WORDS OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP FROM TORONTO AFTER A WILD ADVENTURE IN IBITIPOCA

My days off are as rare as water in Gobi Desert, Mongolia....but my work is pure fun and happiness and sometimes it can be consider a great escape from our daily stressed life...but so many research and so many dedication gives you the best prize in the Universe...WONDERFUL FRIENDS.

People that conquer a place in your heart and this place lasts for life!!!

One of them is Sheryl Johnson, my canadian sister with Barbados SPICE in her soul!!!! She has the practical manners of Canada and the sweet and the joy of Caribe. Just latin like me, just PEOPLE'S PERSON like me. My lovely Sheryl who is my friend forever.

You have my love, my dedication and my loyalty...never forget it!!!!

SHERYL WORDS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Definitely off the beaten path, Ibitipoca is a National Park in the province of Lima Durate about 5hrs outside of Rio de Janeiro. If you're up for a little hiking, exploring and seeing some of the most spectacular natural sights untouched. Not an easy hike but so worth the climb to see vistas as far as the eyes can see. No beaches in the distance but mountains, trees, rocks and streams. Wild parrots fly free and cool streams run through rocks, caves and natural rock formations of bridges. Too beautiful to describe but worth the drive, the climb and the sights...all with the expert leadership of Rafa. Rafa made the trip unforgettable from his singing along the drive, to the stop at an amazing bakery to pick up some homemade snacks/chocolates and a light lunch to the best chicken and tuna sandwich (especially when your hungry) at the park just before the hike. We ended the hike driving out of the park, Rafa stopped the car along a dirt road and said 'look up' out the window...a carpet of stars in sky! Too beautiful for words. The milky way, satellites, shooting stars and endless, endless stars as viewed in the southern hemisphere.
Thank you Rafa for this experience off the beaten path...spectacular and unforgettable.

Sheryl Johnson - September 2011

Ibitipoca, more than a destination, it is a reachable dream...Ibitipoca, birth of nature legends, birth of pure nature. It is one of the Paradises on Earth.

Thanks alot for all the friendship and love,

RAFAEL TORRES LOPES

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A PLACE CALLED IBITIPOCA AND A GREAT CANADIAN COMPANIOR - SHERYL JOHNSON

The Story started with a serious challenge!!!! I had a special guest...a guest that wanted something unique. She wished to visit a place that I have never taken any person...and the first question I made: ARE YOU ADVENTUROUS?????

She promtply said: YES!!!!!!!!! :)

Well I simply took the car and chose one place that I am sure you know very well: IBITIPOCA

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHA

L-A-U-G-H-I-N-G O-U-T L-O-U-D !!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH :)

I bet IPITIPOCA is not even popular among brazilians!!!! But I am a traveller and deep researcher about my own country. When Brazil is your office you have to work hard to find all the time unique places for you to show your foreign guests and friends!

The challenge was accepted and we travelled 5 hours north of Rio until reaching the beautiful mountainous lands of Minas Gerais State!!!!

Ibitipoca is one very impressive region of the South of Minas Gerais State, the ecosystem is so unique with several rare speciels that our Government decided to create a STATE PARK, specially because this is the place where we can only find a very interesting kind of WOLF, the so called LOBO GUARÁ - check on google - http://www.google.com.br/search?q=LOBO+GUAR%C3%81&hl=pt-BR&biw=1024&bih=499&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8raRTtHoH6fo0QHx4fEp&ved=0CC8QsAQ

5 hours of beautiful motorways through the mountains of Serra dos Orgãos Range, passing in Petropolis, Juiz de Fora until reaching a charming countryside village of Lima Duarte...a place stopped in past, pace of life so slow that we remember our childhood times when we used to visit our relatives who live faraway!

Believe me, all the effort will be paid when you come across with majestic mountains resembling the mountains of Utah or Nevada....

It is hard to tell what made me happier...Sheryl laughs or the magnificent scenery that we came across every little corner that we found in the trails!!! Here you can see my foot that I love taking pictures everywhere I go. Water springs that suddenly desappear in a cave, sparkling water to satisfy your thirst...fresh water is plenty all the way you go!!!

Well, this not a picture of Taylor Lutner (New Moon) or the mature and nice guy Pierce Brossnan (007) or not even the charming senior Sean Connery...It is just myself having fun like a child in the wildness that simply fascinates me. But this is the kind of place that I am always ready to introduce to you!!!

RAFAEL TORRES LOPES

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A FRIEND OF IBITIPOCA