For those who have been following the blog and our travels for several years now, you might remember that I've been to Belem before. It is a city that is located at the mouth of the Amazon, and has a rich colonial history, dating from when there was a rubber boom in the Amazon. This colonial history has definitely left it's architectural mark as evidenced by buildings such as this:
real purty house
real purty house closeup
Situated at the mouth of the Amazon, Belem get's its fair share of rain.
not on my parade
This is currently the rainy season; but i had an interesting conversation with a taxi driver about what the rainy season actually means, as I was here in June, i.e. the dry season, and it rained here everyday as well. Well, he said, in the dry season it does rain everyday, but it's in the afternoon. In the rainy season it rains everyday in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Thanks for the clarification.
It's not too hot though, and is actually quite pleasant, especially after the rain when the entire city seems to glow (i guess mix equatorial sun with rain drops and that's what you get).
Belem after the rain
One of the nicest parts about Belem is the renovated/gentrified/revitalized area near the river called 'the docks' (as docas). It is a series of large hanger/warehouses that have been converted to fancy restaurants, theaters, and ice cream shops!!! all of this with a nice promenade along the river. A staple of my, and any sensible tourist's, Belem experience.
Guess why this sign isn't in Portuguese (something tells me the locals know where they are)
K., is a friend who is also a Fulbrighter here in Brazil, and we are both working on similar topics in the southeastern Amazon. Here she and I are at the river preparing for an ice cream splurge!
K. and I have made a pact to each other to scientifically test all 100+ flavors of ice cream at the dock's fancy ice cream shop during our time in Belem. From Brazil nut flavored to the innumerable Amazonian fruits, such as Bacaba, it's going to be a challenge, but K. and I are determined, and I believe when Jo gets here we'll have a research assistant in our noble quest.
Fine dining anyone?
dock long view
Another great thing about Belem is the local market at the river side (a subsequent post will be devoted to the early morning market, which is much different)
meats, glorious meats
Unknown fruit #1
Unknown fruit #2
Unknown fruit #3
Brazil nuts anyone?
Karimeh and cupuacu (one of my favorite fruits)
And that's just a taste of Belem!
real purty house
real purty house closeup
Situated at the mouth of the Amazon, Belem get's its fair share of rain.
not on my parade
This is currently the rainy season; but i had an interesting conversation with a taxi driver about what the rainy season actually means, as I was here in June, i.e. the dry season, and it rained here everyday as well. Well, he said, in the dry season it does rain everyday, but it's in the afternoon. In the rainy season it rains everyday in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Thanks for the clarification.
It's not too hot though, and is actually quite pleasant, especially after the rain when the entire city seems to glow (i guess mix equatorial sun with rain drops and that's what you get).
Belem after the rain
One of the nicest parts about Belem is the renovated/gentrified/revitalized area near the river called 'the docks' (as docas). It is a series of large hanger/warehouses that have been converted to fancy restaurants, theaters, and ice cream shops!!! all of this with a nice promenade along the river. A staple of my, and any sensible tourist's, Belem experience.
Guess why this sign isn't in Portuguese (something tells me the locals know where they are)
K., is a friend who is also a Fulbrighter here in Brazil, and we are both working on similar topics in the southeastern Amazon. Here she and I are at the river preparing for an ice cream splurge!
K. and I have made a pact to each other to scientifically test all 100+ flavors of ice cream at the dock's fancy ice cream shop during our time in Belem. From Brazil nut flavored to the innumerable Amazonian fruits, such as Bacaba, it's going to be a challenge, but K. and I are determined, and I believe when Jo gets here we'll have a research assistant in our noble quest.
Fine dining anyone?
dock long view
Another great thing about Belem is the local market at the river side (a subsequent post will be devoted to the early morning market, which is much different)
meats, glorious meats
Unknown fruit #1
Unknown fruit #2
Unknown fruit #3
Brazil nuts anyone?
Karimeh and cupuacu (one of my favorite fruits)
And that's just a taste of Belem!
1 comment:
purrrrty indeed. Have fun!
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