Sunny Brazil: Cabo Frio

Olá amigos,

this time I have been condemned to write the next post about Brazil. The second visit to BH (Dec 2008) we decided to take a beach holiday and have a look at the most famous city of Brazil. So we first went from BH to Cabo Frio, a small beach front city almost 600km south from BH. Although my Portuguese book says that distances around 500km are still seen as short range.

We took one of the long range buses, comparable to the ones Germans use to go to Lorett de Mar in Spain. You don't have trains in Brazil, as the automotive industry had already to much influence on the government when the decision was made. Nevertheless the trip is quite comfy, at least as long the bus driver did not switch off the air condition during the night, just a little bit long with around 10 hours. But it was worth the ride...

These are the views from our flat from the morning to evening. 

Cabo Frio (Cold Cape, in English) itself is a 190.000 inhabitant town situated at the state of Rio de Janeiro. It’s a famous get away for lots of people, especially the ones coming from Minas Gerais (that, in most cases, own flats there), during summer time and long holidays. Additionally it is said that during these times, half of Minas Gerais is in Cabo Frio and it is easier to meet someone from BH there than in the City. Therefore, it’s one of these places where it can be quite empty with the lack of visitors during the low season. 


There are nine beaches in Cabo Frio but the main one is called Forte Beach (praia do Forte), named after the fort (Forte de São Mateus) situated in the north rock, built by the Portuguese in 1616 to defend themselves from the French, English and Dutch, that sought pau-brasil, a very desired kind of tree at the time (“Brazil” is named after this species of tree). Anyways, the Forte Beach has 4 km of clean white sand and the ocean water is reaaaally cold! 

Forte Beach - The promenade in the evening

 it was also Christmas time!

Forte de São Mateus

The neighbour village is called Arraial do Cabo and some of the beaches are even prettier than the ones at Cabo Frio. We took the bus and were there in no time. It’s great to spend the day, there were not many tourists when we’ve been there, so we could enjoy the quietness, Sven could enjoy the peace by reading a book and Mitza by trying to get a tan. We enjoyed the opportunity to eat a delicious meal: Fish and chips! Sorry, but this is much better than the ones made in London! :)

Hmmm, Coconut water!

Yachting in Brazil

Fish and Chips, Brazilian style!

"Buggy" - a typical beach car - look at the seats!

 (As soon as the owner noticed that I took a picture he tried to sell it to me!)

After spending a few lovely days in Cabo Frio and region, we headed south, to Rio de Janeiro (city), which you can read about on our next post!