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Brazil 2026
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Brazil 2026

Family visit to João Pessoa and Araxá with Wally and Marli. Read more
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    🇧🇷 Araxá, Brazil
    Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    Papaya Tree
    Another home in the neighborhoodTwin SisterTwin BrotherMarli's Pão de Queijodelicious Mandioca Root friesMarli's brother PaulinhoTulipa, Picanha, Linguiça ArtesanalGabriel & BrendaPearl feast 🦪Magali showing her pearl1Tchãozinho aiming for the recycle bin1

    Friday & Saturday Party

    April 4 in Brazil ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Friday turned into a full day of preparation for Saturday’s party.

    And what a party it was. Anything but dull, like a lively celebration filled with Brazilian music, animated conversations, drinks, endless servings of meat, and a few playful pranks. Funny, that the men and women tended to stay in their own groups for most of the evening, not mixing very much. All the guests belonged to Marli’s extended family, with some traveling from as far as Belo Horizonte (Paulinho) just to be there. 🇧🇷

    It was a pleasure to see how naturally Wally has already become part of the family, and how warmly Ursula and I were welcomed. Communication was, at times, limited for us, of course, but Google Translate bridged the gaps surprisingly well 😂.

    Marli’s daughter, Thais, and her husband, Pedro, were among the first to arrive. Pedro quickly took charge of the charcoal churrasco and proved himself a true grill master. A steady flow of different cuts of meat and sausages kept coming without pause until around eleven, when the first guests began to drift home. 🥩

    Throughout the evening, Marli was constantly on the move, making sure everyone felt at ease and well fed. Her homemade pão de queijo and caramel flan were absolutely delicious. Meanwhile, Ursula had the wonderful idea of bringing pearl gifts for the ladies, which turned out to be a great success. 🎁

    At one point, a heavy downpour forced everyone indoors, but it did little to dampen the spirit of the evening. Among Marli’s five brothers, Tchãozinho stood out as the most vibrant presence, instantly recognizable in his orange T-shirt, joking, teasing, and dancing, even pulling other men onto the floor. 🕺

    It could hardly have been a better evening, and for Ursula and me, it was truly memorable. 🇧🇷🥂🎉    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler

    Thursday

    April 2 in Brazil ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    Nothing particularly noteworthy happened today. The day unfolded at an unhurried, quiet pace, so gentle that it almost brought a sense of guilt for not having planned and pursued something more eventful.

    Ursula spent part of the morning mending a tablecloth before turning to the vacuum cleaner, while Marli moved through the house, tending to her daily cleaning routine.

    I passed a good portion of the day helping Wally bring some order to his MacBook Air and experimenting with ChatGPT. The hours slipped by easily as we explored, adjusted, and learned together.

    In between, I took a few photographs of the house’s interior and striking images of the illuminated clouds in the sky.

    In the afternoon, a rain shower drifted through, taking the edge off the heat and leaving the air pleasantly cooler.

    Soon after, the electricity began to falter, flickering on and off before settling into a series of blackouts. Strangely, it didn’t feel like an inconvenience. By candlelight, the living room was transformed into a romantic-looking space.

    With the sunset, our stomachs began to growl, and with that, we headed out in search of a Buteco for something light to eat. Klanago's Bar was just the right place! Serving chicken wings (Tulipa), bacon-wrapped beef, and other local favorites on a skewer. And of course, our favorite "Original" light beer. 😋😋😋. Many other guests came over to greet us as they recognized Marli and Wally, who frequent this street bar often.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    1Elevated Home Garbage Container
    Local BackeryNeighborhood SecurityMarli purchased one of these Papayas321Pork for SaleBeef for SaleHeinz holding shaky ladder 😂Installing towel holders in the kitchen

    Wednesday

    April 1 in Brazil ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    For reasons I can’t quite explain, my mind was unusually active throughout the night, and I struggled to slip into a deep, restful sleep. Just as I finally began to drift off, the neighborhood’s rooster chorus erupted at 4:15 a.m., abruptly ending any hope of rest. It’s something that happens to me from time to time, without any clear cause.

