When the spark fades, you go find it — or in our case, you follow the beat of a drumline to the edge of the Amazon.

Olá, tudo bem?

Since I last blogged, I’ve danced through German castles, nursed a divine brunch hangover in Monaco, and wandered into Andorra — that blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fairytale between France and Spain. Meanwhile, the U.S. did what it does best: keep us entertained. But while the world spun and my passport filled, something unexpected happened — my inspiration stalled.

And then, without needing to board a single international flight, Brazil cracked me open again.

Salvador: Where the Streets Pulse and Sequins Outnumber Stars

Jay and I headed north to Salvador, Bahia, and friends — this is not just a city, it’s an exclamation mark.

Carnaval here isn’t a festival. It’s full possession. Over 2.5 million people move together in a rhythmic fever dream: camarotes bursting with music and madness, bodies glistening under the weight of joy and humidity.

The soundtrack? Leo Santana, Ivete Sangalo, Alok… and yes, at one point, the Squid Game anthem blared while fireworks lit up the beach. Somehow, it worked.

✨ Travel Tip for That Layover Life:

Book camarote tickets in advance (we did ours through Carnaval.com) and bring a burner phone or wear a money belt for the love of sequins. The energy is contagious, but so are the pickpockets. Let’s just say the military police and I are now on a first-name basis.

Lençóis Maranhenses: Brazil’s Desert of Miracles

After the glitter storm, we needed silence — and we found it in Lençóis Maranhenses.

Picture it: dunes like powdered sugar stretching to the horizon, cradling impossibly blue lagoons. It’s a contradiction of elements that shouldn’t make sense, but they do — like Beyoncé covering Bon Iver.

We swam, floated, and hiked barefoot under a sky so vast it swallowed sound. The sand squeaked, the wind hummed, and we remembered what peace feels like.

🧭 Layover Life Shortcut:

Fly into São Luís (SLZ) and book a local guide to Barreirinhas. The lagoons are full from June to August, which is peak season.

Anavilhanas Lodge: The Jungle Doesn’t Care About Your Inbox

Then came the grand finale: six days at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, nestled deep in the Amazon along the Rio Negro.

This river doesn’t flow — it lingers. The jungle doesn’t whisper — it hums in surround sound. Time folds into itself out here.

We swam with pink and gray dolphins. We watched a sloth cross a river, late for something important, so naturally, we offered her a lift on a pool noodle. We napped in hammocks. Chased rainstorms. Listened for tapirs. Failed to spot them.

🐾 Magnus Waffles (our dog) stayed home, but we missed him with every monkey screech.

🍽 The Food:

Every meal at Anavilhanas was a showstopper. Think: fish steamed in banana leaves, exotic fruits that sound like spells (jambu! cupuaçu! bacaba!), and dockside caipirinhas made from jungle-fresh limes. The flavors sing.

👀 Wildlife Watch:

Red macaws, boa constrictors, iguanas, caimans, howler monkeys, tarantulas, and one massive Goliath bird-eating spider who now lives rent-free in my nightmares.

Conclusion: You Don’t Have to Go Far to Feel Far Away

Brazil reminded me that awe is a state of mind. You can chase it across continents or find it right in your own (adopted) backyard.

From Carnaval’s chaos to dune serenity to Amazonian wonder, this trip helped Jay and me reconnect with what matters most: each other, our curiosity, and a pink river dolphin or two.

💬 Your Turn!

Have you been to Brazil? What’s your most unforgettable travel moment? Drop it in the comments, or tag me in your next adventure with #ThatLayoverLife.

If you’re dreaming of a jungle escape, I’ve got recs for days. Let’s chat.

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