Ants of Brazil: The Big Head No Butt Ant

There are a lot of different kinds of ants here, so here is the first in the continuing series "Ants of Brazil". I have no idea what kind of ant is pictured here. I saw it crossing the gravel, noticed that it has a huge head and a tiny abdomen, and I thought it looked cool. This one was about the size of a nickel, but it's legs would extend to edges of a quarter.

Week 2: Nipple Tree

Before coming to Brazil, I had done some research on the flora and fauna of the Pantanal, and I read about a tree called the nipple tree, but I could not find a photo. A Google image search did not result in relevant pictures. For those of you searching, this is a nipple tree, and it has fruit the size of cannonballs.

Week 2: Cerrado trail and Useful plants

We hiked along a paved trail that brought us through a part of the gardens that preserved the scrubby plants of the Cerrado. It looked a lot like an area from the desert-side of a mountain in Utah or California, but different. One of the differences are these huge termite/ant mounds. Usually they rise like organic towers from the ground, but they can also be found in trees.

As we entered this trail, there was a series of photographs of Brazilian wildlife: spiders, ants, birds, fish, and snakes. None of which we saw on this trail, but Abby was convinced that because the pictures showed snakes, there were definitely going to be snakes along the trail. I told her that as long as we stayed on the trail, we would probably be safe from snakes. She reluctantly agreed to go on the trail, worried about snakes every step of the way, until we saw the monkeys.

There is also a children's area in the Botanical Gardens that included a raised planters with useful plants. My forehead really could have used some of that aloe after being out in the sun all day on the Brazilian Independence Day.

Week 2: Fiat Doblo

Our second weekend in Brasilia, we rented a miniature minivan. Lillian decided that it was the ugliest car she has ever seen and was totally embarrassed by having to ride in it. It also only had 7 seats, so one of the kids sat on the floor, and a 1.6L engine (not much umph). It also cost about US$300 for a two-day rental. Cars are expensive here.

Week 2: Look, Squirrel!

I have been having trouble getting my kids to look at the camera. So I yelled, "Look, Squirrel!" and they turned for the camera. By the way, I have yet to see any small mammals other than cats, dogs and a the occasional monkeys here in Brasilia. Oh, and a few bats.

The Botanical Gardens has an orchid house, but there were only two orchids in bloom when we visited. The guide noted that this was the last weekend the building was going to open before being shut down for renovation.

One thing I have noticed about Brazilian architecture is that the buildings have an open feel to them and generally and real interaction between the outside and inside of the building. Very few public buildings have enclosed walls, most restaurants extend an awning to create the eating spaces, and even stores open up to the outside rather than use doors.

Week Two: Brasilia Botanical Gardens

Our second weekend in Brasilia, we visited the Botanical Gardens that are just on the outskirts of town. This is a large park that preserves biomes of the Cerrado (pronounced "Say-ha-do"), the name of the savannah-like area used to describe this part of Brazil. I think it looks a lot like west Texas or New Mexico.

This area is currently in the dry season. When we visited, the last time it rained was in May. I am impressed by the amount of green despite the lack of rain. This leaf and seed pod the kids found were from a huge tree not too far from the visitor's center called a Pau-de-Balsamo.

Frog-skin Melon

Part of our adventure here in Brazil includes trying a range of fruits, vegetables and other foods that we have not tasted in the USA. During our first shopping trip to Sam's Club Brasilia, a store very similar in layout to the Sam's Clubs in the USA, but with completely differently products, I found this melon called Melao de Pele de Sapo--a Frog-skin Melon. It has a yellow-undertone with green streaks and wart-like bumps on the rind.

Inside the melon, the flesh is an off-white to a pale yellow with an aroma very similar to honey dew. The seeds are large and white. It was difficult to tell if it was ripe, but I used the same technique I use on cantaloupe that my brother taught me: press on the end that attached to the vine. If it's a bit "soft," it's ripe. I also smell the aroma of the melon. It should give off the odor of sweetness.

The melon was sweet and had the texture similar to a honey-dew. It's definitely worth trying again.