"The World Cup is the saddest" of Brazilian history
World Cup live closer to the Brazilians and understand what they think ... That is our goal with Emily through this trip to Brazil. We spent a week in Manaus, hosted by our host couchsurfing, Balark, a shop owner. The opportunity to ask her opinion on the World Cup which is controversial in Brazil. Interview May 10, 2014.
- Too many host cities -
"It's an honor to host the World Cup here, and the idea of organizing in Brazil was good in the beginning ... But it would have had to make in terms of our resources, not the requirements of FIFA. Brazil is a huge country. The first error of this world is to have as many host cities selected (12, ed.) It's stupid to take planes for over three hours at the football teams to play matches at the other end of the country, forcing them to adapt to other climates. It would have had to organize the World Cup in a few cities in the south, four or five ... It would cost much less ... "
- Ten times more expensive because of corruption -
"The second mistake was to destroy existing stadiums and build new ones. All that the Brazilian government is building costs ten times more than the actual price, because of corruption. This is not the World Cup in Brazil that displeases us ... This is the cost of the World Cup. "
- No improvement in the country -
"It was a lie to believe that organizing the World Cup would bring improvements in terms of transport infrastructure, education or health ... None of this is happened. Here in Manaus, apart from the new stadium, nothing has changed in seven years. And what will serve this stage after the World Cup? It is much too big for here ... There is very little football in Manaus. It's completely useless ... "
- The saddest Cup World bréslienne history -
"During the previous World Cups, South Africa, Germany, France, three months before, the whole country was decorated with flags, people were impatient. The World was a moment of national unity, Brazilian were proud of their country ... And now, a month before, there is nothing, nobody is happy ... No flag on the street. This is the World Cup the saddest thing I've ever seen. "
- A bad image of the country -
"The World Cup was an opportunity to show the world the positive side of Brazil, our way of life, our enthusiasm, our multicultural society without racism, but instead, we show that we are a country deeply divided, with many social problems, high crime. Over the past year, Brazil exports its problems worldwide. This is sad. It does not show the positive aspects of our beautiful country. "
- Poor preparation -
"Brazil was not well prepared to receive the World Cup. Brazilians do not speak English. The English learning programs funded by the government have not worked. It shows the world that we are not a country that does not know how to plan for the future. Our stadiums are not ready. World Cup takes place in a month, and nothing is ready. "
- Heaven or Hell -
"If Brazil wins, it will be heaven ... But if we lose, it will be hell. I'm afraid of what might happen if Brazil loses early in compétition.Toutes protests and disappointments accumulated will explode. We are afraid of what may happen ... It can happen so much ... Nobody knows. "
Did you like our article 10 countries ignored by tourists? You love wild islands? Read on: these small island developing states are tiny and distant places outside the main tourist paths. Here are the top 10 of those - splendid! - Who are waiting for you. 1 Palau Palau, a small nation of Micronesia, more like a string of large green mushrooms as an archipelago. In any case it evoked their Rock Islands, a group of over 200 islands lush limestone, interspersed with azure waters and fringed with white sand. The place is conveniently discovered by kayak, but if you're tired of paddling, you can always throw you into the water to let you float on top of one of the most beautiful underwater scenery in the world (according to Jacques Cousteau ...). And for an even more singular moment, go snorkeling in the Jellyfish Lake, where millions of these gelatinous creatures - who lost their stinging power - are engaged in a magnificent aquatic ballet. Palau International Airport on the island of Babeldaob, is served from Taipei (4:55), Guam (1 hour 45) and Manila (2:35). 2 Tonga Tonga is not a classic tropical paradise. Certainly, its 170 islands are scattered in a dream on the intense blue of the South Pacific. Sparkling sand beaches are dotted with palms and swim in waters that invite irresistibly to check it. But it is also the last kingdom in this region of the world, where globalization has not quite leveled Polynesian traditions: people still weave mats, wear tupenu (sarongs) and chat while sipping kava (traditional drink made from macerated roots). The islands of Ha'apai is distinguished by its deserted beaches and beautiful snorkeling spots; that of Niuas is even more wonderful and secluded. Vava'u is preferred by humpback whales. Each year they come to breed in its waters, to the delight of visitors. Humpback whales migrate to Tonga in early July about the end of October; the get up close requires strict rules.
