Josh and Fernando

Things to do May 17, 2023

ALTER DO CHÃO – EXPLORING THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

The Amazon rainforest is a living testament to the inspiring power of nature; it is a breathing masterpiece. It’s vast territory covers nine countries and it is believed that one fourth of all terrestrial species live in there making the most biologically diverse place on Earth. It’s quite amusing that as a Brazilian, I’ve never had the chance to venture into the Amazon rainforest. The truth is, due to its immense distance from the big cities of Brazil, reaching certain pockets of this lush haven often entails enduring long flights that span over 10 hours. But hey, guess what? Against all odds, we’ve made it! We’ve finally set foot in this paradise, and we can hardly contain our excitement as we embark on a journey to unveil how this remarkable experience has profoundly transformed us. Since we love açaí, we couldn’t resist but begin our adventure in the state of…

People we have met October 9, 2020

Visit to the Kingdom of the Crown Prince Manvendra Singh gohil of Rajpipla

Prince Manvendra, the man who made history as the first gay prince in India to declare publicly being gay, took some of his time in between his busy agenda fighting for human rights to take us on a journey to show us where he came from. During our private tour, we saw the roots of his Royal Family in the Kingdom of Rajpipla as we learned about history and culture of India. His trajectory as an activist for human rights started in 2006 when he came out as being gay on Oprah, when then his mom, the Queen, wrote a letter on the newspaper disowning him. Prince Manvendra knew that he could be part of a big change in India. The human rights of the LGBTQ community that have been denied for so many that are deprived of sexual genre identity in India have now become his personal mission. The…

Things to do October 9, 2020

VARANASI IS FOR THE BRAVE – FROM THE GHAT TO THE KAMASUTRA TEMPLE

History and spirituality walk together in Varanasi. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, the place where is believed that Buddha lived and founded the Buddhism, Varanasi is not for the easy type traveler. Get ready to walk in narrow, dirty and smelly alleys as you have to carefully pass by cows, monkeys and watch your step for the cow poop. With that said, if you are not into spirituality or history, Varanasi is not for you. If you are truly an explorer and want to literally breathe the birth of Hindu culture, Varanasi offers a remarkable opportunity to experience these traditions firsthand. It was an overwhelming experience, but also incredibly cool and unique. For us, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We witnessed sights that we may never see again unless we return to Varanasi. A full day was sufficient to soak in the essence of…

Travel tips November 13, 2019

UNDERSTANDING TRAVEL EMISSIONS : WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Have you ever thought about your carbon foot print when you are traveling? When on vacation, most likely this isn’t the very first thing we think about. We decided to educate ourselves on this matter and what we found out was sadly surprising for us. Airplanes alone account for more than 8% of carbon dioxide emissions on the atmosphere. Even though there are no options to solve this problem in air transportation, we want to be more conscious travelers and we believe the first step is to understand the impact that our travels have on the planet. That’s why we had a conversation with Blake Lawrence, the Marketing Manager of Cool Effect, a renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cool Effect has already eliminated over a million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and they’re not stopping there. We discussed with Blake…

Travel tips November 7, 2019

INDIA 101 – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Without a doubt, India is one of the most exotic countries we have ever visited. The most attractive thing about India lies in its inherent exoticism, a place unlike any other on the globe. As first-time travelers to India, we embarked on a journey of learning and discovery. We quickly realized that escaping the bustling and crowded streets was futile. Embracing the chaos became a prerequisite, as we learned to navigate through streets teeming with cars, cows, monkeys, and everything in between. It may initially seem overwhelming, but rest assured, beyond the chaos of the streets lies a spiritual haven. Ancient traditions and beliefs are intricately woven into the fabric of daily life. As privileged visitors, we had the opportunity to witness this timeless treasure, an experience that will forever resonate within us. But to enjoy the best that India has to offer, it is important to be aware of some…

