It was a national holiday in Brazil on 21 April (Tuesday) to commemorate the death by hanging of Tiradentes (Joaquim José da Silva Xavier) a member of a movement (inconfidência Mineira) plotting to declare independence from Portugal in 1792.

Although Tiradentes appears in History as the leader of the movement, the fact that he was a junior officer (Lieutenant) and the movement included senior members of the army it poses some questions about the legend of Tiradentes. As is usual in Brazil a “bridge” is built on Monday and most of Brazilians went on holiday from Friday to Tuesday.

I went to Curitiba on Monday to meet my friend Ana Paula, another Angolan roaming the world as a consequence of the turmoil that involved the country after the revolution in Portugal in April 1974.

On Monday night we participated on a competition amongst the Curituba Butecos (pubs) - Comida di Buteco. 20 Butecos around the city presented their signature dishes and the clients were invited to rate not only the quality of the food but also various aspects of the service.

Paula and I selected the Folha Seca (Dry Leaf) Buteco and tried their fabulous Camarão à Paulista empanado com coco (prawns thread onto a skewer and battered with freshly grated coconut). They were delicious and we rated them close to the top for the food and the service. We hope they will win.

The next day we started the day very early driving to Vila Velha (Old Village) situated around 100 km northwest of Curitiba near Ponta Grossa. Considered one of the main attractions of Paraná, this site is home to sandstone formations called Arenitos carved after three hundred million years of rain and wind erosion.

Other attractions are the Furnas (Craters) and the Golden Pond a Furna close to extinction. The Furnas are circular depressions, formed as the sandstone collapsed and water accumulated forming beautiful lakes like water mirrors with an average diameter of 80 m.

The vertical walls reach depths up to 100 meters, filled with water approximately 50 m deep. The Golden Pond is so named because of the golden effect that the solar rays create on the water during some parts of the day and year. We had a great day exploring the Park and even got interviewed by the local TV station.

A Taça (The Cup)

Furnas (Crater)