Ha'apai, Tonga. pablo_marx
3 Sao Tome and Principe
Located in the center of the world but not in the middle of the road traveler, the islands of Sao Tome and Principe, all close to the equator, form the smallest state, and perhaps the least known of Africa. Owned a chain of extinct volcanoes, they hide in the Gulf of Guinea, west of Gabon - why so few tourists unearth. Those who do are yet amply rewarded: miles of beaches that only tread the fishermen, a hinterland of rainforest covered spot a peak of 2,024 m which can make the climb, turtles and humpback whales frequenting their waters, hotels built in the homes of decrepit colonial plantations crossed a gentle breeze ... The dry season is from June to September, the wet season from October to May; the humpback whales between July and October. 4 Trinidad and Tobago Thousands of birds, steelband orchestras, street food, multiculturalism, rainforest and carnival furious ... This Trinidad. It is the spirit of the Caribbean in all its most exhilarating, authentic, with this peculiarity that the island has barely a few nice stretches of sand instead of real beaches. Here it is not lounging in paradise but rather to live it. In addition, the island of Tobago fills this gap perfectly. The western part has almost pristine shores fringed with palm trees, where tourism remains discreet. In the east, up to lush flora, forests populated alligators and other animals, and a coastline with hidden coves where you feel like shipwrecked. The dry season is from December to May, the rainy season from June to November. The islands are outside the hurricane belt - which nevertheless affect them from time to time.
Beach in Tobago. Colin Campbell
5 Cook Islands
Captain Cook would be proud. The archipelago of 15 islands named after the explorer, which includes some of the most beautiful postcard paradise of the South Pacific, are strikingly beautiful - impossible to remain unmoved by the cerulean blue of the lagoon of Aitutaki. Lost in the middle of an ocean of 165 million km2, not far from the French Polynesia, they could not be more distant. Warning: those who manage to reach them for walks in the jungle, kayaking to a private atoll, or lazy, have a hard time to leave. Air New Zealand offers direct weekly flight from Los Angeles. From French Polynesia, there are one or two flights a week depending on the season with Air Tahiti and Air Rarotonga (2h30 flight).
The Needle, Cook Islands. Airflore
6 Papua New Guinea
The spectacular, steamy and wild landscapes of Papua New Guinea are home to over 190 species of mammals, 650 species of birds, 160 varieties of frogs, and they speak 820 languages. This is simply one of the wildest places, the richest in biodiversity and the most unique in the world. Some ethnic groups live in the Highlands (Papua Wigmen Tari). Do not ignore the coast as far as the reef slopes at dizzying plunge just meters from beautiful beaches depths. Dive sites and snorkeling among the most extraordinary ... The few roads are in poor condition, transportation is a challenge. Domestic flights and organized tours are the easiest solution. Check the security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before leaving. 7 Cape Verde A former Portuguese colony, near the West African and Latin ambiance evoking Brazil, the islands of Cape Verde are unclassifiable. Also difficult to locate on a map, as it is located some 500 km off the coast of Senegal, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Ten in number, they range from striped island of lava Fogo Santo Antao and lush valleys. But the best beaches are those of Boa Vista, an almost entirely sandy island similar to that of the Sahara dunes undulate inside, while a beautiful white sand stretches to the horizon on the windy shores, which attract surfers, windsurfers and kitesufeurs. Boa Vista is an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles; the best time to see them is from June to September.
Santo Antao, Cape Verde. Julien Lagarde
8 Granada
It might just come in this lovely "spice island" of the Caribbean, take up residence in Grand Anse (with a range of 3 km) and let live: the sand is fine, the beach bars are animated, restaurants well stocked with fish, seafood and ice nutmeg. It would be a shame, because the mountainous interior of the island of Wind reserve amount of pools and waterfalls where cool, and the coast of numerous creeks and coves ideal for swimming and snorkeling in peace. To the north, the island of Carriacou, which is reached by ferry, is even more isolated. Its pristine beaches are accessible only by hiking or sailing. African culture, including music - percussion and rhythms of calypso ennivrants - is still very abundant. Up to three daily flights between Grenada and Carriacou; the ferry takes 1 hour 30 minimum. 9 Curious and Aldabra, Seychelles No "list of the most beautiful beaches in the world" omits the Seychelles. This archipelago of 115 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean has it all: abundant coral and fish in crystal clear waters; a deliciously soft sand underfoot; wild and lush hinterland; even coconut sea and famous coco de mer are attractive ... The three main islands (Praslin, La Digue and Mahe) are perfectly beautiful. Yet the curious island and its giant tortoises, is perhaps even more, not to mention the coral atoll of Aldabra. Uninhabited, it is the home of the largest population of giant tortoises in the world, but also the green turtles, sharks, coconut crabs and many other species. The Seychelles International Airport is 8 miles south of Victoria on Mahé. Ferries run regularly between Praslin, La Digue and Mahe.
Beach in the Seychelles. Pixluser 10 St. Vincent-Grenadines etles Calculate your budget well, choose a boat. These are the keys to discover this beautiful chain of islands located in the southeast Caribbean. If you have deep pockets, go private yacht in the beautiful vast green to beautiful St. Vincent Grenadines, small in size, big in charm. Those who do not have the means to make a nabob of hops by ferry. Join people with luggage and poultry ranging from St. Vincent in lively waterfront Bequia, Canouan of fine sand, the rugged Union Island and Mayreau languid; there, the Tobago Cays deserts (where have failed one Jack Sparrow) are emerging nicely to the east. The ferry MV Barracuda and MV Gem Star run regularly between Kingstown (St. Vincent) and the southern Grenadines.
