Backpacker in Ouro Preto, a hystorical city that was a important place for the Portuguese Empire, in the XVII and XVIII centuries. Then, a big tea producer, in the beggining of the XX century. Now it's a well known turistic city of Minas Gerais State.
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I was in Ouro Preto for three days, went to main churches and museums, but I explored and liked other sites like the Itacolomi Park and Andorinhas Park, both attractive cause of the nature. The churches had statues and paintings very rich, with some details of gold and made by the best artists. The Museum of Mineralogy is very interesting and full of rocks and tells the importance of miner extraction for the region. The Inconfidence Museum exhibits the history of the first try of the brazilians to get their liberty from the portuguese Empire.
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| Favourite spots: |
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I like nature more than history. So, I enjoyed Andorinhas Park cause of the waterfall, and Itacolomi cause of the hikes I made. Very beautiful and cativating, cause it was a complement for the history of the city. The Houses near Tiradentes Square were very nice, conservated and used with the same architeture of past centuries.
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| What's really great: |
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The visual of Morro dos Cachorros, inside Itacolomi Park, but there's a point called Pico do Itacolomi, that's higher but I didn't go there. I hope I come back there to reach it some day.
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| Sights: |
Pico do Itacolomi(Itacolomi's pike). Is the higher point of Ouro preto region, and a mountain that is viewed by many points of the city. This rock was the reference for the brazilians "bandeirantes" (pioneers) to know the point where the gold was. Minas Gerais state and particularly this city was very explored by their gold, then the other natural resources, as diamonds, iron, cooper, magnesium, lead and other minerals.
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| Accommodations: |
Brumas Hostel, near bus station. The family actually live there and the husband knows some english. There are rooms for couples, 3, 4 and 5 beds. Breakfast included, cards allowed, they ask payment in advance, free kitchen and more in brumashostel.com.br.
The hostel is in a high position so, the view of the city is great. It's the only Youth Hosteling member in the city. Near the historic center but you need to be prepared to walk a lot on the steep streets of ouro preto.
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| Restaurants: |
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You can eat very well, as in other parts of Minas Gerais. The state in the middle of Brazil is well known as a great producer of a tasty menu of food. Near Tiradentes Square there are restaurants but I ate in the hostel so, I can't tell what restaurant is the best.
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| Other recommendations: |
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Morro dos Cachorros(Dog's Hill), Cachoeira das Andorinhas(Andorinhas waterfall)
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Published on Saturday March 8th, 2008
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Thu, Mar 13 2008 - 04:46 AM
 by downundergal
| Good effort although a little sparse on info. |
Tue, Mar 11 2008 - 10:35 AM
by rangutan
| Nice first report and some useful info & tips. Short, like my reports :-) |
Sun, Mar 09 2008 - 11:25 AM
 by marianne
| An interesting report and very nice photos. Maybe you could more info in the sights section and some detail about the hostel. Was it good, comfortable etc This would make it easier for fellow travellers to decide whether they would like to stay there. |
Sat, Mar 08 2008 - 03:25 AM
by bootlegga
| More info would be great. You have some nice pics though. |
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