Travel tips October 19, 2019

CUBA, AN ISLAND WHERE TIME HAS STOPPED

Walking the streets of Havana is an experience that transcends time, as if you’ve been transported to a tropical paradise frozen in the 1950s. The sight of classic old cars along with the weathered facades of buildings in dire need of repair, creates a captivating and unparalleled scenery that is truly one-of-a-kind. Strolling through the streets of downtown Havana, it’s hard not to notice the sight of empty shelves in stores, offering very limited or sometimes no options at all. The concept of the “national” versions of everyday items like bread, butter, milk, and more is prevalent here, highlighting the scarcity of choices. One striking aspect of Cuba is the vibrant spirit of its people and their love for dancing. As the afternoon fades into evening, the city comes alive with the infectious rhythms of salsa resonating from every corner. Whether in bars or on the streets, you’ll witness a…

Where The Locals Go September 18, 2019

WHERE THE LOCALS GO – COSTA RICA

Before heading to a new destination, we always make an effort to connect with locals. Besides the fact that they know the best spots and hidden gems, connecting with people and making new friends is the main reason why we love to travel! Not to mention, it’s incredibly cool to experience the culture of the places we visit from a local’s perspective. Our next destination is Costa Rica, as we are planning our 7-day itinerary, we are ready to immerse ourselves in this beautiful Central American country in search of the essence behind the expression “pura vida” – or should we say, the way of life? For this very reason, we had the pleasure of interviewing Carlos, a passionate explorer who spends his weekends uncovering the natural wonders of Costa Rica while creating awe-inspiring content on Instagram. From picturesque hikes to breathtaking waterfalls, this vibrant country offers it all. Carlos’s…

Travel tips January 15, 2019

PARADISE DREAM – FERNANDO DE NORONHA ISLAND

Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago located off the northeast coast of Brazil and it has some of the most stunning beaches we’ve ever seen. In fact Baia do Sancho Beach was voted many times as the most beautiful beach in the world and we couldn’t agree more. While walking along the beaches or embarking on a diving adventure in the ocean, it is common to encounter sea turtles, dolphins and even inoffensive baby sharks along the archipelago’s coastline. It’s a magical experience! Fernando de Noronha is a National Marine Park and it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, all the nature resources of the archipelago are very well protected and completely preserved, for that reason is important to save a spot by planning your trip well in advance because there is a maximum capacity of tourists that can visit the island. Baia do Sancho, voted many times…

Things to do December 13, 2018

TOP #10 THINGS TO DO IN BALI

Bali is one of our favorite destinations in the world. We’ve been there several times, and each visit brings a unique experience. It is impossible not to fall in love with this island. Moreover, the Balinese people are incredibly kind and welcoming, providing an unforgettable experience on its own. The beautiful culture, stunning temples, incredible food, breathtaking views, and countless other attractions make Bali an exceptional place to explore. As Bali holds a special place in our hearts and feels like our second home, we can’t help but share the most beloved aspects of this enchanting island that you simply cannot miss. THINGS TO DO IN BALI 1 – Tegalalang terrace rice fields is one of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes of the island. If you never visited Bali before you have to visit this place. You can even hike through the rice fields and ride giant swings as…

Things to do December 5, 2018

MOUNT BATUR HIKE BALI

If we could choose the most memorable experience in Bali I think the sunrise Mount Batur hike would be one of those experiences. Mount Batur hike or Gunung Batur is an active volcano located about an hour from the village Ubud and was one of our favorite things to do in the island. https://youtu.be/ALfVc4ASBKc If you are leaving from Ubud your tour guide should pick you up around 1:30am – 2:00 am so by the time you arrive on the top of the volcano you can catch the sunrise, which is what this experience is all about. So make sure to leave on time from wherever you are in the island so you don’t miss the prime time at the top. Also, it is important to mention that you are hiking to the top of a volcano that is 5,633 feet above sea level, so it requires a lot of…