For the IKO ( International Kiteboarding Organization ) instructor course I spent a week flying in Soma Bay in Egypt on the Red Sea.

The course was held at the Surf Station Surf tornado instead, which is run by the Swiss Sabine and Felix.
Generally, the course was quite labor intensive, but the crew of IKO and Turnadosurf has the time there as comfortable as possible and there still remained some time to free surf and scuba diving. (From time to time to make party).

Here are some first impressions: (more photos in online album )

From Soma Bay

Sabine and Felix in the Office

From Soma Bay

our ship, including Captain

From Soma Bay

the German kite champion Sabrina Lutz was on board

From Soma Bay

The station

From Soma Bay

And a little video of our first trainer Max

Back in the office and access to the computer again, I do not yet posted to the ability to upload material.

Jericoacoara at Club Ventos, water sports are offered very versatile, standup paddle surfing, among other things (SEA) in the mangroves. I had to cut a small contribution:

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I leave Rio with Alex, a boy from Bermuda. On the way to Sao Paolo, we want to visit some interesting places on the Costa Verde. The southern coast of Brazil is known for its unspoiled rainforest (Mata Atlantica) and the beautiful beaches. Our first goal is Ilha Grande, an unspoiled island legally.
To our sorrow, we must realize, however, that many many Traveler have the same idea and are looking locals here after Mardi Gras recovery. So the place is filled, and quite difficult to find accommodation and expensive.
Looking for something and a little luck, we can do a modest apartment with beautiful views found in the middle of the jungle. The island is blessed with countless expensive Lichen evening walks to waterfalls, natural pools and beaches.
We stay two nights, however, decide to move soon to continue with the hope of better more peaceful place.
The next stop is Paraty, a historical port city surrounded by the beautiful beaches of Brazil, the travel bible Lonely Planet.
Unfortunately, this again is full of backpackers hostels and we have to look far to find a reasonable accommodation will be, but find it. Fortunately, however, most people are lazy and looking for more party, chill out and shopping and just pull off the most interested to really explore the area.
Early (well for a party-infested Bermudianer) we head into the surrounding jungle. We take the bus to Penha of breathtaking cascades with a natural water slide.

From Brazil

The local Young Painters perform crazy stuns here and surf down the smooth rock hard standing.

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We walk around a bit. Run by a lovely Italian woman and a native, we climb over rope bridges and waterfalls and reach remote islands of the idyll, where meditation and gurus show nature-loving fathers to their sons glowing frogs.

From Brazil

But we want to spend the day and go back again soon to change the bus and dart into the hippy place Trindade. It is late afternoon, we are focused and short walk along the beaches. Passing by beach huts and hideaways like a picture book. Huge forest trees, whose roots and dangling vines will climb the moss hung from the branches to describe the way to a natural swimming pool where it is teeming with colorful fish and corals. Even here the water has a temperature of 30 degrees.

From Brazil

Back to the place we are from Argentina and his friend in the aluminum boat battered. He tells us of a waterfall just around the corner.
Along a narrow fades, we encounter huge flowers and large land crabs, dig the common pitfalls in the ground.
Soon we discover a Rasta it on a large tree trunk, which is fallen across the river, has been furnished. I climb up to him with the intention to ask him about the waterfall, but he speaks little English, invites us, but directly with him to smoke a Splif.
He was a member of a reggae band and was toured around a lot. The waterfall is located 30 minutes walk by the way, we learn and decide just before the dawn prefer not to go further.
In the intoxication of the senses and the noise of us we enjoy the moment when a huge yellow-blue butterfly fluttered past us.
Unfortunately, we often forget in these moments that you have a camera with me ...

From Brazil

after a night full of music and dancing, I was still a little groggy in the bunk bed of the hostels, came in as a person and said, "someone has booked the favela tour?" Still half in Never Land, I shook my head, even the next dream trip fixing.
As pictures of "City of God", "Sim Nombre" and "Black Hawk Down" were happening in front of me, a voice said to me "what are you waiting for?"
I jumped up without thinking about it and asked the front desk if there was a court would be free.
So I went with sweaty party shirt, hangover and an empty camera (made too many pictures at the party) in the car on the way into the slum.

