Recently we went away for the weekend to Visconde de Maua. We enjoyed the cooler temperatures, had a fire in our room, ate a lot of fondue, watched the world cup game with the locals, and most importantly: went on the waterfall waterslide. Best waterslide EVER.
What to tell you about V de Maua... well the scenery is gorgeous, it's quiet and feels super safe, there is plenty to do if you like hiking/waterfalls/the outdoors, the roads are HORRIBLE (windy, bumpy, steep dirt roads with gigantic potholes). It's definitely worth seeing, in fact we'd like to return sometime.
Deciding where to stay having not been there before was also not easy. Now, having been there, I'd stay one of two places: 1) RIGHT beside the waterfall waterslide or 2) within walking distance of the two little towns called which are connected by a footbridge (and or on either side of the Rio-Minas Gerais border). I liked the MG side better. We stayed in the middle of nowhere which was nice and quiet but not exactly convenient, especially with the state of the roads and how much driving was required to go there and see the waterfalls as it was. Here is a map.
Other highlights: our meal at Gosta Com Gosta Comida Mineira in Vila de Visconde de Maua. One of the best Brazilian meals I've had. Reportedly the best Minas food in all of Brazil (and it's not even in MG). The Canadoca also enjoyed herself there and I don't think I've ever seen her eat so much in one sitting... Here's the web site.
Below: Cachoeira Santa Clara
From above the main falls of Santa Clara
Jungle shot
Finally we are at the waterslide: Escorrega
This guy was fun to watch. Here he is going down the slide on his feet.
The full slide.
Here Mr. DRL is getting plunged into the icy cold water. Remember, I'm from Canada. When I say icy cold water, that water is cold. The pressure of the water from the falls pushes you down pretty deep!
We watched the Brazil-Ivory Coast game at this little place. The people were wonderful.
Rachel over at Rachel's Rantings in Rio did a little post "For the Canadians" this week where she mentioned our national love for Homo Milk (as in homogenized or whole milk). We now also love Homo Bikers (see below). Just a couple of little things from the stack of brochures we returned home with...
Some of the many waterfalls you can visit:
Before we visited, I looked through all of our Brazil/S.A. travel books for recommendations/suggestions. Not a one! Didn't even think to crack open our Danusia Barbara or Circuito Elegante books but was flipping through the other day and they both had some, which I'll share:
In the area, Danusia Barbara recommends:
- Babel
- Bistro das Meninas
- Capril Deville
- Capril Maluvito's
- Gosto com Gosto (I also recommend!)
- Pousada Casa Bonita
- Pousada No Caminho do Marimbondo
- Pousada Terra da Luz
- Pousada Terras Altas
- Pousada Tijupa
- Pousada Verde Que Te Quero Ver-Te
- Warabi
Circuito Elegante recommends:
- Rosamarinus
- Champignon
- Serra Fluminense
Agreed! It's a special area, I love the Itatiaia mountains, they even get snow sometimes. My inlaws have a place between Penedo and Visconde de Maua. I've been a few times and it's always a breath of fresh air, they even have a vegetable garden! Coming from the concrete jungle it's such a nice thing. And yes, bring sweaters and coats, once the sun goes down, it's downright chilly! And that ROAD...super-bumpy and slow-goin'...for a long time!
Posted by: Account Deleted | July 13, 2010 at 05:52 PM
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Posted by: Moncler Jakke | March 11, 2012 at 07:57 PM