    Like the day before, we got off to a late start again, with no particular plan for the day. Wally announced he was in the mood for scrambled eggs, but we had run out of bread. So Marli and I set off on foot to the local bakery, about half a mile away, just beyond the entrance to their gated community. I couldn't help noticing all the elevated baskets sitting on a post to hold the garbage bags, to be safe from dogs and other creatures.

    Wally’s eggs turned out to be a great success with the others. I, however, stayed with the simple choice of bread, butter, marmalade, fruit juice, and coffee. Afterwards, we gathered to map out the days ahead. With Easter week underway, many places would be closed at different times, and Marli was planning to host her entire family for a Saturday afternoon barbecue, a kind of “get to know Heinz and Ursula” gathering. Clearly, this called for some careful planning.

    The obvious next step was grocery shopping. While Ursula stayed behind to take care of a bit of “homework,” the rest of us piled into Wally’s car and headed into town. What I had imagined would be a straightforward trip to a single supermarket turned into a much more interesting experience. Marli had prepared a detailed list, sending us to a series of small, specialized shops for fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish. Only at the end did we stop at a supermarket for the remaining odds and ends.

    Back at the house, I helped Wally install a special clock above the main entrance door and two towel holders we brought from Dallas for the kitchen.

    This evening, we’ll be dining at the same restaurant where Wally and Marli celebrated their wedding in January 2025.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    Pygmy Date PalmGolden Shower TreeAfrican Tulip TreeMarli's old homeA painting created by Marli's sonBeauty queen of Araxá at age 50Dona Beja MuseumOther museum that was closed

    Tuesday (Terça-Feira)

    March 31 in Brazil ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    The neighborhood on the outskirts of town where Wally and Marli live is alive with birds. One especially striking little visitor, with a bright yellow chest and belly, sat just a few yards from me, entirely at ease, as I was in the garden enjoying the cool air of the early morning.

    Wally woke once again with a headache and chose to return to bed for some additional rest. Meanwhile, Marli was already busy in the kitchen, preparing a traditional Brazilian caramel flan from a recipe passed down by her mother, while Ursula took care of some ironing.

    Breakfast did not take place until well past noon, and for a time it seemed as though the day might drift by without much happening. That impression, however, proved to be misleading. We had simply gotten off to a late start. The clock hanging project was postponed until tomorrow, and before long, we all climbed into Wally’s car and set off.

    Our first destination was Parque do Cristo, a hilltop park overlooking the town of Araxá, crowned by a prominent statue of Christ. There, I found plenty of opportunities to photograph a variety of unusual plants and flowers.

    We then continued to the neighborhood where Marli grew up, visiting the house that still holds so many of her memories. She now owns the two-story home and is in the process of renovating it, with plans to rent it out. As we walked through the rooms, stories from her childhood came vividly back to life. One in particular stood out. At the age of fifty, she entered a beauty contest and won first place among fifteen contestants. She even showed us the poster as proof. Quite remarkable.

    As we were leaving, several neighbors gathered to greet us, having noticed our visit. Among them was a woman approaching her ninety-fifth birthday who looked much younger and was as sharp as ever.

    Our next stop was the Dona Beja Museum, located in one of the most emblematic mansions in the historic part of Araxá. It pays tribute to an iconic local figure and displays objects and artifacts that tell the story of the city. The building dates from the early colonial period and features architecture characteristic of that era, when gold and diamond mining shaped the region’s economy, including artifacts of early civilization.

    Interestingly, today the state of Minas Gerais, where Araxá lies, accounts for roughly seventy percent of the world’s Niobium (Nb) production, a rare metal widely used to strengthen steel.

    After returning home to freshen up, we headed back once more to the historic district, where we treated ourselves to a delicious Sushi dinner at Kimono, while it started to rain.

