In Loving Memory of
Rocío Angulo
17/11/1977 – 08/02/2017
With an alpaca, Arequipa Province, Peru
Elena Rocío Angulo Bustinza was born near Lake Titicaca in Puno, Peru. Ambitious, she left home as soon as she could and landed in Japan. There, Rocío studied very hard, mastering the Japanese language and then an architecture degree. Rocío spent most of her adult life in Japan and culturally felt Japanese.
Since the last blog update I have been busy experiencing amazing adventures, including:
Look out for this and much, much more as I update joe.in.
Australia held an extraordinary federal election on 2 July. Citizens on the electoral roll could participate at overseas voting centres prior to election day. Brazil had two centres: Brasilia’s Embassy and São Paulo’s Consulate-General. With a terrible federal government in power, I ensured I exercised my democratic right by visiting São Paulo during the late June early voting period.
Although many tourists enter South America via São Paulo, the continent’s largest city is not a major tourist attraction. Despite this, I enjoy the city and, besides voting, also caught up with fellow runner and Pearl Jam fan, Cleide.
Union protesters on São Paulo’s main Paulista Avenue had the volume cranked up Continue reading
A stand up paddle board and paddles balancing on Paraty beach Praia do Pontal with stand up paddlers paddling on the water in the background
Founded in 1597, Paraty (also spelt Parati) is a historic town on the Costa Verde (Green Coast) between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Once an intermediate port for gold travelling from Minas Gerais to Portugal, Paraty was neglected for much of its recent history. This neglect helped preserve Paraty’s old buildings, contributing to its current charm as a tourist destination. Continue reading
From Salvador I flew south to Rio de Janeiro for a fun mid-June week. I previously visited Rio in November although only briefly and primarily to see Pearl Jam perform. This time I came to meet friends of old, make new friends and see the famous city’s sites.
Only a few people visited Ipanema Beach on this overcast day Continue reading
Wheelbarrows are a popular way of moving goods at Tucano’s Saturday markets
Tucano’s Saturday markets are great for buying fresh produce and people-watching. Not that the markets are a tourist attraction – during both this and December’s visits I didn’t notice another foreigner. The markets take up several inner-Tucano streets with different sections for produce, clothes and other goods. On this occasion Fernanda, Mariana and I caught a lift with Luis Carlos who was selling his custard apples (chirimoya), guavas and a local fruit. The custard apples tasted fantastic.
Continue reading
A green paddock partially camouflages parrots sitting on a fence and one taking off. Also note the grey bird below
At Marizá Epicentro I joined farm volunteers Fernanda and Mariana for two great afternoon hikes. The first hike destination was a hilltop cross to watch the sun set. Continue reading
A red-headed bird in the late afternoon Marizá sun
In early June I returned to Marsha’s Marizá Epicentro permaculture farm. I loved my summer visit and looked forward to seeing the farm in winter.
Being tropical, June days were still hot and nights warm although without December’s extremes. The most noticeable seasonal difference was increased greenery. Continue reading