LIB'S LABYRINTH: Brazil

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Brazil

BRAZIL
is the fifth largest country in the world - only Russia, Canada, China and the United States are greater in area. The country contains much of the greatest continuous rainforest in the world.

Three weeks before my departure date of October 2nd to Brazil, I went with traveling companion Luz to the Brazilian consulate in Chicago. It took us 3 days to get our visas: we were late on the first day (visa application from 9:00 am to 11:00 am) - we did not have the USPS money order for $160 application fee so we return the second day, including all the necessary documents and Brazil itinerary. The consulate does not accept cashier check and credit card. After a week, third day, we picked up our visas. Visa is good for 10 years.

Tuesday, October 2 From Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (the best airport in the whole USA), we boarded Copa Airlines (Continental United Airlines and an Star Alliance member) to Rio de Janeiro with an hour stopover in Panama.

Upon arrival at the Rio International Airport which was being reconstructed for the 2016 Summer Olympics, we were met by our friendly Portuguese-speaking driver.

Wednesday, October 3 After a good breakfast at Windsor Martinique Hotel, we went on a whole day Jeep Tour of the four wonders: Sugar Loaf, Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer Statue), Botanical Garden, and Forest. Posing for a photo before boarding the cable car. http://youtu.be/Yrc7XJOvK5E

At the Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer with His open arms calling visitors to prayers. Pope John Paul II visited Brazil in 1980 and Queen Elizabeth II also. There was no elevator until the 1990s so they had to climb and walk the steps. Christ facing Sugar Loaf and the bay. http://youtu.be/lqfp5AzJLLY

There were seven of us in the Jeep Tour - Honeymooners Harjit & Raj, Selim & Alexandra from London, England, a lady from south of Brazil. We all had a delicious lunch at the Prado Restaurant.