    Afterwards, Marli delighted us with a slice of her homemade flan for dessert (sobremesa), for a sweet ending to an interesting day.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    4
    Yellow TrumpetsBeef, with Farofa, and Mandioca root

    Araxá - Day 2

    March 30 in Brazil ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    At exactly 4:15 AM, it felt as though every rooster in the neighborhood had received the same secret signal. One by one, they chimed in, building a five-minute chorus that drifted through the soft morning air. Half asleep, I listened to this unexpected concert; something I hadn’t experienced in a very long time. It was nature’s own alarm clock, far earlier than I would have chosen, yet impossible not to appreciate. Even in my drowsy state, it left me smiling on the awakening of our second day in Araxá 🐓.

    We decided to keep the day leisurely. Wally and Marli enjoyed opening a few more of the gifts we had brought along. Soon after, Wally prepared simple but satisfying ham-and-cheese sandwiches, while Marli served fresh mango slices 🥭.

    After helping Wally tackle a few computer challenges, Ursula and I felt the need to stretch our legs. We took a short walk around the block, snapping a few photos along the way. It was a beautiful Monday; blue skies, a scattering of clouds, and pleasantly low humidity.

    Wally continues to impress with how well he communicates in Portuguese. I, on the other hand, am still wrestling with the pronunciation of Brazilian Portuguese and sometimes struggle to follow Marli’s melodic local accent. Still, I’m getting used to it—at this rate, I might just be fluent by the time we leave 😂.

    Their home on Ruas das Candeias #380 is a modern two-bedroom house with an open-plan living room, kitchen, and dining area. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the front and back fill the space with light, while high ceilings give it an airy, spacious feel. There are three bathrooms, a laundry and utility room, and a grassy backyard complete with an outdoor shower.

    As sunset approached and our appetites returned, Wally drove us to a nearby Buteco (an informal outdoor bar and restaurant) for a couple of beers and a light bite. I couldn’t resist ordering dessert, and Wally was more than happy to follow suit, ending the evening with a delicious caramel flan.

    Several locals stopped by our table, recognizing Wally and Marli. They took the opportunity to introduce us .... the couple from Dallas, who also speak Swiss and German 😂.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    Outskirt of AraxáEntry to gated communityWally & Marli's HomeSavoring delicious beef tacos

    Driving to Araxá

    March 29 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    After an elaborate breakfast, we loaded our suitcases into Wally’s Honda City and set off toward Araxá. The two-and-a-half-hour journey was mostly on a paved two-lane road, cutting through vast agricultural landscapes—endless fields of corn and coffee, stretches of sugar cane, and orderly plantations of eucalyptus and pine.

    Wally (a former car mechanic) still drives with the spirit of a racecar driver 😄, which made the ride anything but dull. After a quick bathroom break, we made a brief stop at a supermarket on the outskirts of Araxá to pick up a few essentials before continuing.

    Soon after, we arrived at Wally and Marli’s home, located in a gated community on the east side of town—our comfortable base for the next chapter of the journey.

    More about their modern, beautiful home and life in Brazil, over the next few days.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    Hotel MercureQuick Asian Snack

    Travel Day

    March 28 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    🇧🇷 Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to this beautiful spot by the ocean. At the same time, it marks the start of the next chapter of our journey: ten days in Araxá, the hometown of Wally, Marli, and her extended family. Our flight for Uberlândia is leaving at 11:20 AM ✈️. Jaime is driving us to the airport. 🚐

    Our flight was smooth and uneventful. Wally and Marli suggested we spend the night in Uberlândia and check out a newly opened churrasco restaurant later in the evening. In the meantime, we settled into the Hotel Mercure and headed over to the adjacent shopping mall for a quick appetizer, as our stomachs were already making their impatience quite clear.

    Churrascaria Pim Grill turned out to be a great success. The variety of meat cuts was delicious, and I was even able to sneak in a quick video of the grill in the kitchen. But as is often the case at these fixed-menu places, you end up eating with your eyes—and we all indulged in just a bit too much. 😄🍺    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler

    Praia Vermelha

    March 27 in Brazil ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    Because it was our last day in João Pessoa, we all agreed there was only one sensible plan: a full-on beach day.

    Jaime, as always, had the perfect finale in mind, Praia Vermelha, a place guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. We rolled in around eleven and settled into four delightfully unproductive hours of swimming in bath-warm water, enjoying the surf, and sharing beers, grilled shrimp, and crispy mandioca fries. Not exactly a hardship 🤣.

