christ Mountain because the gigantic Jesus Christ statue stood there. The statue is 30 metres (98 ft) tall, not including its 8-metre (26 ft) pedestal, and its arms stretch 28 metres (92 ft) wide and is located at the peak of the 700-metre (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain overlooking the city of Rio.This place has been named one of the 7 wonder in modern world.

Christ mountain viewed from Sugarloaf  mountain

View of Sugarloaf Mountain from Christ Mountain

Brazil Trip - Aparecida Church 3

We stayed at Hotel Aprecida on the the way to Rio and back. This is the place with a famous Aparecida Cathedral honoring Maria Santissima. I was told this is 2nd largest cathedral next to Vantican. Wave of waves of pilgrims from South American come to pay the homage in summer season. According to the legend, a Portugal Count of Assumer was passing by the area in 1740s, the villagers were responsible to give a feast, they were very poor only was able to provide fish dishes. The villagers tried to catch the fishes in river were not avail, in stead, they retrieved the statue of Maria( dark complexion). The villagers worshiped the Maria in small chapel, the village became harvesting plenty of fishes and food, and prosperous. And the villagers were eluded the punishment from the Count. So a church was built in 1745 to honor Maria, eventually, expanded to a big cathedral of the national shrine, known as Basilica Mother Church in 1955.

Brazil Trip - Santos and Campos de Jordao 2

Brazil is a big nation almost as big as USA. We spent a lots of time in the bus ride. In Campos de Jordao, also known as little Swiss (1800 feet above sea level), a beautiful small Swiss like village, luscious green and cool temperature. The rich Brazilian spent their Summer time here. We had two days to expose around. The first 2 photos are scene of Santos Beach, it has the longest beach-side park. The rest photos were taken in the little Swiss.

 

 

Brazil Trip - Carnival in St.Paulo 1

I have never been to Brazil. This time the Brazil's Hakka Taiwanese held an event to celebrate their 10 years Anniversary for the establishment of the Brazil Hakka Center and convention, the Taiwanese Hakka from all over the world were invited.
My husband and I took the opportunity to attend the convention and sightseeing. First few days it was misty raining which we didn't mind, because Sao Paulo has been drought for quiet some time that they said we brought luck (the rain) to them.
The first night of our trip, we saw the Sao Paulo carnival parade, even though it was dreary rain but we all had a good time. The winner will then compete with other team in Rio De Janerio the biggest national event.