Florianopolis

After Blumenau Tuba (the IAESTE-student that is now working at the office of Junge&Belli) and I headed south to Florianópolis and the island of Santa Catarina. Famous for its 42 beaches spread around the island. First we explored the downtown together with our host Renan, before heading to some beaches in the north of the island.

Hercilio Luz bridge

Historic centre: Palácio Cruz e Souza

The posh neighbourhood of Jurerê

Forte de São José

The dunes of Joaquina

Ready for sandboarding

Renan taking a dive

Blumenau

After 2 years, I finally made it back to Blumenau! Very nice to see my former roommates, colleguaes and friends back. At the same time I could meet the new IAESTE-student in the office, Tuba. My days were filled with having lunch, eating cakes, evening meetings at the big house and the planning of the rest of my trip!

My favourite spot in Bumenau: the 'confeiteria'

Sushi party with Ricardo, Rael, Michelle, Daniel, Anderson and Tuba

Keila, Luciane and Anderson

Me, Tuba and Chris

Porto Alegre

After Montevideo it was time to head to Brazil. My first stop was Porto Alegre, where I spend the weekend with some design students from the university overthere. Saturday we explored downtown POA before finishing the day dancing the night away in a nice underground club (where they even played Soulwax!!!!). Sunday we went to the Redenção park for some people watching and to a nice indian restaurant (yes yes, Brazilians have an international focus too :))) )

My crazy hosts: Grazielle and Thayse

Mercado Público

And see which tiles I found on the floor of the public market :)))

This means that in Porto Alegre they are very up to date or that

my parents desperately have to renovate their home :)))

View on the docks

Montevideo (part 3)

Palacio Legislativo

Interior

Montevideo (part 2)

Drinking maté, like it is common in Uruguay

The "Rambla", the avenue along the coast where people are
running, walking, drinking maté or just letting the dogs out :))

Playa Pocitos

Montevideo (part 1)

Yesterday I made it to the bus terminal Tres Cruces in Montevideo. Because my host Fito (I'm a fan of couchsurfing :)) ) had to work untill 6PM, I used my time to order a busticket to Porto Alegre for Friday. Yes yes, in Spanish, so hopefully I will have asked for the right place on the right bus :))) In the evening it was time to discover to latin hospitality. After a delicious meal and a lot of conversations in Spanglish yesterday, I discovered the historic city centre today. As Montevideo is situated on the bay of the Rio de la Plata, I'm planning to explore the several beaches around Montevideo tomorrow!

Palacio Salvo, the first skyscraper in Uruguay

Casa de Gobierno Histórico, the new court still unfinished for lack of funds

Colonia del Sacramento

View on the port of Colonia del Sacramento

Cobblestoned streets and colonial buildings made

this village a 'Patrimonio Cultual de la Humanidad' for UNESCO

Kick off

First day of my trip is a fact. After taking my flight to Buenos Aires (with a transit in Madrid, where I could enjoy the beautiful environment of the new terminal 4 designed by Rogers), I went straight to Uruguay by ferry. Instead of going directly to Montevideo, I decided to visit the small colonial town of Colonia del Sacramento. This is the place where I'm stuck for the moment. I found a nice hostel for only 6 euro, which means no heating in the rooms. As it is very cold here for the moment (only 2 degrees), I'm really happy that I brought my sleeping bag. Tonight I'm going for a parrillada, the local grill dish. Tomorrow I'm going to Montevideo by bus...

Keep tuned :)

(pictures coming soon)