World ExpeditionsBig Adventures. Small Footprint.https://assets.worldexpeditions.com/BlogOn the Couch with Fernanda de Paulahttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/2263/on-the-couch-with-fernanda-de-paulaCommunityMon, 16 Mar 2015 01:13:40 GMT<h2><img class="responsiveImageLimited" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Fernanda_de_Paula-original.jpg" alt="Fernanda de Paula"></h2> <p class="textred">Fernanda de Paula is a television presenter, producer, journalist and author who is passionate about her homeland of Brazil — the rich food culture, the passion for life and the magnificent scenery. Fernanda has recently co-developed, produced and presented the SBS series “This is Brazil!” and presented nightly “The World Cup Show” during the FIFA 2014 World Cup coverage.</p> <p>We sat down with Fernanda to ask her about Brazil’s best kept secrets, how to spend an unforgettable day in Rio and her pick of the country’s finest beaches and restaurants.</p> <p><strong>1.    In your opinion, what are the top 3 “must-dos” on a visit to Brazil?</strong></p> <p>So many things are crossing my mind, but here we go:</p> <ul> <li>Watching the sunset at Ipanema Beach. It’s something you have to experience to be able to fully appreciate how awesome it is!</li> <li>Walking through the old cobbled streets in historical town in Salvador and grabbing a street food snack called Acarajé, a delicious deep fried prawn sandwich.</li> <li>And finally, going for a river swim when it’s raining in the Amazon forest (there are daily afternoon showers) is one of the best things I’ve ever done!</li> </ul> <p><strong>2.    Do you support a local soccer (or football!) team?</strong></p> <p>Yes, I do. I support the best team in the country! It’s called Cruzeiro and it’s from my home state of Minas Gerais.</p> <p><strong>3.    If you had only one day in Rio de Janeiro… where would you go and what would you do?</strong></p> <p>I would start the day standing with locals at a local bakery counter having a coffee with cheese bread balls. Then I would head to Ipanema beach to enjoy the morning. At lunchtime I would go to the atmospheric and bohemian suburb of Santa Tereza. Then back to Ipanema - I love shopping in Rio and few streets behind the beach is shop paradise!</p> <p>Later in the afternoon I would head to a bar or public square, whenever I can find musicians playing samba. Nothing like a dance and a cold beer to recharge the energy. I would end the night at a churrascaria to taste the mouth-watering Brazilian barbecue!<br> <img class="responsiveImageLimited" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Salvador-_Brazil-original.jpg" alt="Rio de Janeiro by night"><strong><br> 4<strong>.    I am sure there are many - but what is Brazil’s best kept secret?</strong></strong></p> <p>If you think Churrasco (Brazilian barbecue) is delicious, wait till you try Amazonian river fish on the barbecue. It’s unbelievable! There are over 2000 species of fish to choose from.</p> <div> <p><strong>5.    What do you think travellers will find surprising when they visit Brazil for the first time?</strong></p> <p>I think Brazil is a place that visitors find hard to get their head around. The contrasts are in your face and you can’t help but notice them everywhere.</p> <p>When you’re travelling in Brazil it feels like you’re visiting many countries. The people, the landscapes even the weather… it all varies with the regions.</p> <p>I think travellers may also not realise how cosmopolitan the cities are, and that Brazil is one of the most multicultural nations on the planet. So there is not a Brazilian look as such – pretty much anyone could look like a Brazilian!</p> <p><strong>6.    What are you most looking forward to on your trip to Brazil with WE in August?</strong></p> <p>I can’t wait to see travellers falling in love with the places, people and sounds that I treasure so much. I know it will happen and I am so proud and excited to share this experience.</p> <div> <p><strong><img class="responsiveImageLimited" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Rio_de_Janeiro_at_night-original.jpg" alt="Rio de Janeiro">7.    Tough question, but where’s the best place to head out to in Rio for a great meal?<br> </strong><br> Rio has some great restaurants. I would not miss the chance of going to a Churrascaria (restaurants that specialize in Brazilian barbecue); it’s truly amazing. The variety, the flavours, the portion sizes! And the bohemian suburb of Santa Tereza has some incredible restaurants serving the best native ingredients; we will definitely go there on my trip in August.</p> <p><strong>8.    To samba or not to samba – what does a novice need to know?</strong></p> <p>To samba, for sure! Trust me, it’s so easy to dance samba. There is no secret, anyone can do the steps and I have no modesty in saying that I’m a great samba teacher.</p> <p>The tricky bit is the way we move our bodies, I think you have to be Brazilian to do it. It’s in our DNA. So while anyone can samba, I think it’s easy to spot who’s Brazilian and who’s not!</p> <p><strong>9.    What’s the strangest animal you have come across in the Amazon or the Pantanal?</strong></p> <p>Piranhas. They are weird creatures. Ferocious and so damn ugly! I would be terrified to swim in a river with them.</p> <p><strong>10.    Best beach in Brazil?</strong><strong><img class="responsiveImageLimited" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Flight_of_the_Blue_Macaws-_Pantanal-original.jpg" alt="Macaws"></strong></p> <p>It’s very hard to pick one when you have a coastline like Brazil. There is a place called Pontal do Coruripe, in the northeast state of Alagoas that I think it’s spectacular. And there is Prainha, a small beach in Rio that is just gorgeous.</p> <p><strong>11.    For a bit of local competition… Bondi or Copacabana – what’s the difference!?</strong></p> <p>Hmmm…Can’t choose one over the other. The key difference is the beach culture. In Australia you go to the beach to play sports, go for a swim and maybe read a book. Over there you do all of this plus much more, because in Brazil the beach is a social event in it’s own right.</p> <p>You just need bring yourself and the rest will follow. Pick a spot and soon a chair; umbrella and drinks will come to you. There is music and people walking up and down… It’s one of the few places where people from all walks of life meet; it’s bubbling and it’s a haven for people watching.<br> <strong><br> SEE BRAZIL WITH FERNANDA</strong></p> <p>This year Fernanda will be escorting an exciting new trip with World Expeditions - <a title="My Brazil with Fernanda de Paula" href="https://secure.worldexpeditions.com/au/index.php?section=trips&id=2821325" target="_blank">'My Brazil' with Fernanda de Paula</a>.</p> <p>Departing on 13 August 2015, this 18 day itinerary is your chance to experience this fascinating and diverse country through Fernanda's eyes. Don't miss out!</p> <p> </p> </div> </div> 2263