In Brazil, you keep running into these small, unexpectedly charming things. Like a museum that doesn’t stay put, but travels from city to city like a touring circus — except instead of clowns, it brings science experiments along for the ride)
Our first real “getting out of Santos” trip with Eva! The mission: not just to have fun, but to see if it’s even possible to drag a toddler across town without losing our minds.
An interesting place in Santos away from the beaches — especially if you have kids at home, or anyone who enjoys a bit of archaeology. One small catch: Portuguese will definitely help.
Ilha Diana is a tiny fishing village that technically belongs to Santos — but in reality it feels like a completely separate world, sitting on a remote patch of land in the middle of the Diana River.
Panoramic views of the city, a funicular ride, an old church, and just a really lovely place with a lot of history behind it.
I don’t share the usual expat complaints that everything in Brazil is expensive, bad, or impossible to find. In fact, the more Portuguese I learn, the less I feel that way. About 80% of our needs can be met through online shopping.
Renting an apartment in Brazil as a gringo can feel like a full-on quest. Some foreigners find it easy and score a long-term lease right away, but for us, the first year was a rollercoaster of surprises, unexpected rules, and extra paperwork.
In his senior years, Bastian finally ended up in a place where he’s truly appreciated.
A great hiking route through the Atlantic rainforest that ends at a wild beach.
It’s a relatively simple way to confirm your Portuguese skills (although there are even easier ones). The exam is completely free, but the whole process takes quite a long time.