    Back at the hotel, we did our best to look presentable again and rewarded ourselves with a short afternoon nap before meeting Wally and Marli at a beach cabana for happy hour drinks.

    And for dinner? Let’s stick with a winning formula. The hotel rooftop restaurant was the obvious choice this evening.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler

    A day without a Plan

    March 26 in Brazil ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    We kept today deliberately unplanned, with a 65% chance of rain in the forecast. As it turned out, the weather had other ideas. It stayed warm and a bit muggy, with clouds building throughout the day, yet not a single drop of rain fell.

    For a change, we had breakfast at the rooftop restaurant, since the main dining area was taken over by a skin care and cosmetic surgery convention. Afterwards, Ursula and I set off on a morning walk, exploring the neighborhood about two kilometers north of the hotel before returning along the beach. A splendid idea. We both enjoyed it immensely, even though I ended up completely drenched in sweat. Fortunately, our room has a wonderful rain shower, which cooled me down in no time.

    After a short afternoon nap, Wally called and invited us to a nearby Açaí Berry spot for a refreshing treat. Delicious and just what we needed. Later in the afternoon, Jaime picked us up and drove us to Praia do Jacaré, where every day at 5 PM a well-known saxophonist glides along the Rio Paraíba do Norte in a small motorboat, playing as the sun sets on the horizon. The whole scene was both unique and memorable, one of those unplanned yet magical travel moments.

    Wally and I settled in for a beer while the ladies explored the nearby strip of clothing and souvenir shops. Jaime then surprised us with a small good luck charm as a keepsake. In a humorous twist, his phone had run out of battery, so I ended up paying for our little souvenirs. A fair trade and reason for good laughs.

    On the way back, Mr. Uber took us to a local barbecue restaurant, where we cooled off with more drinks and enjoyed excellent beef and pork ribs, along with perfectly prepared Brazilian picanha.

    A fitting end to a very easygoing and unexpectedly perfect day.

    Outch …. I just realized that we are leaving Saturday morning - thus, tomorrow is our last day in João Pessoa.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    Avocado, Mango, Guanabana
    11Praia de Trambaba1Praia de CoqueirinhoPraia de CoqueirinhoLighthouseSpot where South America is closest to AfricaMarli and Wally1

    Praia de Tambaba and Coqueirinho

    March 25 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    Jaime picked us up and took us on a coastal excursion to the south. More than just an Uber driver, he is a knowledgeable guide licensed by the state of Paraíba, and he shared his insights throughout the day.

    Our first stop was a charming little tourist village, with rustic mud huts topped by thatched roofs. Local artisans, many from indigenous communities, were showcasing and selling their handmade products. We sampled freshly pressed suco and picked up some delicious local honey. Marli selected a few gorgeous-looking mangoes for Wally, who, unfortunately, had to stay home with a migraine.

    The roads were in fairly good condition, though typically narrow with two-way traffic, the usual speed bumps, and the occasional pothole.

    Our next destination was Praia de Tambaba, about 27 km from João Pessoa. A steep, winding cobblestone road led us down to a secluded beach cove, framed by striking rock formations and dotted with turquoise tidal pools perfect for a refreshing dip. One of the most memorable sights was a rock out in the surf crowned by a single palm tree. Just to the south lies a nudist beach—no drones allowed 😂.

    From there, Jaime took us to Praia de Coqueirinho, where a viewpoint high on the cliffs offered a truly magical panorama of the coastline. After taking it all in, we headed down to the beach for a relaxing break and a light snack. Just relaxing and taking in the spectacular beach view, with palm trees, and the noise of the ocean waves was amazing.

    The weather couldn’t have been better all day: sunny, with a pleasant breeze and comfortably warm temperatures.

    On the way back, we stopped at a very unique lighthouse located at the easternmost point of the continent, where South America is closest to Africa—a special place to stand and take in the vastness of the Atlantic.

    Dinner this evening was at a seafood restaurant of Marli’s choice. My redfish fillet with mushroom risotto was excellent.

