Hotel Azaleia Gramado

... for the European atmosphere, so that was OK. The towns receive a lot of Brazilian tourism during the winter, because they often get some snow, but it's spring here, so both towns were pretty devoid of tourists. The reason that I wanted to visit that specific region was mostly for the geology. The area is geologically diverse, with lots of varied terrain, and mountains(if you can call them that. Actually, they're called the Serra Guacha ...

It took us 9hrs to get from Florianopolis to Gramado, we got on the bus after spending 5hrs between Pizza Hut (which was really very fancy) and the only irish pub on the Island, Donovans.
The bus was non eventful only wakin up at some hr when the bus stopped and strugglin to untangle myself from my sleepin bag to get off the bus for a much needed nicotine hit cos the ...

This place is so nice. Its a small swiss/bavarian type city in the hills next to a big valley. The buildings are awesome and so much chocolate! When I arrived there was some sort of festival going on with a big food court, music and so on. Set up at my hostel and went and had a look. Tried some sort of giant chip that there was a 30 person line up for. It was like a deep fried potato. Average anyway. Walked through the maze of jam and chocolate stalls and seen a massive croud ...

... as we noticed each other and went on our way. This morning it was a horse. A horse came trotting down the street (as if free from his leash, overly excited to do some exploring, but not knowing quite what to do with himself. He stopped to eat some grass from the yard of a dog that was barking at him. You could see the horse wasn't hungry. His actions were for the sheer entertainment value of agitating the dog. Not too much time had passed and a small young boy ...

... program which happens inside of a train from one town to another includding lunch, cultural dances and wine tastering passing through many other little towns. It happens in Farroupilha. Sports activities Rafting; There is rafting at Nova Roma do Sul class IV and V , greatest Antas River and an easy one at Tres Coroas at Paranhana River class II and III. Rock Climbing; great solid stone at Canastra Peak ...

... wanted to go bowling, so where does the American end up ... where else, but to a joint called "American Bowling." LOL ... This place had American decor out the wazo. Pictures of famous actors and actresses on all the walls, race cars, guitars, Indians. The cool thing was that I actually knew all the drinks on the menu. They actually had a bloody mary on ...

Hi everyone! We have had very limited Internet access lately. Just wanted to let you know we are alive and are currently at the Lutheran Seminary in Sao Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We are staying at the Lutheran Deaconess Home right next to the seminary. We ...

... well.... he did not go with very much at all. The winner, in the end was some guy dressed in drag. Oh well! Last Thursday we all went up to Sr. George´s farm, who is the host father of Luke and Mateus. It has always been a really cool to go up to this entirely organic farm. The last time we were there before this, we had a huge churrasco (Brazilian BBQ), and we all got to milk cows. Not only do they have cows, but pigs, chickens but a ton of fruits and vegetables that I have ...

... this city is not a great representation of the entire country. Anyways while in Porto Alegre I got to see Harry Potter and Transformers, in English!!!! Both I must say were great movies. Portuguese is starting to become a lot easier. I can understand the general idea most of the time when people are speaking, which is a big relief. My work project is going great and the kids are really cool. Next weekend is our mid-project for our ...

... we get a dawn start to beat the heat. This afternoon we are holed up in the mountain (maybe 3000 feet, but, hey, Brazil is not known for mountains) town of Gramado. The place was settled by Swiss and southern Germans who have decided to create a faux Tyrolean town complete with 25 different places to get fondue. Tomorrow we head for the beach. Watch this space for pictures of Kia in her new Brazilian thong bikini.