Wonders of Brazil

Brazil, the largest country in South America is a land of contrasts. In the north you have the Amazon Rainforest, rich in biodiversity, the largest rainforest in the world is home to over 40,000 species of plants, 3,000 species of fish and 300 species of mammals. In the southwest you have the Pantanal Wetlands, the world's largest tropical wetland system with the largest population of jaguars. Brazil is a cultural melting pot influenced by African and European traditions. From Samba to Afro Brazilian music, to Portuguese food and Carnival and Soccer. Brazil is the largest exporter of coffee in the world. Other key exports are beef and soybeans. It's also home to several wonders of the world.

Iguazu Falls - Natural Wonder of the World

In 2024, I had the chance to visit Victoria Falls, straddling the Zambia Zimbabwe border in Africa. I was awestruck by the sheer beauty of the largest waterfalls in the world, based on combined width. But nothing compared me to the two days exploring the largest waterfall system (over 250 individual waterfalls) in the world.

Day 1 - Brazil Side - Up Close and Personal

The first stop of the day was visiting Parque das Aves or Bird Park Parque Das Aves. Parque das Aves is one of the few institutions in the world focused on the conservation of Atlantic Rainforest birds. Visiting the park, you have an enchanting experience with these beautiful and exuberant birds and the forests they inhabit and help to reverse the conservation crisis that the Atlantic Rainforest and its species are experiencing.

Once entering the park. It's an easy one-way trail. Each bend of the trail allows a different view of the falls. At the end of the trail is an elevated walkway that has been built directly on the river to get an up closer and wet view of Santa Maria Falls.

Day 2 - Argentine Side - Hiking the trails to Devil's Throat

The Argentinian side has much more connected trail system. The lower circuit is approximately 1.7km long and loops along the side of the cliff among the tropical forest offering a panoramic view of all the falls in the area. The Upper circuit is also 1.7 km long that takes you along the Rio Iguazu River with numerous viewpoints.

The highlight of the falls on the Argentinian side, is Devil's Throat. A massive U-shaped chasm where the Iguazu River plunges 82 metres

Christ the Redeemer - Modern Wonder of the World

Located on the summit of Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro is the Christ the Redeemer Statue. Its 98 feet tall and 92 feet wide with arms stretched out. Made out of reinforced concrete and soapstone, the statute was built between 1922 and 1931 to commemorate 100 years of Independence from Portuguese rule. The statue was also constructed to reclaim Rio de Janeiro from secularism and was a declaration of the city’s “Godliness,” with a strong belief in Christianity.

I was fortunate enough to visit on a sunny day. Not a cloud in the sky with fantastic views of Rio de Janeiro harbor.