But for now this 1,400m (2,300km) reef, which can be seen from outer space, remains one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Its kaleidoscopic coral shelves are home to an abundance of marine life including turtles, sharks and more than 1,500 species of fish.
An orange-lined triggerfish surveys the Great Barrier Reef treetstreet / Thinkstock
2) Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada
Imbued with beautiful beryl blues, Grenada’s dazzling west coast becomes all the more spectacular when you dip below the waves and discover its sunken art museum.
The Underwater Sculpture Park, featuring installations by Jason deCaires Taylor and Troy Lewis, is located on the seabed and is the first of its kind. Man on a Bike, a life-size gent cycling along a reef, and Ring of Children, a circle of kids holding hands, are among the inspiring artworks that double up as a substrate for marine life.
Ring of Children is just one of a host of seabed sculptures Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park
3) Underwater Museum, Mexico
When hurricanes and tropical storms destroyed reefs in Cancun, Mexico, authorities floated the idea of submerging 500 life-size sculptures onto the seabed to give marine life something to live upon.
In dived British artist, Jason deCaires Taylor, who created an incredible set of statues that range from sunken cars and small houses to bankers burying their heads in the sand. Spread over two sites, both can be reached by snorkelers.
The Underwater Museum doubles up as a substrate Creative Commons / 2il org
4) Belize Barrier Reef, Belize
Charles Darwin described it as “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies,” a statement that still rings true today. Forming part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, this underwater World Heritage Site is home to a cornucopia of marine life, including 500 species of fish and 106 species of coral.
The jewel in its crown, though, is the Great Blue Hole, a large submarine sinkhole that attracts divers and snorkelers from around the world
The Great Blue Hole is a feature of the Belize Barrier Reef Purestock / Thinkstock
5) S S Thistlegorm, Egypt
Sunk by German bombers in 1941, the trains, trucks, armoured vehicles and motorcycles aboard S S Thistlegorm never made it to their intended destination of Alexandra in Egypt.
Instead the vessel was considered lost until local fishermen helped French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau pinpoint its remains near Ras Muhammad in the Red Sea in the 1950s. Now divers can discover the entire ship, including anti-aircraft machine guns and holes left by the bombs, in a single dive.
Fish explore a truck on the sunken S S Thistlegorm Creative Commons / Wilfred Hdez
6) Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
A miracle of Mother Nature, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most diverse marine life on the planet. The archipelago’s unique flora and fauna – Galapagos penguins, Galapagos sharks, marine iguanas and many more – have evolved in isolation from the rest of the world, inspiring Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution there.
For whales and sharks, the best time to visit is between June and September.
Green turtles are part of an all star line-up in Galapagos pkphotoscom / Thinkstock
7) Blue Corner Wall, Palau
With an astounding array of underwater life (think bright sea whips, darting reef sharks, flapping eagle rays, rich coral reefs and schools of pelagic fish), Blue Corner Wall is considered by many as the best dive site in the world.
Just south of the Philippines, this underwater marvel in Palau isn’t for the inexperienced. Strong currents can drag even the strongest swimmer away, so nearly all divers hook themselves into the wall before taking in one of the most breathtaking, below the surface sights known to man.
Abundant marine life makes Blue Corner Wall a joy to dive Michael Stubblefield / Thinkstock
8) Ithaa Restaurant, Maldives
If you’re looking for a seafood restaurant with a difference, Ithaa might be for you. This underwater eatery in the Maldives turns the aquarium theme on its head, exhibiting diners to the local marine life in a transparent dining room.
The first of its kind, Ithaa seats just 14 guests at a time, who can quaff their way through a six-course seafood dinner in full view of nosy – and, presumably, disapproving – fish.
Ithaa Restaurant turns the aquarium theme on its head Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
9) Lake Baikal, Russia
The oldest and deepest (1,700m/5,577ft) freshwater lake in the world, Lake Baikal is home to 20% of the planet’s unfrozen freshwater.
Located in southeast Siberia, its unique freshwater fauna, which includes the famous freshwater seal, has evolved in isolation from the rest of the world, which is why some call it ‘the Galapagos of Russia.’ During winter it is possible to drive across the lake.
Baikal seals are unique to this lake in Siberia jim8080 / Thinkstock
10) Beluga whales, Canada
Every year, between June and August, thousands of beluga whales swim to the shores of Churchill to frolic in the recently melted waters.
Known as ‘sea canaries,’ on account of the strange chirping noises they make, these white whales are a friendly bunch and have become something of a tourist attraction in the Hudson Bay, where they swim with snorkelers and kayakers.
