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May 16, 2013 | in Travel

Street Art Around the World

avenue duluth est montreal canada

New York City’s electrifying street art may just make up for its incessant noise, pollution, and subway-shoving.  (Not street performance art, mind you… the interpretive dancer who takes up residence on a nearby street corner tends to be a tad progressive for my taste.  I’m judgey about my art.) But really good, actual street art […]

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January 31, 2013 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, The Pantanal Part 2: A Caiman Tail… Tale

Caiman Pantanal Brazil

The Pantanal is home to what is thought to be the largest concentration of crocodilians in the world. Day#11,062: Paul determined that our morning held in store a boat ride down the Rio Negro.  Drifting lazily in the summer heat taking in the beauty of the Pantanal sounded pretty darn good. Mr. M, our guide […]

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January 28, 2013 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, The Pantanal Part 1: Appreciating the Unappreciated

tapir pantanal brazil

Some places on this majestically overwhelming planet are grossly under-appreciated.  It’s hard not to include the Usual Suspects in a Bucket List: The Amazon… seeing the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle… going on an African safari… Of course they’re incredible. But what about the lesser-known, equally impressive natural wonders that are ordained to exist in the […]

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November 16, 2012 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, Iguazu Part Two: Nature at its Finest

Iguazu Falls Argentina

Day #11,059: After the stunning views of Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side, Mr. M & I were pretty pumped to tour the Iguazu National Park in Argentina.  Plus, I was secretly coveting another stamp in my passport. In addition to passport stamps, I’m also a sucker for accommodations that include breakfast.  The Bourbon Cataratas Hotel […]

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November 11, 2012 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, Iguazu Part One: Cold, Wet, and Awestruck

Garganta del Diablo

Day #11,058: Straight off a wonderful last day in Rio de Janeiro, Mr. M & I landed in Iguazu, the eponymously named gateway to the  waterfalls (or ‘cataratas,’ one of my favorite Spanish words because it’s just so fun to say). The 14 mile-long network of ‘cataratas’ making up Iguazu Falls straddle the border of […]

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October 3, 2012 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, Rio de Janeiro Part 2: Divine Intervention

Christ the Redeemer

Day #11,057:  After a most amazing half-day in possibly the most beautiful city in the world, I woke up sick as a dog.  Or at least as sick as Mr. M had been two days prior. About the best you can hope for when sick in a foreign country is a robust healthcare system and […]

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October 1, 2012 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, Rio de Janeiro Part 1: Sunsets & Samba

View from Pao de Azucar

Day #11,056: No two ways about it, Mr. M & I were Bummed to be leaving our Ilha Grande island oasis.  But seeing as how I’d already only allotted a day and a half to see all of Rio de Janeiro so that we could visit Ilha Grande in the first place… and how you […]

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September 18, 2012 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, Ilha Grande Part 2: Paradise Found

I'm afraid of the ocean and its denizens and thus, decided it was caipirinha time a little early.

Day #11,055: When the morning starts out like this, you know it shall be a Most Glorious Day. Mr. M (sick with a sore throat and head cold, poor thing) & I awoke to the sound of waves rippling on the rocks below our balcony and parrots chattering in the palm trees above. Sarie, mother […]

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September 16, 2012 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, Ilha Grande Part 1: The Cash Runs Out

Vila Pedra Mar view

There comes a point in nearly all of our trips where Mr. M & I run into a bit of trouble.  Something that makes us pause and think hmmm… how do we get out of this one? Day #11,054:  Today was that day. After adventure-squared in the Amazon, Mr. M & I had plans to […]

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September 7, 2012 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, Amazon Part 4: Sunrise to Sunset

Sunrise, Take 2

Day #11,053: Our alarm went off at the ungodly hour of 5am.  The jungle was still dark, and the first birds were just beginning to shriek when BAM!  Something big hit our roof.  Mr. M & I looked at each other, eyes wide and still foggy with sleep.  Whatever it was scrambled around up there, […]

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