We left Canada on December 17, 2020. Pandemic-wise, things were okay-ish, as good as it gets, anyway. Going to Brazil was worth the risk to us—the risk felt higher in Canada, where most of the winter is spent indoors.
The trip started out just fine. Feng, Mark and I arrived in São Paulo, we spent Christmas in Rio de Janeiro, then New Year in Florianópolis and around, where we stayed for a few weeks.
Feng and Mark went back to Canada as planned but it turned out more complicated than expected as the pandemic took another turn for the worse in North America.
I flew to Natal, then took the bus all the way to Salvador stopping in João Pessoa, Recife, Maceió and Aracaju.
In February, I ended up stuck in Brazil as Air Canada cancelled my return ticket and suspended all routes. So I stayed in Brazil until I found a way out in mid-March… to France.
- 8 Brazilian Things I’ll Miss (and 3 Things I Won’t)
- São Paulo to… Paris – When the Past Catches Up With You
- Maceió to São Paulo – Leaving Brazil Step 1, COVID Test and Full Lockdown
- Maceió – I Gotta Go
- Maceió – The “Swimming Pool” Beach
- Maceió – Sunday is Beach Day
- Maceió – “One Day, My Plane Will Come…”
- Maceió – (Kind of) Speaking the Language
- Maceió – Two Days with the Federal Military Police
- Aracaju to Maceió – Free Bus Wi-Fi to Catch Up With The World
- After Salvador, I’m Breathing in Aracaju
- Salvador to Aracaju
- Salvador, Muted – The Year When Pandemic Cancelled Carnival
- Faith and Stormy Weather in Salvador
- Looking for the Goddess of the Sea Along Salvador’s Coastline
- 6 Cities and 1,090 Km For Only $77.32 (I Love Travelling by Bus Travel Rocks in Brazil!)
- Aracaju’s Amazing Beach is 90% Sand, 10% Water
- Aracaju, The City Where Time Stands Still
- It’s Official, I’m Stuck in Brazil (Thanks, COVID!)
- Maceió to Aracaju
- The Best Food Truck Parks Ever are in Maceió
- Jangada Boat Ride in Maceió to An Amazing Natural Pool
- I’m Still in Love With Maceió (This is Why)
- Never Do Laundry The Night Before a Bus Trip
- Olinda’s Timelessness is What You Need in Time of Crisis
- Lost in Boa Viagem and Old Recife
- Pandemic Quarantine Hotels in Canada and Freaking Out in Recife
- The João Pessoa-Recife Bus Ride (And The Prep Before)
- Beach, Fish for Dinner and Repeat, I Love My Life in João Pessoa!
- Found the Easternmost Point of South America in João Pessoa!
- It’s Lively After Sunset in Tambaú, João Pessoa
- Natal to João Pessoa – First Bus Trip, New City, Bad Airbnb
- The Fine Art of Going to the Beach in Ponta Negra, Natal
- This is The Soundtrack of Natal
- My Husband Sent Me to Natal All Alone (And It’s Awesome)
- Nerve-Wrecking Plot Twist in São Paulo and Quick decision
- Wild Waves and Posh People on Praia Brava
- Driving Around Ilha De Santa Catarina… And Changing A Tire
- Pre-Departure COVID Test in São Paulo (Gotta Love Brazilian Pharmacies!)
- Fascinating “Altinha” Ball Skills and Thong Bikinis at Praia do Matadeiro
- Bodyboarding and Exploring Endless Praia do Moçambique
- Fishermen, Crabs, and Jungle Hike on Praia do Pântano do Sul
- Two Amazing Skies in One Day on Praia do Campeche
- Hiding From a Spectacular Storm on Praia da Armação
- Dunes, Wind and Giant Rocks on Praia da Joaquina
- Losing Track of the Time on Praia do Moçambique
- I’ll Go Sand-Dune Hiking for a Top Brazilian Beach
- Seven Waves, Wild Dolphins, and Middle-of-the-Jungle Mall for New Year’s Day
- How to Finally Delete 2020 (Brazilian Style, With White Clothes and Fireworks)
- Bye Rio, It’s Time for Our GOL Flight to Floripa!
- Surprisingly, Stairs and Doors Offer Fascinating Cultural Insights in Rio
- Exploring Rio From the Stairs to the “Tunnel of Death”
- Blue Sky, Beach, and Coconuts, This is Barra da Tijuca
- Our (Non-Instagramable) Christmas Day 2020 in Rio de Janeiro
- Thoughts From Ipanema on Christmas Eve 2020
- Rio de Janeiro for Christmas 2020 (Eh, Why Not?)
- 2020 is Ending… How is São Paulo Dealing With COVID Now?
- 8 Sure Signs You’ve Landed in São Paulo
- Pandemic Travel 2020 – Ottawa-Toronto-São Paulo (Made It!)
- I Guess We’re Not a Pandemic-Perfect Family, After All