Riviera de São Lorenço We had a great time at the beach! Bete rented us an apartment right on the beach! It was fabulous! I can't imagine having a better trip to the beach, well only if had been a little sunnier... but I won't complain!

Palm tree lined paved streets. So pretty!

Our apartment building. Ours was the 1st balcony on the right. Such an awesome view from there!

The apartment that we rented had a huge courtyard behind it. We think that several apartments shared this area, because it was HUGE and absolutely beautiful! You could play tennis, soccer, basket ball, sand volleyball, or just sit and relax. It was amazing with TONS of flowers and greenery everywhere. I think I could live here... if I was rich anyways...

View from our balcony - you could see the ocean more than you can tell in this picture, but mostly you could HEAR the ocean! I love it!

Another view

Lucas relaxing in the hammock out on the balcony. So much fun!

Bete, Lucas, Marcos and Luiza - Relaxing inside the apartment.

Mom getting ready to go out for dinner.

Lucas and Dad

Luiza and Marcos

When we were at the beach, we were responsible for our own meals, so we ate a small breakfast, ate lunch on the beach and then went out somewhere for dinner. The food was SO good!

We just loved this Pizzaria - Maremonte Lucas, Luiza, Mom and Dad at MareMonte

Marcos and Luiza Mom finishing off her Chopp (draft beer) - If you know my mom, this picture should crack you up. Eating at the mall - Buffet style - They have many restaurants like this where you get what you want and pay by the kilogram. Such good food!

First view of the beach!

Waterfall we saw along the way... this is the best picture that we got, but it was beautiful!

Blue sky!!! - Something we didn't see very often...

Luiza - trying to keep from getting carsick... The roads to the beach were very curvy

Several members of Lucas' family came down to Bragança to see him (there was plenty of room for everyone to stay here). While we were there, I was introduced to an old Folegatti Family tradition - Making Pizza! It was a blast and the pizza was the best I have ever had!

Marcos and Dora preparing the dough.

Dora, Bete, Marcos and Cibele - Making dough

We let the dough rise in the sauna and then Marcos had to make sure that he put a lot of energy into the dough, or it just doesn't taste as good... so he says! - The chef hat definitely completes the picture!

Cibele and Luiza preparing the pizzas with all of the toppings. Lucas and I watching!

Getting the pizza out of the oven...

Bete is heading up the party!

Marcos takes a break to sip some wine. Can you tell this is an Italian family?

Finishing up the pizzas! - We made 16 pizzas for 13 people... haha and yes, we ate almost all of them!!

Time to eat! - Yum!

In Bragança, they raise ducks and chickens. We were lucky enough to have about ten ducks be born while we were there. These ducks were about 2 days old when we went to see them.

So CUTE! I really wanted to take one home... Love them! Mom with a cute little duckie! :-)

The ducks are being raised by a hen... funny combination.

This one is about 2 months old. There were so many!

From the airport, we went straight to Lucas' Aunt Cibele's house in Bragança. It was absolutely beautiful, and a wonderful way to relax and enjoy nature! This part of the trip gave us a lot of time to sit and enjoy God's creation! So magnificent!

There is a small church at the top of this rock. We had planned to make this hike, but unfortunately it rained EVERY day that we were there!

Beautiful view from the water tower. Everything was SO green!

Down by the lake. I love mountains!

The storm is coming....

And we got used to seeing this a LOT!

But, after the storm, it was always beautiful!

View of the main house from the pool house! This place was absolutely amazing!

If you look closely, you can see two Maritacas (A type of parrot) - There was a flock of about 10 of them, but they're hard to see because they are the same color as the trees!

Marcos and I by the 1 mango on the tree!

Luiza and I - I love having a sister! :-)

Beautiful butterfly!

Lucas relaxing by the pool... this can't be comfortable!

Bete, me and Mom - relaxing in the gazebo by the lake.

Waiting out the rain under the umbrella.

Learning to play 5 crowns - One of our favorite games. Mom and dad brought it for Lucas' family.

Bete, Lucas, Dad and Mom - Reading and relaxing... this is the life!

Mom and Luiza solving the problems of the world. :-)

Marcos was telling the bug to stay... I can't say I was too thrilled about this giant black bug...

Self portrait taken by Marcos - We have many of these. He is so hilarious!

Luiza, Mom and Dad - Time to eat! Eating was always a good time!

Marcos and Luiza walked down the road a ways to get some better pictures. Beautiful!

Eating again... I was excited about having so much FRESH salad! Notice that Lucas has nothing green on his plate!

Waiting out the rain... again...

Pool and Pool house.

We have many pictures of this nest from a João de barro (John of the Mud). You will probably have to blow the picture up to see it.

Dad, Mom and I - We were playing volleyball over the pool! Notice all the water on the ground. It was of course raining...

Mom - Taking pictures of all of the fruit trees.

Front of the house

Mom and Bete - On top of the water tower. Lucas on the water tower.

Lucas and Dad were having camera flashing wars in the dark... Silly boys... Well, the pictures don't do it justice, but we had a wonderful time in this beautiful place! I could definitely live there. It's nice being in the middle of nowhere away from everything. The peace and quiet was definitely refreshing! Can't wait to go back!!!