    It’s now eleven o’clock—time for bed. We don’t have any plans for tomorrow yet.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    😀 Do you know what I mean?
    2Caipirinhas 🥂JaimeJoão Pessoa (murdered in 1930)

    João Pessoa - Centro Hiastórico

    March 24 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    After an early afternoon drink at the rooftop bar, we were picked up by our Uber driver, Jaime, who took us on a tour of the João Pessoa historic district. On the way, we passed a small pond, named Lagoa Lucena. The city itself is named after João Pessoa Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, a Brazilian politician who was assassinated in 1930.

    From its origins as a modest trading post along the Paraíba do Norte River, the city has grown into a modern coastal destination, with high-rise buildings lining the beachfront. The regional economy is still rooted in agriculture, with sugarcane, coconuts, and a variety of tropical fruits playing a major role. In recent years, however, lower operating costs compared to larger Brazilian cities have attracted data and call centers, customer service operations, as well as a growing number of small tech companies and startups.

    At the heart of the old town square stands a statue of João Pessoa, surrounded by two active government buildings, the original university, and a former government building that now serves as a museum. Beyond that, we passed several churches and the Hotel Globo, once the town’s first luxury hotel, built in 1929. Today, it stands abandoned and in visible decline, much like several other historic structures we saw along the way.

    All in all, the tour was pleasant, though not particularly memorable. We ended the afternoon at a breezy beach café, recommended by Marli, enjoying cold beers and light snacks.

    The late-night dinner at the hotel rooftop restaurant seemed like the easy and perfect place to round off this interesting day.

    For tomorrow, we are planning to explore a few beaches 🏖️ to the south.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    1

    Praia Ponta De Campina

    March 23 in Brazil ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    Today, we spent the entire day at Praia Ponta de Campina, a quieter beach about ten kilometers to the north. Secluded beaches, unfortunately, don't exist in this area. The weather was a pleasant 29°C, breezy and mostly overcast, with the sun breaking through the clouds now and then. It was a joy to swim in the clear, turquoise ocean, though at a water temperature of 29°C, it was anything but refreshing. For dinner, we decided to try the restaurant Olho de Lula (eye of the squid) tonight. All our seafood plates turned out to be delicious, and the bottle of Chilean Chardonnay wasn't bad either. Yummy!Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    3rd Floor Ocean ViewPraia Cabo Branco1Serveja AntarcticaRestaurante Gulliver MarCity of João Pessoa

    Sunday at the Beach

    March 22 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    Considering how much we had traveled the day before, we decided to ease into our first day. We started with a late and delicious breakfast, known here as Café da Manhã.

    The beach was lively on this sunny and breezy Sunday. Children were playing in the sand, sailboats and windsurfers dotted the horizon, and vendors moved about offering everything from snacks to souvenirs. The water was wonderfully warm, drawing crowds of people into the surf.

    After stocking up on bottled drinking water, we cooled off with a few beers at a small corner spot. The rest of the afternoon was spent unwinding by the rooftop pool, where the attentive service and friendly hotel staff continued to impress us.

    For the evening, Marli has promised to take us to a nearby restaurant that specializes in octopus, something we are very much looking forward to.    Read more

  • Heinz ImhofBrazil 2026Traveler
    Departure from Dallas DFW Airport
    21Dramatic sunset João Pessoa1Orama Rooftop Restaurant

    Travel Day

    March 20 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    We are all packed and excited to begin our Brazil adventure. Our friendly neighbor Mike dropped us off at DFW Airport this evening, and just like that, the journey was underway.

    This turned out to be our longest air travel experience ever, with a total of 14½ hours in the air plus another 8 hours of waiting time in between. By the time we finally arrived at our hotel in João Pessoa, we were both completely exhausted.

    But then came a magical moment. The sunset, with its dramatic clouds, looked spectacular, almost surreal, like a scene from another world. And just as quickly as the fatigue had set in, it disappeared when we met up with Wally and Marli, who are also staying at the BA’RA Hotel with us this week.

    After such a long day of travel, it was the perfect ending to share a wonderful dinner together at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant.    Read more

    Trip start
    March 20, 2026
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