Beaches of Rio

BEACH, BABY, BEACH!
Friday, October 5  I took a morning shot of Copacabana Beach from the top floor of our hotel after our usual breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, cereals, all kinds of juices, and fruits - papaya, pineapple (sweet), cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes and kiwi.  The beach was a block away from the hotel.  Outside the building, we met Ralph, a fellow Filipino, who was sent by his company to Rio to do some computer programming for a month. Oi!  http://youtu.be/RQwUHixcAoU

 Fish vendors selling fresh fish and shrimps - good to grill!

We got thirsty as we walked the long sandy beach to Ipanema Beach.  I was told the day before by our guide Anderson that the Girl from Ipanema (popular 60s song) is now 59 years old. Luz bought 2 coconuts for R$5 each.

Copacabana Night Video  http://youtu.be/5MmsEO0532A

Inside Sofitel Hotel, Jozie de Almeida of H.Stern, a Rio de Janeiro-based gem and jewelry company, showed us the display of aquamarines (my gem stone), amethysts, citrines and tourmalines.  Brazil is white hot!  Luz wanted the imperial topaz but no can do when it comes to the price.

A street juggler performing while cars and bikes are at the stop sign

 Burned and overcooked fried shrimps.



Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO CITY TOUR
Thursday, October 4  After the usual breakfast, we asked the helpful receptionist at the hotel for directions to downtown Rio.  The Metro Ipanema/General Osorio station was just a block away from the hotel and then get off at Cinelandia. We paid R$ 7 for the train ticket.

Rio's National Theatre

The National Museum of Fine Arts - Free

Bought T-shirts and souvenirs in the market place.

 The Metropolitan Cathedral

 The Aqueduct of Santa Tereza

http://youtu.be/rS_dCVCULfg

The area where poor folks live up on the mountainside is called the "Favela."  Ronaldi, the popular Brazilian soccer player was born and raised at the Favela.  There's a 3-hour Favela Tour for R$95.

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.

 Botanical Garden   http://youtu.be/cVGsNEzsTUA

Guide Anderson Anders telling us about the trees in the garden

 The oldest tree in the garden

Forest of Rio   http://youtu.be/h2N47YPoVyw

Journey to South America

EVERYDAY IS A JOURNEY, SHORT OR LONG.

Another journey begins tomorrow, October 2, 2012, for this world traveler.  I'll be traveling with Luz, my college classmate, to the South American countries of Brazil, Argentina, and Peru.

I'm hoping for a safe and fun journey.  Of course, to be amazed with the natural, cultural, and historical wonders of South America.  May I add, talking with the folks and just having a good time.