Boa Noite, Brazil!

On our last day in Brazil, the intrepid travelers shared their thoughts on the trip:

Scott and Kelly added: “Biggest thanks to Doni for his awesome hospitality, organization, and safety awareness. We have never met anyone like him – he is one of a kind!

Scott and Kelly Firlus

Saturday, March 15,  2008

Stewardship surprises . . .

One of our biggest adventures, we would have to agree, was our visit to the sugar cane fields of Irmaos Torniello. It is amazing to discover what a labor-intensive industry this still is. It was amazing to see how nearly 20 people worked together to plant new sugar cane plants, tossing the cane directly where it would be planted, cutting the cane precisely where it needed to be cut, and then laid in the ground to provide optimal growth.

This all amazed us, but then we went to the base of the farm where the sugar cane is used to make ethanol to power all needs for this farm – they have no energy costs to run their farm. The incredible meal that they provided us (the same they feed the sugar cane workers) was one of the best we had!

Of course, one of the greatest disappointments would have to be our three days in the Rio/Angra dos Reis area. It happened to fall in this area’s rainy season – and it held true; it rained all three days! Hard to get much beach time under an umbrella!

Carl’s big chest-puffer was walking over to the Case IH 2399 combine and taking the driver’s seat to join the other 10 or so combines harvesting on this nearly 100 hectare field of ripened soybeans belonging to Agro Amazonia. Our enjoyment came from seeing this, but also from the faces of the 50 or so other workers in their various jobs as their heads all turned when this pale-skinned American took the controls – almost as if he were right at home!

The unexpected, very treacherous, three and a half hour trip to get to this farm was not only discouraging, but brought home the very real trip these semi drivers make to get their precious cargo where it needs to go on a daily basis. On this trip, with continuous foot-deep potholes in the blacktop – our van driver was very skilled at missing them – we saw at least three separate incidents where drivers weren’t so lucky.

This ranged from a minor fender-bender to a grain-filled semi that had run off the road, colliding with a one and a half-foot diameter tree (luckily for him, or he would have taken a cliff ride) to the most serious: a head-on collision between semis, causing our van to be stuck on a hill with miles of Portuguese-speaking folks! Thank goodness some spoke English, and we also had our interpreter, Doni.

Carl Miller and Barb Weiland

Saturday, March 15,  2008

Shopping in Angra dos Reis . . .

The resort is absolutely beautiful! There is a maze of clear blue swimming pools beside a sandy beach with a boat launch. The hotel has a spa and all-you-can-eat meals. It even backs up to a nature preserve -- and this morning, Barb and Carl saw a monkey on their balcony!  

It rained all morning, so we decided to take a cab into the city of Angra dos Reis to do a little souvenir shopping. The mall was neat -- it had its own marina, and the center of the shopping center was open to the sky (and the rain!). Everyone found something -- t-shirts, jewelry, gifts, and little reminders of their great experience here in Brazil.  

Andrea Klosterman

Saturday, March 15,  2008  

A three hour tour . . .

The area of Angra dos Reis has 365 islands -- one for each day of the year! -- and over 2,000 beaches. Unfortunately, it's raining on every one of them. That didn't stop us from seeking a little adventure, though, and we chartered a boat to take us island hopping. We chose a three hour tour, and I don't think any of us would've been too upset to get stranded on any of the beautiful islands we passed.  

When the ride got a little rough, we pulled into dock on a small island with a gift shop, a pretty beach, a nature path, and a great cafe. A little shopping, a little exploring, and a few drinks later, we were ready to head back to the hotel for lunch and a little relaxation. I'll be sorry to say goodbye to this place tomorrow!

Andrea Klosterman

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Rio, the Sugar Loaf and Red Sand Beach . . .

Today we traveled to Rio de Janeiro. We were met by our tour guide, Phillipe. We went to see Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain -- one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. What a beautiful statue! And what a view -- 360 degrees of Rio.

We ate lunch at Copacobana and saw more of the city. We visited the Sugar Loaf (a famous mountain with a cable car connecting it to the Urca mountain) and Red Sand Beach. Then we were off to Angra dos Reis. Before parting ways with our tour guide, we asked why he decided to learn to speak English. His answer: So he could understand his favorite group, Iron Maiden.

We arrived at Sol Melia -- time for some rest!

Scott and Kelly Firlus

Thursday, March 13, 2008

A traffic jam and a "goodbye" dinner . . .

On the return trip, we noticed traffic slowing, and then stopping. Unlike the US, where people in a traffic jam stay in their cars, people were out walking around and talking to each other, or sitting in the road. We got out of the van and heard word that two trucks had collided head-on about 7 km. up the road. While waiting for the road to be cleared, we spent time talking to a busload of English-speaking university students and listening to the cry of some unknown animal out in the surrounding jungle. While we worried that something was going to come out and eat us while we stood around in the road, our guide from DuPont, Doni, told us that it wasn’t a jaguar or crazed monkey, but just a very small pond-dwelling reptile. Eventually, the road cleared, and we made it off to dinner and back to the hotel uneventfully.

