The sun is back!

Today the sun came back. After long and exhaustive raining, we did a smal walk to the outer side of the Sugar Loaf. AS you can see, you get a nice view of the bay entrance. In the distance you can actually see Itaipú Beach. It is in the center of the horizon.

Meu caro amigo

"Meu caro amigo", de Chico Buarque.

Living colours

No samba queen pictures, no boatbuilding.... The only alternative is to go deep into the hart of Brazil, thousands of miles form the sea, and go see what's going on in the Pantanal Lodge of our friend Lucas and Musa. They run a charming lodge, deep in the swampland of the Pantanal, a gigantiic natural reserve with amazing wildlife. Check it out:
http://pantanal-lodge.blogspot.com/

Arpex construction

Yesterday I spoke to Luiz Fernando. He has gone through a battery of tests, and all seems well. He is eager to start building on Monday. As much as I would welcome the building action, I guess I will ask him to wait until we have an oficial medical word on that. I would be catastrophic to have to interrupt building in half stage...

Since there is nothig going on there yet, I will not go to Itaipú this weekend.

The inevitable.... END

It's over. The phantastic season of the year, Carnaval, is over. Only next year are we going to enjoy the crazy, foolish action in the streets again. It's true, rain has dampened spirits this time. But none the less I enjoyed to follow the action remotely. And now it's all over.

... since we are in Brazil, and we can never get enough, there are still some blocks in the streets though... maybe I should...?

And the winner is.... Beija Flor de Nilópolis

The samba school Beja Flor has won the samba school contest for the 5th time in 6 years. The queen of the bateria, Raissa, deserves the honour. She is to be seen on the lower picture. Selminha Sorriso is the flag holder. She honours her name (sorriso=smile).

Rainha da bateria

Wikipedia:
Rainha de bateria é uma mulher escolhida pelos ritmistas para representar a ala de percussão de uma escola de samba do carnaval brasileiro. Soninha Capeta,desfilando pela Beija Flor no carnaval de 1988, foi a primeira rainha de bateria. Não confundir com madrinha de bateria.

The "Queen of the Bateria" is a woman chosen to represent the percussion of a samba school. The percussion, bateria, is formed by 60 musicians with percussion instruments. The queen is responsible for bringing the spirits up during the 80 minute performance in the sambodromo. She needs to be a good samba dancer.

Moro num país tropical!!!

Two versions of the same song. The phantastic Jorge Benjor, and his "País Tropical". The "ao vivo" type of performance is more of his style.

Who cares about speed records?

Let's be honest; who cares about speed records in cold Germany?

From whatever side you look at it, in colour or black and white, carnival in Rio still rules!

50Kts world record broken!

The 50kts speed barrier has been broken in northern Germany. Tilmann Heinig has clocked 500 meters at 50,9 knots.

Tim Maia 1971

Carnival still pulsing

It ain't over yet! The samba is still in the streets.

Watch out!!!

You better take care; If you keep our eyes too much on the dancing action, you might miss a mischiveuous approach.

Brazilian Mermaid

Brazilian Carnaval brings many things to sight. Also mermaids... well guarded by some sideous looking sharks.

Memaid series are a tempting challenge. But, unfortunately I can't afford that. Only a carnavalesk pretext allows me to post about miscelaneus content. Maybe just once in a while, just to keep the coulour in the compound of visual information.

Carnaval is also sound and movement

Mind you, carnival is not just beautyful images, it is also sound and movement. Actually, it is mainly sound and movement. The images are just a by-product. But that's ok. Make sure you have your boxes on, and the volume up. Note, these images were taken at a rehersal...

Golfinhos fazendo arcos de ar

Este vídeo é incrível!

Finalmente descobri como fazer para postar vídeos do Youtube. E este vídeo foi escolhido para ser o primeiro. Não é incrível?

Carnival. Last day...