Why Rio’s Carnival may not be as great as you might think..

The simple answer to the proposition in the title is – don’t have any expectations.

Salvador, one of the most dangerous cities of Brazil?

I feel like what I’m about to write sounds a little shady – hop into my car and I’ll drive you exactly where you need to go.

Hiking through a Diamond Plateau – Chapada Diamantina, Bahia

Bang Bang Bang. It’s 5 in the morning. Police lights are flashing and crowds of people are standing around. Our bus rolls into Lencois and I wake up from my light sleep as the bus jolts to a start. My first thoughts are, ‘Merja, what have I brought us to! Is Lencois actually a poor-ridden suburb ladened with violence and desperation?’

You’re going to feel it coursing within you – Salvador

Before I left for Brazil, a friend told me: ‘The Brazilians have a way with their music. You’re going to feel it coursing within you. You’ll know what I mean when you’re there.’

Today I felt a snippet of what he meant.

Is the Sambadromo worth it?

The first time your parents take you to watch the fireworks, you’re pretty amazed. How can colourful lights explode through the night sky? The first time your parents take you to Christmas light displays, you’re enraptured. The Christmas festivity has arrived. And then when those lights can sync to music.. well that’s just next level delight.

But for the most part what do both these times have in common to your younger self?

Surviving on a Beautiful Island – Fernando De Noronha

Two months ago, me and Dee were zooming into a world map on google maps to find a mere spec in the grand Atlantic Ocean, somewhere close to Brazil, yet on the way to Africa. Two months later we’ve now spent two nights on this island, 10km long and 3.5km wide, Fernando de Noronha.