On the edge of the ghetto every rose on a motorcycle taxi and was taken exactly at the center of the Hexenkessels.
They showed us the apartments, we went on roofs, tasted local dishes, and saw a garbage concert attended graffiti artists.
Actually, the favelas are like small cities with their own enormous economic power. Only one thing missing: the government, there is no regulatory agency rules, no garbage collection or other facilities, the infrastructure. Everything is done by the residents themselves. (Definitely an advantage to the spider web-like tangle) Thus, there is no tax collector.
The situation in the Brazilian slums has changed in recent years. There are fewer weapons, drugs and gang warfare, but the overall situation is not exactly made it better:
Former military special forces and police have the support (and money) the government established a special police, the BOPE, whose goal is the slums to "clean up". Without any rules they are pushing into the districts and make quick work. Arms dealers and drug barons are made by heart, by extortion, and torture and umgenietet easy. I may have deserved, could justify it, but among them are often innocent people or children.
I sat down with a local law student talk and learn that everyone knows about but rather the government protects the rich taxpayers as uneducated drug addicts. This is called the BOPE even bureaucratic freedoms. The victim must not be documented large, the Bäute will retain a large part (probably divided among corrupt politicians) and search permissions ... I think that word exists there at all.
But the worst was yet mentioned at all. The lawyer told me that the BOPE now the role of government and further assumes the costs incurred by these wars, as well as electricity and water costs one-rubbing of the inhabitants of the slums.
Were the poorest of the poor before that badly off, they are probably right now in the ass.

A bad situation is reported from. I still like to want to hear from official sources because one does not quite fit into the picture: the flat screens in many homes and iPhones in the hands of dirty children.

Here is a Artickel it.

The carnival is almost over. I found a website with fantastic impressions.

Carnival 2012 Focus
The pictures do not overdo it was really great, one of the ladies I've even met in person

My first day in Rio, I was honestly a little differently, although I must admit that I've planned zero.
For the time in Rio for Carnival, I've decided to stay in my hostel, which means the 10 times the price but also quick and easy access to additional price tag. 200 reais, the night when I think about it is still far too much (usually 20). So I wanted to also use any service that is offered to be picked up as the airport. Despite several emails from, but none came. So I was forced to spend money but for the bus. (As a replacement but I was offered a Wegbring service, just stupid that the bus terminal for the onward journey is just around the corner)
Well then to explore the city, I decided to foot through the mountainous district of Santa Teresa to walk to get a first overview of the city. For me the sun hovered before a trip to the Sugar Loaf.
So I got up. Through the hot bustle of the sprawling city. From the Arcos da Lapa, the famous ancient bridge of similar Aquaduckt tram rails always follow up to the mountains above the town. The cobblestone streets are 200 years old, and wind through the historic Santa Teresa Virtel which is famous for its lush gardens and magnificent views. (I knew the attraction of the film from Pixar RIO).

Of old castles and mansions, hopping Kaputziner I saw monkeys in the flowering trees around. Could always get back views of the glittering city in the south and the brown favelas in the north of the city.