At a fantastic French restaurant we enjoyed a great “last supper” with Keith Jones of Croplife International and Doni, who will be staying behind tomorrow as the group moves on to Rio de Janeiro. We will greatly miss their humor, assistance, knowledge, and the five phrases we heard Doni say a thousand times in the last four days:

1. “About one hour.” (the length of time it apparently takes to go anywhere in Brazil)
2. “Fasten seatbelts!”
3. “Where’s Raymond?”
4. “Is it necessary?”
5. “Let’s go!”

Go on we will, to a tour of Rio and three days at a beautiful ocean resort in Angra dos Reis.

Andrea Klosterman

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Stewardship shows at Agro Amazonia . . .

Today we had the opportunity to tour Agro Amazonia with Roberto Motta. Agro Amazonia was the 2006 World of Respect winner. After a scenic drive on some not-so-good roads we arrived in Primivara. The staff gave us a tour of the branch, including the warehouse, which was very neat, clean, and organized. Roberto gave an overview of the company. We then went to the fields. At this time, soybeans are being harvested. The field we visited had eleven combines running – all Case except for one lone John Deere. Carl was very excited when he was able to drive one and combine some beans. The farm we visited is the largest in Brazil – 300,000 Ha (750,000 acres) of soybeans, cotton, and corn.

Scott and Kelly Firlus

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Team tours Torniello sugar farm

Today was very exciting! We visited Irmaos Torniello Ltda, which is a 12,000 Ha sugar cane farm and mill. We were lucky to see sugar cane being planted by hand. Fernando Prati, agronomist, and Fabio Torniello, agronomist and fourth generation owner, gave us a tour of the fields and mill. At this particular mill they produce alcohol. Harvest is from May through November. They also have show cattle and field cattle -- very friendly, with big ears. We were treated to lunch in the employee dining room. Our hosts were very generous and we learned a great deal about a fascinating area of agriculture.

Our flight from Ribiero Preto to Sao Paulo to Cuiaba was very nice. Lots of snacks and drinks at no charge! We arrived in Cuiaba and met Roberto Motta from Agro Amazonia, where we will be visiting tomorrow. We were treated to dinner at a restaurant which serves fish from the area rivers and Amazon -- 10 different kinds, including pacu, pintado, and alligator. The food was excellent, and Roberto was very good to explain what each one was.

Scott and Kelly Firlus

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Where the rubber meets the ... orange trees?

Our first order of the day was a wonderful tour of Coopercitrus’ warehouse, store, credit facility, and experimental crop area. The company has a test site with a training station where students get an environmental education, learn to plant seedlings, and reforest the land. One grove of root stock was Chinese mandarins, which Coopercitrus is showing growers is a good option in Brazil. A second grove of larger trees was a plant density experiment started in 1984, proving that high-density plants provide better yield. After 15 harvests analyzed from it, it’s now a demonstration plot where growers can learn to cut, fertilize, and otherwise work with the trees.

An hour drive then took us to Camuhy, a 14,124 hectare (Ha) farm containing oranges, coffee, rubber, and about 4,000 Ha of natural forest. We got a close-up look at – and taste of! -- fresh coffee berries; watched liquid rubber flow from trees into collection receptacles; and learned what it takes to drip-irrigate hundreds to thousands of Ha of trees and plants.

We enjoyed fresh-squeezed orange juice at Coopercitrus and coffee from the fine beans at the Camuhy plantation, with locally grown sugar, if that was your preference. Wonderful! It was hot walking the fields, but a beautiful and very interesting day!

Andrea Klosterman

Monday, March 10, 2008

Sugarcane, bananas, and citrus - oh my!

We finally met Andrea at the airport and met up with Doni, our host from DuPont Brazil. Glad to have someone who speaks both English and Portuguese! We drove through the paper production area, and then through the sugarcane and citrus of the Campinas region, where we saw groves of bananas, grapes, and orange trees, along with acres of sugarcane. Lunch was great – ate the rest of the cow-on-a-spit, along with a pig and lots of Brazilian drinks.

Arrived in Bebedouro City and met Jair Guessi from Coopercitrus. We were treated to an outstanding reception dinner at Coopercitrus, the 2007 World of Respect winners. They were very warm and welcoming. Great food (not on a spit)! Having a great time. Wish you were here. P.S. Is it still snowing back at home?

Scott and Kelly Firlus

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Bom dia, Brasil! We Arrive!

It is sunny and warm with a threat of rain. After 10 ½ hours on a plane, the feel of the ground is wonderful. The landscape is very green and Sao Paulo seems to rise from the hills. As we made our way to Alphaville, motorcycles zoom between cars and trucks with what seems like no concern for safety.

We arrived at the hotel at 1 pm, and after a little rest (and a shower!) went to Embu das Artes. It was an art and craft fair and 15th century church. Our driver, Freddy, took us on a driving tour of Sao Paulo, which included a stop at the Sao Paulo Futbol Centre where the professional soccer team plays. It was like the Lambeau Field of Brazil, minus the memorials to Brett Favre. Dinner was wonderful -- we went to a Churrascaria, where they bring skewer after skewer of beef, lamb, pork, chicken, fish --we ate the whole cow-on-a-spit! Brazilians are very welcoming and helpful.

Scott and Kelly Firlus

Saturday, March 8, 2008