Return to Rio

We're back in Rio, flying out tonight for ATL and PHL. As we came back, we saw some Carnaval "mummer's" in Receife. For our last day, we walked the Copacabana beach - here are pictures of the beach and hotel.

More faces

For our faces today, we show Fernando, Rudolfo and Kaia, and Stephanie. Fernando, who is from Naronha, pulled Donna completely across Baia do Sueste to see turtles, a shark, a school of sardines and some very big fish interested in a few sardines.

Rudolfo and Kaia were our captain and first mate as we went snorkeling around Naronha,and eating freshly prepared fish (sushi and stew).

Stephanie is typical of Brazilians on the move. She wanted to learn English better, had difficulty getting a visa from the U.S.; Britain was too expensive; so she went to Queenstown, N.Z. for a degree in wine. Who knew you can study wine in college?

Maravilha

A place is just a place, but Maravilha on Naronha is very special. We chose a couple of pics from the surroundings to give a sense of the feel for our posada. One is the view to the bay out of the dining room, one a path to our room, and finally, a view of a wild lily bloom that lined the walks, and appeared each day in the flower arrangement at out table for breakfast and diner.

Good-bye Brazil

We wish all the best to Brazil, and all the warm, friendly people we met on this trip. We are particularly grateful to our guides, Teo, Ricardo, Marcelo, Carlos, and Celina. A very special thanks to our guide in Fernando de Naronha, Adrianna, who made the island stay really come alive, with beaches, boats, food, and most of all, snorkeling. Also, hats off to Fernando, Rudolfo, and Kaia, who led us in the water to sights we never imagined.

For our closing pics, we have chosen our mode of transportation on Naronha, the Yellowjacket," a view of Praia do Leao, one of the three (all tied for top three) "best beaches in Brazil," and all on Noronha. And Leao deserves every accolade! When we took the picture, we were the only ones on the beach, and it reminded us of The Lonely Planet. Later, a total of 16 people sat and swam on a mile-long piece of heaven on earth.

Finally, we had to close with a sunset over Naronha.