NZPhotographer Issue 12, October 2018

FEELING THE GRAMADO EFFECT IN BRAZIL
by Brendon Gilchrist
There is a special effect that the Gramado region in
the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil will leave you
feeling if and when you visit…
The small town of Canela and its surrounding area is a
place of natural beauty. It has Bavarian style buildings,
similar to what you would see in parts of Germany,
food that leaves you feeling satisfied no matter what
you eat, friendly locals, and one of Brazil’s top 10
waterfalls: The Caracol.
The Caracol is a 131-meter plunge waterfall located
just 20 minutes from town. It is formed on a basalt
cliff, an old volcanic formation, surrounded in native
forest. It seems like the stream of water is coming out
of the forest, the water dropping down into a lush and
beautiful canyon that seems to go on forever. Vultures
fly around the falls and flocks of parrots chirp as they
circle around the waterfall.
When I was there the rain poured and the water
flowed. Despite not being far from the entrance of
the park, you feel like you are deep in the jungle. It’s
a popular place that attracts the masses, the effect
that nature has on people is quite simply irresistible —
They need their fill of refreshing peace just as much
as I do. I could watch all day and feel happy with
the landscape that surrounds me, knowing that this
waterfall is shaping the land around it, forever flowing,
before my time and long after I am gone.
CANELA CATHEDRAL
This small town is famous for its cathedral de Pedra
and its night lights. It is also called the Cathedral of
stone and was chosen as one the of seven wonders of
Brazil in 2010.
22 NZPhotographer