From Brazil

When I was almost up I found a little pub called "Mike's house." On closer inspection I saw that truth-Steiner and wheat beer was offered and after a further view was apparent that there was a German bar. Since I already had a long drink good beer, no more (the Brazilian beer is very thin and pale) and I was so fit to crown the great ascent, I chose an expensive imported beer to sip from the barrel. The pub seemed to come a bit in the years wieß, but to love for detail.
A man jumped into the bar phoning around when I was enjoying my beer. I could hear that he spoke in German and spoke about a visit to Germany. He obviously true of the owners. (And presumably he was called Mike ...) When I wanted to pay, I asked him casually if he was looking forward to a cold home. "No, but the bride is waiting there for me." He replied.
Pleased to serve a countryman, he asked me directly to another beer. "Come on, we drink a beer together, now have nothing to do anyway," he whispered.
So en we sat in the "beer garden" at the narrow street and talked with a fine beer.
For 18 years he has lived in Rio. Used to be a successful businessman, he then walked out because he was plagued by the desire. (I would later find out that this was not the only reason.) We talked about life settings, the differences between the countries, difficulties with the authorities, the cops, the gangs in the favelas, Women and the mafia. It was formed an image of a seedy fellows. But a funny kind of gave me an open sympathy and trust.
Until I decided to pay and move on (I still wanted to Sugarloaf), passed a good time and a few beers. But then it started to rain and I stayed for another beer, sit under the awning. His colleague Ralf joined with us and served with another evening dear. The next attempt to break it rained again, more violently than before. So we sat and quickly forgot the time. "The ol mound has not run away" I thought to myself, and decided the social round of the day as an attraction to see. Both gave me good tips for trips and events. Safety warnings about Coca Cabana and street parties.
When it was dark Mike got up and pointed me to come with him. We walked a few yards up the road and behind a 3 storey house offered an outlook on the bright city lights. I had almost forgotten that I actually came up here because of the outlook. Direckt at the foot of the mountain was the Sambadrome, where take place in a few days would be the biggest party in Brazil. From here you could see with binoculars, the best Specktakel.
Eventually I realized that I was already beaten for 5 hours at Mike and Ralf and now decided yet again to put his ass on the move and look around for food and the way home. After a surprisingly cordial farewell, I promised to come back and still reeled in a good boat, the ski back down.

From Brazil

If you hit the mark of someone to Rio. Mike's house would be a good bet for a good break with a good beer.
Thank you Mike!

06th February, we left Jeri and make our way north.
Brazil finally discover something more than the beaches of caipirinha-Jeri.
At 7, we check out and get into a pickup truck packed with people, mostly locals, and 3 French. Until Camocin it always goes along the beach. We board a mini bus is so packed with passengers, that place was NOT pleasant. The driver had to fall between the legs of a young woman to turn to. Unfortunately I could not make out whether he sometimes missed it.
Once in Panaiba we did find a decent accommodation easy, but could get no useful information on tours to the jungle delta. Somehow, we were also puzzled because we took up the wrong places from the Lonely Planet.
When we pay attention to encouraging the next morning a new trial, we met the three Frenchmen who were just on the way to such a trip. They offered to join us, because it certainly was then favorable to them. And so we set out on a night tour of the swamps Lichen expensive. Iguanas, monkeys, small villages on remote islands with the best, authentic PF (mixed dishes) we had ever eaten, and varied trips on a boat and a canoe made it a memorable experience.
In the evening we were advised to try the local crab dishes. With hammers we zerklopften crusty marsh crabs and got a huge Krabbenomlett served. So great that we could roll back to bed only dinamic.
The days of Pierre and Ben were all very happy and offer adventurous and often humid.

From Brazil

The last evening in Fortaleza, we are even in the pre-carnival run - by accident.
Unfortunately, both are now back in the cold damp Germany and I must now write without a laptop with my phone to the blog. (Therefore ignored again for a while, the error caused by T9).
Before I open the next post about Rio, I must still declare that the last video of the buggy tour is working again. For video, it will not likely for now.
But do not worry, I'm with the camera and in front of Carnival and Bekini girls to film.
After Rio WORKS for me then continue south to Sao Paulo from there back to jet to Berlin.
But until then, the endless summer is long and hot.

Before I leave Jeri me visit my brother Ben and Pierre. Of course I have my work currently being completed and some planned activities. Besides hiking clip, buggy trips and sunsets, especially parties!

Thus, we make three gringos alemaes the area unsafe and us a lasting name. So we have the first caipirinha Marathon pulled in Jeri. Brief explanation: On the beach, mix all the evening light Coctailstände little different drinks, but especially caipirinhas. The idea was to stand any one caipirinha drink. Normally the process are about 15 stalls but we have been looking for a Friday and then found ourselves faced with 22 stalls. In effect, we have been 12 stalls.

From Brazil

Here are some pictures: (click on it if it comes to their album where you can see more pictures)

To the last Neumoond around, I'm friends with a few by downwinder Guriu after surfing. For the return transfer we have previously booked a buggy. However, the floods have come faster (and especially higher) than expected.

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These buggies are just about the madness. Why I'm not such a thing?

Once a month the new moon to the tide rises so high in Jeri, that is behind the dune, a small lagoon. Trying to perfect new tricks. I got my camera time given to Joris and finally get a little video of myself.

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