Returning To Brazil
It’s been a strange start to 2024. We can’t quite recall now why we decided to delay the start of our travels until February and give ourselves the whole of dull January at home in England. Had we had an inkling of what February would bring, we may have made different plans – but of course an event such as a family bereavement is not a predictable one.
Our long journey through Brazil and into the USA was meant to last from the first week of February till the last week of May, but of course was cut short by the unfortunate news and we headed back home on Day 12.
So then the various dilemmas. How long will we be at home? With a committed date for arriving in New Orleans, will we no longer have enough time to do justice to our Brazil tour? Shall we leave Brazil until another time and head to somewhere completely different? Will our whole map of 2024 change?
We look at Goa, we consider Thailand, even a return to Mexico. Or shall we simply arrive early in the States? But then after a bit of a delay, the funeral date is sorted and we can now weigh things up fully – and in the end we come full circle and decide to resume the tour of Brazil. Whilst we will now miss a chunk of the planned route, we can complete the journey without dropping any of the major highlights.
This is the bit we will lose: from Rio we were heading up into the mountains, to Petropolis and Teresopolis and then across to Nova Friburgo, which enjoys a rather obtuse reputation as Brazil’s lingerie capital. From Nova Friburgo we would have headed back to the coast, spending some time in and around Buzios and then working our way westwards along what is known as the lagoon coast.
None of that will now happen, that whole section is lost. But, joy of joys, we will be picking up from the next point after that, with plenty of the vast country of Brazil still to explore.
Now those decisions are made, we are full of excitement to resume our exploration of this amazing country. Next stop Paraty…
41 Comments
Annie Berger
Glad you decided to resume your Brazilian trip. Never knew any country had a lingerie capital – thanks for that piece of amusing trivia! Hoping for safe travels ahead.
Phil & Michaela
Can’t wait to get back there, Annie. Hope you saw my response to your Puerto Rico post. Best wishes, P&M x
Miriam
Lingerie capital! That sounds interesting. But glad you’ve decided to continue exploring Brazil. Even though you’ll miss part of your itinerary I’m sure you’ll make the most of the rest of it. Enjoy every minute! 😊
Phil & Michaela
Really looking forward to resuming our travels now. Reached the counting-the-hours stage!
Miriam
Haha, wonderful! Bring it on hey. 😁
restlessjo
All I can think is ‘oh, my God- fancy living in those favelas! How lucky you are.
Phil & Michaela
They are interesting places, that’s for sure. Now for some different areas…
Monkey's Tale
Hope you love Paraty as much as we did, but no Buzios! Too bad… next trip.
Phil & Michaela
We’re a bit gutted to miss Buzios, Maggie. One guy in Rio described Buzios as “paradise” so at that point we were very excited about going there. But hey at least we’re still going to explore more of Brazil.
Monkey's Tale
Excited to read about it!
Helen Devries
So glad you decided to resume….even if missing the lingerie capital!
Phil & Michaela
We were going there for the mountain hikes – honestly!
Helen Devries
The mind boggles at the idea of the hiking gear available there!
Phil & Michaela
I now have some mental images which are difficult to shake…
leightontravels
Glad to hear that you will get to resume your Brazilian travels. I hope the upcoming period of travel proves to be a healing time for you both.
Phil & Michaela
Cheers bud, can’t wait to get back there now…
Lookoom
Interesting news. Ah Paraty, I was supposed to go for a daytrip, but I had to cancel due to bad weather. However, I bought a painting of Paraty at the hippie market in Ipanema, without being able to say I went there. In the end, I also visited some of the old colonial towns around Brasilia.
Phil & Michaela
Looking forward to seeing different parts of the country now
Travels Through My Lens
Good thing you get to continue your travels in Brazil. I hope the sunshine will help as you and Michela work through the grief of loss.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you – I’m sure it will
Alison
That doesn’t sound too bad considering what happened. For some reason funerals in the UK take ages to organise. I remember having to wait in the UK last year for nearly two months. Also you don’t have the bother of rebooking various flights to the States. We may still get to meet up sometime in June then!
Phil & Michaela
Yes indeed – our plan still includes being in England for most if not all of that month
Toonsarah
I’m so glad you were able to rethink your Brazil itinerary without losing too much of great significance, and I’m especially glad you were still able to include Paraty as I loved it there and am looking forward to your take on it 🙂 I wonder if it’s got too busy since our 2000 visit???
Phil & Michaela
Yes, interesting, because that’s a long time since! We’ll find out soon, I’m pleased to say – funeral is Tuesday, we fly out Thursday.
Toonsarah
I hope Tuesday goes off OK, or as well as can be expected. Are you still planning on being back in the UK in June?
Phil & Michaela
Yes we are, most likely for the greater part of the month
Toonsarah
Great, hopefully we can finally have that beer!
Phil & Michaela
Yes!
Terrie
So pleased to see your post. Was just asking he who is the planner if he had any idea and here you are. We are wrapping spring up here leaving April 22 for Bordeaux Carcassonne Marseilles Corsica and Sardinia- will return to Canterbury May 10. Will greet you with big hugs and a feast when you are free! And so pleased you can pick up on New Orleans. If you can do go to Avery Island, by NOLA nature preserve AND where Tabasco is made. XXXOOO
Phil & Michaela
We’ve made a note! And will definitely catch up with you in June!
wetanddustyroads
I’m glad you guys are going back to Brazil – it would always feel like “unfinished business” if you didn’t go back now. I assume your backpacks are still packed, so I hope it’s a smooth trip back to Brazil.
Phil & Michaela
Three days to go…
grandmisadventures
I’m so glad you get to continue on at least most of your original route through Brazil 🙂
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Meg – flying back out this week!
grandmisadventures
safe travels! See you soon in Tennessee 🙂
Phil & Michaela
Yes!!
Marie
I’m glad you decided to go back – looking forward to hearing all about it. XXXXMarie
Phil & Michaela
Two days to go….l
WanderingCanadians
Glad to hear you’ve made it back to Brazil. It’s too bad that you’ll be missing part of what you initially planned, but hey, some additional time there is better than no time at all.
Phil & Michaela
Absolutely, will be off to the airport in a couple of hours 😀
WanderingCanadians
Safe travels!