BRAZIL!!!

Impanema Beach in Rio - voted the world's #1 beach (you can see why!)

As we stepped off our plane in Rio, a rush of warm air hit my face.  It was as if I was instantly transformed into a different state of mind – a different level of energy.  I get the same burst when I arrive in Maui, the noticeable humidity moisturizing my skin and relaxing my mind.  Yet this feeling was much more distinctive than the laid back Aloha vibe of Maui – this was one of pure, unbridled energy that can only be understood by Carioacas (people from Rio) and those who have been there before.  The best I can summarize it is into Brazilian Vitality.

A mission to discover the culture of ACAI - the most incredible food in the world.  (Pictured here as it is served most commonly in Rio, as a cold, refreshing beverage.)

My travel partner and good friend Chris Cuvelier, the president of ZOLA ACAI - the first company to produce a complete Acai juice in the United States (available now at over 7,000 stores coast to coast - check it!)

I will be spending the next 12 days in Brazil with Chris Cuvelier, the president and founder of Zola Acai.  For those of you living with your head in the sand or still subsisting on McDonald’s alone, Acai is an Amazonian superfruit & staple of Brazil that is both super tasty and super good for you.  While we are using the word “super,” it was recently named on Oprah as the world’s #1 new Superfruit.  It is loaded with antioxidants & healthy Omega fatty acids, and combines an exotic berry taste with a hint of chocolate that is simply devine.  I have been a longtime friend with Chris, and am working with him to redevelop the Zola website and document their story through video and images… hence this trip.

On the left, our guide Marcus Werner, pictured here with Chris at a Samba celebration.

Zola Acai can be purchased as a juice (original, + pineapple, + blueberry) or as a new functional smoothie (superfood, antioxidant, energy, and immunity.)

This local kid LOVES his Acai!

We breezed through customs and caught a cab towards our hotel in Leblon, a ritzy beach area in the Southern Zone.  The town is divided into these two sections, the north and south, with the south being much more touristy and developed, but also safe.  Safe is a good thing.  From the road, the dichotomy was apparent – the first twenty minutes of our drive were over expansive favelas (ghetto-like underdeveloped areas… more on this later.)  But soon this gave way to lush green hills filled with tropical fauna, and we zipped under the iconic Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer, a huge stone statue overlooking the city on Corcovado mountain), past the world’s largest soccer stadium, Maracana, around distinctive Sugar Loaf Mountain, and finally to the much acclaimed beach.  Palm trees swayed in the wind as we passed Copacobana (insert song here) and Impamena (insert second song here), finally reaching the Sheraton in Leblon.

Lucky for us, one of Chris’ suppliers had organized a local named Marcus Werner to guide us through Rio and take us wherever we needed to go.  Marcus is a solidly-built 35 year old (his cousin is a Judo gold medalist) with an easy demeanor and contagious smile.  Over the next two days he would guide us through some incredible sights, including the beaches of Barra, Impanema, and Copacabana, through the favelas (not a normal tourist destination), and to an incredible local experience at a Carnival Samba practice (complete blog to come.)

The view from our view at sunrise...

... and the same beach during the day.  Maui ain't got nothin' on this place!

Our first order of business was to wash off 19 hours of travel with a dip in the ocean.  We descended to the beach and were overwhelmed by its white sand and sparkling blue water.  I was swarmed by local children when I pulled out my camera, and spent the next hour getting phenomenal shots of vibrant favela children and local soccer players.  It was a perfect start to the trip, and immediately made me feel that Rio was going to be a place I would never forget.

The Cristo with a little "Hand of God" via photoshop.  (Still a good picture, no?)  This 35 meter tall statue stands watch over the town and has an incredible view.

The amount of detail was incredible.

Local kids posing for the camera...

... and the typical smile of a local kid.  Amazing!

The biggest impression my first day was left by the people of Brazil.  They simply glide along the ground in a graceful procession, with glowing hearts and smiles.  Everyone I met was extremely friendly and there wasn’t a single problem that couldn’t be translated with a thumbs up and a smile… and interesting enough, never once did I hear the word “eempossible.”  More to come soon!

 ~ J. Twice