Exploring the Brazilian Coral Reef Paradise: Costa dos Corais from Recife to Porto de Galinhas, Maragogi, and More
Everyone needs a vacation, even product managers. My wife and I hadn’t had a real vacation in seven years, so we decided to take a 20-day break, with 15 of those days spent exploring the beautiful beaches of Brazil’s northeastern coastline. We usually opt for historic cities with plenty of stories, myths, and science from old empires, but this time we wanted something different. After being cooped up at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were itching for some beach time.
In this post, I’ll give you an overview of the treasures we discovered on our trip to Costa dos Corais.
Coral Reefs: The coral reefs were magical. They serve as a nursery for all kinds of sea creatures, and to see nature in action with its vibrant colors and wildlife was simply amazing. Swimming with the fishes, moving slowly and interacting with them, was like a moving meditation that made us forget the stresses of daily life.
Beaches: The beaches were equally stunning, with calm waters and heated sand. The coral reef acts as a natural barrier for the waves, creating a swimming pool-like environment. The picturesque landscapes of coconut trees swaying in the tropical breeze only added to the feeling of paradise.
Mangroves: The Brazilian mangroves served as a kind of nursery for many sea creatures, such as crabs and sea horses. The landscapes were stunning, too.
Marine Ecosystem: The interactions between fishes, corals, humans, and the sea create a delicate ecosystem that is hard to describe in words. Tourist guides and natives helped us understand this magic of life, and we left with a greater appreciation for the natural world.
History: As nerds, we didn’t expect to learn much about history, but we were pleasantly surprised. We heard about wars between the Netherlands and Portugal, slavery, and the rise and fall of economies. We also learned how technology is transforming agriculture and life in the area.
People: We met lovely people and visited wonderful cities. Despite being alarmed by the crime rates in some cities we visited, we saw no violence, especially in smaller cities where crime was practically non-existent. The people we met were always receptive and eager to help.
Solidarity: We encountered some challenges, but working-class people helped us out when we needed it most, even when they were at work. We were grateful for their kindness and willingness to assist us.
Food: The area’s rich nature provided incredible ingredients, and the seafood was exceptional. Although it wasn’t exactly cheap for us Brazilians, it was definitely worth the price.
Real life: We realized that outside of our bustling city, there is more inequality than we could have imagined. Seeing farm workers cutting sugar cane with scythes under the hot sun to earn a few dollars was shocking, especially when compared to the salaries of those who drive Uber cars with air conditioning in beach cities. It was sobering to realize that the reality in the interior was even worse.
Happiness: Despite these challenges, we encountered many happy people who made our trip even more memorable.
In conclusion, our trip to the Brazilian Coral Reefs was an unforgettable experience. From the magical Coral Reefs to the amazing beaches, mangroves, and marine ecosystem masterclass, we were amazed by the beauty of nature and the interactions that occur in these special places. We also learned a lot about Brazilian, American, and European history, and met wonderful people who were always receptive and willing to help. We were touched by the solidarity of the working-class people who helped us when we were in trouble, and we were impressed by the delicious food and the happiness we found in the midst of the country’s inequality. We hope that our experience has inspired you to explore the Brazilian Coral Reefs and all the treasures they have to offer.
Thank you very much for reading! Please, give me your feedback, subscribe to receive alerts about the next posts, where I will detail the trip and give tips, and please write in the comments any doubts!
This post was writen by Christian Zambra with the help and review of chatGTP, and in another post I will explain all that experience!
