Brazil

Chapadas dos Veadeiros – A Weekend Getaway

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When we first arrived in Brasilia almost four years ago, we felt that we had all the time in the world to explore this great country.  In fact we thought we had too much time! Frankly, neither C nor I were all that thrilled to be posted to Brasilia – but that is another story for another day!

However, time is surely and steadily ticking by, and I am becoming acutely aware that our time here in Brazil is running out. All these trips and excursions that we have put off for one reason or the other are starting to pile up and the likelihood is, is that we won’t be able to do all of them.

So, one day just by chance I looked at my calendar and saw there was a long weekend coming up where C would actually be in town – I jumped at the chance to spend it at Chapadas dos Veadeiros National Park. I immediately got in touch with a few friends to see if they wanted to join – and as luck would have it, two couples had already planned to go and the third couple were keen to join as well. So within 20 minutes of sending out the initial email we had all booked and paid for our accommodation and we were set! I love it when the stars align like this!

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Bonito and the South Pantanal

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Although I may not have been blogging frequently (if at all!) over the last year,  that does not mean to say that I have not been travelling. In fact, C and I have managed to do a number of incredible trips squeezed in-between being pregnant, having the baby and C’s very hectic travel schedule.

The most memorable of these trips was our family Christmas vacation to Bonito and South Pantanal –  a trip so incredible, that I thought it was best to share this story first!

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Babies in Brasilia!

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 5 Comments

Hello friends – it has been a long time!

One of my last posts that I wrote last year, was What to Expect when Expecting in Brasilia. Well, a year has gone by and I am very happy to announce that I am now a happy mum to a gorgeous little boy called Charles.

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As you can imagine, The Travelling Chopsticks has not been high on my list of priorities of things to do over the last year. However, I feel that inspiration is slowly creeping back into me, and I thought I would try and breathe some life back into this much neglected but loved blog.

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What to Expect When Expecting (in Brazil!)

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 8 Comments

It has been far too long since I last posted something on The Travelling Chopsticks – and for this I apologise (bad blogger!). I could write a whole slew of reasons why I have not posted anything over the last few months – but that is not only boring for me to write, but more importantly, incredibly dull for you to read.

So instead – I am just going to jump head first into some exciting news that I wish to share with you all :)

C and I are expecting our first baby in April! Naturally we are both very excited about this development, but also – as I am sure every first time parents can relate to – we are slightly apprehensive as well (at least I am)!

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Food, Street Art and Horses – A Weekend Getaway in Sao Paulo!

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 3 Comments

There was a time when C and I were living in Mexico City that we felt the need to flee. Run away from the noise, hide from the crowds and shun the traffic – just for a few days, just to get our breath back.

Every couple of months, we would pack our bags, throw them into the boot of the car and head out of town for the weekend. We would explore quaint colonial towns such as Guanajato, San Miguell de Allende or Malinalco where we could walk undisturbed on the cobblestoned streets, and enjoy good tequila while watching the world go by. Or we would go riding for the weekend at a wonderful ranch we discovered outside of the city.. These little getaways were essential, and allowed us enough breathing room to really enjoy living in such a colossal city.

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Cruising in the “Caribbean” of the Amazon

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 9 Comments

P1020024  A few weeks ago, my Peruvian and I along with another couple went on a fantastic trip to the Amazon. Well, to be more precise, a cruise on the Tapajos River up in the North of Brazil. And what an experience it was.

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Cochinita Pibil – Bringing a little bit of Mexico to Brazil

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 5 Comments

Mexico City will always have a very special place in my heart. In fact a year and a half after leaving Mexico, both C and I still miss the country, the life we had, and our friends dearly. The older more travel weary Foreign Service Officers say that your first post is always your favourite, and I think there is an element of truth to that.

Our life in Mexico had so many firsts and life milestones. Not only was it the first time C and I lived in the same country, it was also the first time we lived together!  So many experiences go hand in hand with that such as discovering ourselves and each other, as well as discovering the country we were living in. It was also during this time, that we got engaged, adopted our beloved Mexican street cats and got married. Ultimately Mexico was where our family started.

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C and I at our engagement party!

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Bar Do Mercado

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Brasilia is not known for being a ‘happening’ or ‘hip’ city, on the contrary, Brasilia is quite frankly known for being dull. This man-made city lacks the natural vibe and buzz that most other cities in Brazil, Latin America, the world have.

This is a sentiment that I won’t contradict, however every so often, you will come across a gem of a place that will make you forget that you are in fact in Brasilia.

One of these little gems is Bar Do Mercado!

Located on the rather rough and industrial looking W3 road in Asa Sul (the South of the city), Bar do Mercado with its beautiful arched entrance way and its warm glow, is a welcome sight.

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Breathtaking Buzios

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Move over Playa del Carmen, step aside Phuket  – even you Bali, you can take a seat, as a new beach town has swept in and claimed first place for “Alex’s favourite beach spot”, and that is Buzios.

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Chapada Imperial – and General Catch Up!

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 2 Comments

My, my, my it has been quiet around here lately – I do apologise.

I have come to the realisation that I am a terrible blogger, as I am just unable to multi-task! As soon as I have a lot on my plate, The Travelling Chopsticks get pushed to the curb side. All inspiration dries up, and I just focus on the tasks at hand.

What is that you may ask? Well – it is all quite exciting really.

  1. Teaching:  I have started to teach English privately, and currently have three students. As these are my first ‘real’ (AKA paying) students, a LOT of time has gone into researching lesson plans and finding suitable material.
  2. World Cup: Even though I am not a big football fan, the World Cup has taken up a lot of time. In fact we have had seven (I repeat SEVEN) of C’s friends come to stay with us over the last 10 days, and as you can imagine, it has been hectic!
  3.  Buying Property: C and I have decided that we are finally grown up enough that we should buy something of our own. Our natural choice is the U.S. as one day if we are ever sent back to the Mother Ship, we will be in the D.C area. The logistics and research of buying property in a country you do not live in (and in my case never lived in) is quite a challenge!
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