Beluga whales frolic in the icy waters of Hudson Bay Kwok Chan / Thinkstock
11) Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan
Most divers come to Jordan’s Red Sea for its gentle currents, warm waters and colourful coral reefs. But disaster junkies and history buffs arrive in search of something different – sunken military hardware.
An important WWII supply route, these troubled waters saw many ships sink during the conflict. Popular wrecks include the scuttled Cedar Pride and an M40 tank, which sits silently on the seabed.
A diver explores the Gulf of Aqaba's warm waters Jonathan Milnes / Thinkstock
12) Jules Undersea Lodge, USA
Airport transfers take on a new level of difficulty for guests of Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo. Nestled in a mangrove lagoon, some 6.5m (21ft) underwater, this former research laboratory can only be reached by experienced scuba divers.
Rooms are a tad pokey, but guests have the use of showers and a kitchen – a pizza delivery service is also available. If Florida’s marine life isn’t entertaining enough for you, the hotel has a decent collection of film, literature and music.
13) The annual coral spawn, the tropics
Swimming through masses of, what is essentially, coral sperm may not sound like everyone’s idea of fun, but every autumn divers and snorkelers swarm to reefs to witness the annual spawn.
Despite sounding unpleasant, the rare natural spectacle is an incredibly beautiful event, with the coral’s newly released gametes resembling something of an underwater snowstorm as they float toward the surface.
Coral spawn glistens in the light of a torch Creative Commons / Brittanie
14) Florida shark migration, USA
For those suffering with galeophobia (a fear of sharks) news that the largest shark migration in the US happens off the coast of Florida every year may be enough to put them off visiting The Sunshine State.
But for shark and wildlife lovers the winter migration grants a rare opportunity to witness tens of thousands of blacktip sharks up close as the predators make their way south along the Atlantic coast.
Still not convinced? Well, let this reassure you; not one fatal blacktip shark attack has been recorded in Florida since records began.
The migration means onlookers can see timid blacktips up close IPG Gutenberg UK LTD / Thinkstock
15) Sandfalls, Mexico
The kind of phenomenon more suited to a trippy fantasy film than the coast of Cabo in Mexico. The sandfalls are a twist on your traditional waterfall, with strong currents causing sand to slip from underwater coastal shelves down into a deep 120m (400ft) abyss.
Cabo’s sandfalls were originally discovered by the famous diver, Jacques Cousteau, and are home to over 300 species of marine life including barracuda, reef sharks and octopus.
16) Lost city of Heracleion, Egypt
The ancient Egyptian port of Heracleion, founded in 8BC, disappeared under the waves some 1,200 years ago and its existence had long since descended into myth until it was rediscovered in 2000 by archaeologist Frank Goddio.
The underwater city now lies 6.5km (4 miles) off the coast of Aboukir Bay near Alexandria, where archaeologists have discovered the remains of giant religious statues, ancient ships and, most intriguingly, dozens of small limestone sarcophagi believed to have once contained mummified animals.
16-foot stone statues guard the underwater city of Heracleion Global_Pics / Thinkstock
17) Yonaguni monument, Japan
Several intriguing rock formations off the Japanese island of Yonaguni have mystified scholars since their discovery in 1987.
Debate rages over whether these structures, which look like some sort of underwater temple, are man-made or a quirk of nature. Some experts, including Masaaki Kimura, have gone one step further, suggesting the formations are ruins of the lost city of Mu.
A diver weighs up the Yonaguni Monument Creative Commons / Vincent Lou
18) Neptune Memorial Reef, USA
The largest man-made reef ever created, Neptune Memorial in Florida was built as an underwater burial site, where people could have their cremated remains mixed with cement to help create an artificial reef.
However, after a souring of relationships between the creators and the sponsor, the submarine cemetery has been abandoned. Since then nature has reclaimed the site, which is now officially identified as a natural coral reef – albeit one made from dead people.
The reef is made from concrete infused with cremated remains Creative Commons / Todd Murray
19) Underwater post office, Vanuatu
A gimmick that generated much media coverage when it opened earlier this year, this underwater post office is located off the coast of Hideaway Island in Vanuatu – predictably, it is the only one of its kind.
Travellers can don full dive gear or a snorkel and fins to post their waterproof postcards, either at the post box or the manned counter. Admittedly, it does look kind of fun.
The world's most impractical post office is also the most fun PADI
20) The Sardine Run, South Africa
Known as ‘the great underwater migration,’ the spectacular sardine run sees billions of sardines head north along the eastern coast of South Africa every summer.
The sardine shoals, which stretch up to 15km (9 miles) in length, are the star attraction, but dolphins, sharks and seabirds come to spoil the show by feasting on the fish.
The sardine run is a spectacle both above and below water Creative Commons / Angela Huxham
