The Day I Entered Brazil Illegally and Got Denied Entry to Guyana

It all started after my 6-day trek to Mount Roraima.

We arrived back in the border town of Santa Elena at 3pm, and I was contemplating to stay for another night or head back to Brazil, where I was before.

I was in the office of the tour agency, and Hairim, one of the staff, offered to drive me to the border. Should I rest here in Venezuela where everything was cheaper, or find an expensive place to stay in non-touristy Boa Vista?

Hmm decisions, decisions.

Leticia-Tabatinga Border: Crossing from Colombia into Brazil

Regional flights in South America are ridiculously expensive.

Especially when compared to South East Asia, where I come from.

Thus, I had to look for an alternative way to get from Colombia to the north of Brazil, where I intend to cross the border into Venezuela.

Thankfully, I found out that Colombia and Brazil are connected by 2 neighbouring towns located in the Amazonas: Leticia and Tabatinga.

The cheaper alternative to get from Colombia to Brazil (and vice versa) is to take a domestic flight, cross the border, then fly (or cruise/ride) in Brazil. Here is a quick guide.

Fairytale Gramado: Is This Brazil?

It was noon when I arrived. The sun was shining radiantly, but it wasn’t hot. On the contrary, it felt cool on this bright summer day.

As I walked along the streets decorated with colourful flowers on both sides and flanked by buildings that look as if they came out of a fairytale – think white bricks, brown wooden logs, triangular roofs – I couldn’t help but think to myself: “Is this Brazil?”

Photogenic Paraty: Of Cobblestone Streets and Waterfalls

“Relax your neck. Keep your arms together. 1, 2, 3, go!”

The next 10 seconds were a blur. My world turned upside down. I was spinning on my back.

“Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. I’m gonna die!”

The combined force of Alex (my tour guide) and the young, jacked local sent me water-sliding down the huge rock-waterfall, Cachoeira do Tobaga.

Yes, a waterfall. And yes, sliding down.

Splash! The next thing I knew, I was completely submerged.

After 10 days of chaos, madness and frenetic pace of Carnaval in Rio, I seek peace and quiet at the coastal town of Paraty (pronounced pa-ra-chee), south of Rio de Janeiro. Ironically, the exhilaration from sliding down Cachoeira do Tobaga was the highlight of my trip.

Morro Dois Irmaos: The Best View of Rio de Janeiro?

I took off my shirt, draped it over my shoulder, and continued up the mountain – local style. It wasn’t a difficult climb, but the weather was humid, and I was drenched in sweat.

40 minutes later, the forest thinned, the sun reappeared and I was rewarded for my climb.

The landscape of Rio de Janeiro in all its glory.

You’ve seen it on the postcards:

The perpetual blue sea against the white sandy beaches, the heart-shaped pond at the base of the Sugarloaf Mountain, the tiny little houses sandwiched among the tall skyscrapers, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer alone atop a hill.

Chances are: you’ve seen this breath-taking landscape with a bird’s eye perspective, up on the Dois Irmaos (Two Brothers) mountain.

Pedra do Telegrafo: The Most Instagram-Worthy Rock

“That’s dangerous!”

“It could be your last photo!”

“That is life-risking!”

Those are some of the comments I’ve received after posting photos of myself hanging on the edge of the cliff, Pedra do Telegrafo (Telegraph Rock).

People love to jump to conclusions. I find it highly amusing.

Even though I believe we should all push the limits of our comfort zones, do you really think I’d do something as life-threatening as that, just for a photo?

Hiking Corcovado: Seeking Christ the Reedmer on the Mountaintop

Keep fvcking going.

That’s what I tell myself every time I meet with a challenge.

That’s what I told myself when I hiked up Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It was only day 3 of my South America trip and I’m already drenched in sweat and panting heavily. It wasn’t hot, as the path was covered by trees, but man, Brazil is as humid as sunny little Singapore.

I was totally unprepared. I severely underestimated the hike up Corcovado.