Brazil, Land of Great Pleasure

She came to study, and discovered her own paradise

“Marie spent a semester studying in Brazil. In the process, she discovered her paradise on earth. She split most of her time between Sao Paulo, to study, and Ubatuba, to relax on the beach. Not surprisingly, she made it out to Rio de Janiero at least once, entering the famous Maracana Stadium and riding the Sugarloaf Cable Car to the top of – you guessed it – Sugarloaf Mountain, a view that looks over all of Rio. Marie gives us a taste of Brazilian culture with her top Brazilian drinks and food choices.”

Like Marie has said, Brazilians are always thirsty. Who can be surprised? Soaking up all of that sun requires replenishment, with the top choices being cachaça (made with lemon, sugar, and the alcohol cachaça), guarana (an energy drink made from the Amazonian plant), and the water of the people, cerveja (or beer, for all you English-only readers out there)! Whether Marie was lounging in a beach chair digging her toes into the sand or wading waist deep into the surf, a glass of cachaça was always nearby.

Speaking of the beach, Ubatuba was a special place for her to get away from the stresses of schoolwork and living in a busy city such as Sao Paulo. The beaches of Ubatuba are nestled in between the lush and, sometimes, raised points jutting out from the mainland. The adventurous person would immediately connect with Ubatuba, as its geography has bestowed the shoreline with many secret beaches and caves. It must be time for another cachaça.

Planet DistriKt Tip : a day cruise in the Angra dos Reis archipelago.