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Having travelled to Brazil many times, there was always a thirst to discover more about this fascinating country, with all of its ethnicities, history and cultures.

So, I finally visited Ouro Preto, a colonial town in the state of Minas Gerais. The streets are steep and winding and cobblestoned which is a bit of a challenge for the explorer, especially this one with a bad knee. The architecture is baroque and includes bridges, fountains and squares and so much character.

I met up with an old friend and colleague, Karla, who now lives in a nearby town. We spent 3 days exploring this colonial gem, walking, wining and dining, shopping and laughing a lot. It is always fun to catch up with old friends, but to go on an adventure with them is icing on the cake.

We joined a tour, in a colourful old bus, of the main highlights, many of which are churches and chapels. We stopped at an old mine which was haunting, as we learned the history of the slaves who were sent down to work underground, many of them just children. Ouro Preto was built on slavery with the gold boom of the 18 the century. Slavers were brought in not just for mining, but also to work on sugar and coffee farms and cattle ranches. It was a very solemn visit and difficult to take the history of this beautiful city. Slavery was abolished in 1888.

The next two days, we spent time wandering the cobblestoned streets and enjoying the shops and restaurants and museums. Minas Gerais produces many [precious gemstones, so jewellery shopping is very tempting. We ended up meeting a lovely chap who could have been Morgan Freeman’s cousin, in a gem shop and walked away with some lovely blue topaz, and amethyst rings, and a lighter wallet.

The accommodation choices in Ouro Preto are mostly charming colonial pousadas. We stayed at the Posada Solar do Rosario with its 38 charmingly colonial rooms, a spa and pool and courtyards., The restaurant and bar are so elegant and the food top notch.

Ouro Preto has left a lasting impression and I can’t ait to return and spend more time in this fascinating part of Brazil.

Many, many years ago I saw postcards of Jericoacoara and it’s unique colourful hand-crafted fishing boats called jagandas on the beautiful sandy beaches. I thought – I have to go there one day! It took me about forty years, but I finally did get there last October.

It was much more than colourful fishing boats. Jericoacoara is in Ceara state in North East Brazil. It now has its own airport, about an hour from the main village. A friend had told me not to take my suitcase as it was all sand and I could not wheel it to the hotel. ‘Just take 2 bikinis, 2 Bermuda shorts and 3 t-shirts. Buy a nice lace hat and lace dress there from the locals.’ I thought he was being silly, until I arrived. The transfer is by dune buggy or 4-wheel drive, along the beach and through the sand dunes. Fortunately, my driver arrived at the door of my lodging and carried my suitcase in, as it was true.. The village is all sand – not sand on foundations – but sand, as in the beach – all through the village. I even stepped into a shop and realised there was no floor – just sand.

So, I settled in at my charming lodge ‘Pousada La Vie Jeri’ with its 8 suites situated around the courtyard with a refreshing pool in the middle. Rooms are Hollywood themed – I was in the Charlie Chaplin Suite – instead of a number on the door, there was a picture of Charlie. Breakfast is served on your own little balcony. The staff are so warm and friendly. 

I then wandered for 5 minutes, along the sandy streets down to the actual beach and was delighted to find ‘jagandas’ resting on their sides on the beach. There were surfers, swimmers and kite-surfers in the turquoise water. I joined them for a dip and then sat there on the beach pinching myself to believe that I was finally here.

The beach is long and one has the option to sit under thatched umbrellas and order a caipirinha, or have a bit at one of the beachfront cafes, to the sounds of live music.

Kite surfing is incredibly popular here due to the constant winds. I met a chap who owned a kite surfing company and was taking a group of friends kite surfing for a week – from village to village. A jeep took their luggage each day while they kite-surfed from one village to another, spending a night in each. I thought - if I were younger and a kite surfer this would be a dream!

As I am neither, I opted to spend a day at the nearby Lago Azul (Blue Lagoon) where one can relax on a hammock in the water, sip cocktails and dine on fresh seafood. More my speed. I bid farewell to Jeri, with a jeep ride along the beach, kite surfers to the left of me, donkeys to the right, one of the symbols of Jericoacoara, wandering in the dunes. Ahh Jeri, I will be back. Am thinking next time of visiting Lencois Marenhenses on the way - another dream!