Parati, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Brasil may be on the world scene as the site of World Cup Finals, but the country is, of course, more than futbol.
My ten day trip started and ended in São Paulo, but sandwiched in the middle, I spent three nights in the marvelous little town of Parati in the State of Rio de Janeiro. A six hour bus ride from the City, this colorful colonial town lays right up against the Pacific Ocean in a bay. From an afternoon boat trip that romantically included a live guitar solo performance of Antonio Carlos Jobim's Girl from Impanema among other Brasilian music, I snapped this not particularly well-focused photo. But I love this scene for the context of Parati against the hills beyond.
I stayed at the Misti Chill Pousada with two new friends that I made on the busride from São Paulo. They generously offered their friendship and company on the boat trip—as well as bicycling to a waterfall that we slid down and wandering through the beautiful and historic old town.
The colonial town is white washed with brilliantly colored doors and windows. Shops and homes alternate throughout the cobblestone streets.
In Parati, I went out dancing the foro with a Brasilian man—and I learned that a good lead truly can make you a great dancer! I walked along the crescent sand beach and at passion fruit desserts from a vendor who sold his sweets from a wooden wagon in the street. A truly romantic travel destination on the coast of Brasil, Parati should not be missed!