Ar y Lein
The series
- Programme 1 : Brazil
- Programme 2 : Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands
- Programme 3 : Borneo
- Programme 4 : Singapore and Sumatra
- Programme 5 : Kenya (1)
- Programme 6 : Kenya (2)
- Programme 7 : Uganda
- Programme 8 : Gabon
Programme 1 : Brazil
The journey begins in Belem, a town in Brazil, just in time for the Cirio de Nazaré festival, the largest religious festival in Brazil. About a million people gather here on Sunday for a procession in the streets with a small statue of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré.
It's believed the statue hails from Nazareth and has performed miracles in Portugal during the Middle Ages before it was lost in Brazil. A poor farmer then discovered it in 1700. Following the procession, everyone drink, eat and dance non–stop for two weeks!
According to Bethan, "We managed to get really close to the statue at the beginning, but when the procession began, everyone went crazy, we didn't have any chance of sticking together. I suspected at one time that I would either have to lose my right hand or the spare expensive lens in my left hand."
Bethan's journey across Brazil is overwhelming, and sweaty at times, but one that takes her for a trip on the back of a tame buffalo! She also visits the shanty town of Manaus, where violence against women is a massive problem, and finishes her journey with the Sahu Apé tribe.
Here's Bethan's reaction to the South American country, "It was wonderful – remember to consider the Amazon the next time you're in Brazil – rather than Rio".
View images of Bethan's journey in Brazil