What happens when you get to travel to a remote part of Brazil with 2 of your closest friends? Well, you’re about to find out…
Matt, Aida and I set off on TAM Airlines a few weeks back and headed down to Belém, Brazil. It’s situated right on the mouth of the Amazon and it’s seriously unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Having been to Brazil once before and spent some time in Rio, Salvador, Iguazu and a different part of the Amazon, I knew I was in for an epic adventure that can be found #onlyinsouthamerica .
My last Amazonian trip took me deep into the Amazon. A flight, 2 bus rides, 2 boat rides later, I found myself at Juma Lodge with not a peep of Wi-Fi (gasp)! This time around we spent our time in Belém, which is a bustling city with totally new flavors when it comes to their cuisine. If you followed along on social media, you probably saw a sneak peek into the adventures but today we’re really get into it!
To say it was an adventure would be an understatement. We explored a completely new-to-me part of Brazil that came with riding buffalo just for the sake of riding buffalo, deserted beaches that look like they should be scenes for a movie set, men that scale trees in order to harvest fruit, an incredible market called Ver-o-Peso that gives other open air markets a run for their money. Plus, I was introduced to tons of new foods that I’m working on putting a little What’s Gaby Cooking spin on and sharing with you. There was an abundance of fun ice cream flavors from the award winning ice cream shop Cairu, tons and tons of açaí, fresh coconut water around every turn, a soup called “tacacá” that could seriously turn anyones day rightsideup, the spiciest of peppers at the market and Brigadeiro cupcakes!! While I’m busy recipe testing up a storm to bring a little more Brazil into your kitchens, just know that Pineapple Caipirinhas are my new cocktail of choice and the Grilled Amazonian Fish from one of my fav restaurants is out of this world… especially when served with an addictive Onion Pepper Vinaigrette.
A major thank you to TAM Airlines for being the best hosts and for Para Turismo, Marco especially, for being so amazing and showing us your world!
Photos 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22 by Matt Armendariz
Photos 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18, 20 by Gaby Dalkin
Yay, I had such fun on our adventure! Can we please take water buffalo everywhere we go!?!
The Food!!! The Pictures!!! Only in South America….
can we someday do a super chic trip to Peru together?!? It needs to happen
what an amazing trip!!!! Next time could you sneak me in your suitcase?! Please/Thank you!!!
YES!!!!! YES AND YES
This looks like such a fantastic trip. The scenery and food are both breathtaking, and I love the little Matt in your glasses in the first picture.
So fun! My dad goes to Brazil every year and I hope to join him someday!
Looks like a fantastic trip! Great photographs! Looking forward to seeing you spin on some of the delicious food you sampled!
These photos look AMAZING! I want to go to Brazil!!
Fabulous photos, fabulous Gaby!
Love these pics – makes me want to go travel. Plus I am a little jealous that you got to ride a water buffalo!
What gorgeous photos!!!! I want to go 🙂
What an amazing adventure. I’ll have to put Brazil on my bucket list.
What an incredible adventure! And with Matt and Aida to boot! I love the incredible amounts of fresh fruits that are available in South America and the ceviche, never enough ceviche! I lived in Panama for four years when I was very little and my fondest memories are of all the wonderful food….and the ceviche (plus tostones!).
wow!! it looks like you had SUCH an amazing trip!!!! jealous!
Holy moly! The most incredible photos and story- sounds like you had the absolute best time! Thanks for sharing Gaby!
Looks sooooooo FUN!!
My mouth is hanging open. This is a travel recap like no other!! Must be nice to travel with a photographer!! 😉
All the food looks incredible; S.A. is waaaay up their on my travel radar for sure.
This looks too fun, what an amazing adventure! Awesome pics and WOW the FOOD!!!
WOW, the food looks amazing! Love your pictures. I feel like I was there too!
WOW – your photos are amazing. All the food looks incredible – especially that fish. Beautiful! What a fun adventure.
Simply amazing, what a one of a kind adventure! Looks like a blast 🙂
Now I want to book my flight to Belem!
looks AMAAAAAAAAAZEEEEEEEENG.
We are getting our first snow of the season, the ground is completely white. Oh, the color in your photos! What a fabulous trip!!
Nice post 🙂