Aah Brazil...

Our weekend journey... via Ana Balbinot of A Beleza de Todas as Coisas blog... is to the city of Pinhais, a small city in the state of Paraná located in the south of Brazil. Pinhais is close to the state capital Curitiba. Here is a Map of Paraná...
First Ana is taking us to visit her parent's home of 35 years... We can sit here and relax with some refreshments after our long flight and look at the gardens...Yum... those Caipirinhas (National Cocktail of Brazil) look delicious... 5.0 cl (1⅔ fl oz) cachaça , ½ Fresh Lime cut into 4 wedges, 2 teaspoons Muscovado sugar ...Look at the bright yellow flowers in the tree... Ooh I see a pool... anyone for a dip...
What a lovely lawn area... perfect for a party!

Wow... just enough time to do a painting...

And now off to sightseeing around Curitiba... where to first Ana... Jardim Botânico ... beautiful! Palácio Avenida

From left to right... One of the major streets of Curitiba - Largo da Ordem, Sunday Market -Wire Opera House -Federal University of Paraná - Tanguá Park - Couto Pereira "Estádio Major Antônio Couto Pereira " - Museu Oscar Niemeyer - Portugal Park... You can read more about these places HERE

All the sightseeing... I'm famished... let's eat... where to Ana?

Ana's answer.... "You asked me about what kind of food we eat around here. Let me tell you: the Paranas's typical food is "barreado". It is made with meat that is cooked for 24 hours in a large pan made of clay and sealed with a mass of flour and water for the steam does not quit. In ancient times, people used to bury the pot for 1 or 2 days, completely sealed, before they cooked it. But today it is prepared in the wood stove. We eat barreado accompanied by fresh bananas, cassava flour and white rice. It is delicious, and it's a specialty from Morretes, one of the oldest cities of the state"...

Ana says, “Here is a picture that I like so much, from the train that goes to Morretes. This railway was built in 1800s and its considered one of our most difficult and impressive engineer work. And here is one of Morretes Post Cards, we call "casario de Morrtes" which is an image of the old houses and the Nhundiaquara River”...Photos via Ana

Morretes photos via Curitiba City Photo Blogger and Virtual Tourist ... there are great photos on these sites... you must explore more of Morretes! It is a lovely city to paint too...

Ooh... I'm a little tired... long day... I think I will check into this hotel... look "accesso internet" ... very important... so I can keep in touch with all of YOU!

No... apparently we are not finished... Ana is like the energizer bunny... she keeps on going... with more wonderful places to show us... Ana says, “Although Morretes is a beautiful city, I like Antonina more than Morretes. It’s smaller than Morretes, but I think it is more authentic. I love the old houses, the Port, the atmosphere!” Gorgeous place... My head is swimming... filled with history, beauty, culture... I must lay my head on pillow... Ana, please tell us where we can stay...

Ana replies... "Here is an ecologic hotel near Curitiba and half the way to Morretes, named La Dolce Vita. It's a wonderful place, with romantic appeal, French gastronomy (Ana knows Fifi loves French things), and nice services. I think your virtual guests will be happy to stay there."

I hope you enjoyed your virtual trip to Brazil... thank you Ana for being such a lovely tour guide and hostess!