New Zealand - Thermal Wonderland Wai-O-Tapu
Foto: Christ the Redeemer in Rio (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Brazil - Traffic is backed up in several places, but eventually, it starts to crawl forward. After leaving the main road, the driver heads into the mountains. With each bend, we climb higher. Eventually, I'm dropped off at the parking lot by the information center. However, I’m not yet at the statue—I must transfer to another minibus. This bus takes me to the top of Morro do Corcovado, the 710-meter-high mountain. The road is steep and full of hairpin turns. When I step out, I find myself at the foot of the 38-meter-high Christ the Redeemer statue. The statue was built in the early 20th century. In 1923, the funding was secured, and construction took ten years. It is one of the most iconic structures in the city and has even been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It’s funny to see how everyone contorts themselves around the statue to get the perfect photo. To take a good shot with the statue, you need to lie on the ground. It’s already dark by the time I return to the hotel.
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Authentic Paraty
Brazil - Back in the city, Philippe takes us directly to the old town. The tide reaches its maximum height around three o’clock, and it’s already half past three. We walk briskly to the historic center. Although the water is already receding, I still see several ...
Iguazú Falls
Brazil - I get off the bus at the luxurious Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, right in the middle of the National Park. Why aren’t we staying here? I can already hear the river and waterfalls behind the trees. As I walk along the path toward the water, I see the ...
Paradiselike Ilha Grande
Brazil - On the east side of Abraão Beach, a hiking trail begins to one of the most beautiful beaches on Ilha Grande. Praia Lopes Mendes lies on the other side of the island, on the ocean side. Because of the surf, the beach is difficult to reach by water taxi. ...
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil - In the afternoon, we go with the group to Pão de Açúcar, the Sugarloaf Mountain. From this characteristic rocky peak at the entrance of the bay, you have a beautiful view over Rio de Janeiro. We take five taxis to the cable car entrance. A cabin takes ...
The Pantanal wetlands
Brazil - As soon as the truck drives onto the dirt road, I see beautiful birds on both sides. With a tap on the cabin roof, the driver stops. It’s not easy to take good photos. The sound of the vehicle scares the animals. In the puddles where there is still ...