Parantins is a small town on the Amazon famous for the spectacle of its folklore festival which is a massive display of costumes, dance and huge floats that takes place in an arena called Bumbódromo.
We largely avoided that.
Belem – Brazil – Icoaracy
We arrived at sunrise at the port of Icoaracy – about twenty miles from Belem. Vultures and egrets were scavenging on the beach. We were greeted with carnival dancing, costume and music – but all around were heavily armed guards.
I saw some security guys with the biggest rifle I’ve ever seen. The town exuded colour and danger.
Manaus Brazil – vultures in the street.
Rio De Janeiro – Up Sugar Mountain in a cable car with the vultures and frigate birds.
The day after the storm the skies were clear. We headed for Sugar Mountain. Up the cable car to the top with views over the ocean, the city, the beached and across to Christ The Redeemer.
We went up through the rainforest on the slopes with its exotic fruit. There were monkeys in the trees. There were vultures flying around and frigate birds.
Vultures perched in the trees. The views were amazing.
