Rio de Janeiro Daily Photo

Homeland

2012-01-07T00:00:00.000-02:00

It´s been almost 34 years and it is on my birth certificate, but every time I come to Ipanema Beach, my first thought is to wonder - Is this really where I should call home? How can you be so naturally beautiful? Is all of this really in the middle of a city...

A mall with a view..

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-02:00

On Monday I had lunch with some old college friends (it´s been 12 years) at Botafogo Praia Shopping and unfortunately i´ve never been able to be at this balcony with clear skies! It is still a great meeting point, though, since there is great transportation to all parts of town.

http://www.botafogopraiashopping.com.br/

...and the rescue

2012-01-05T00:00:00.000-02:00

For those to refused not to enter the waters... Just hoping this fantastic service continues!

The warning...

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-02:00

Unfortunately not very respected, that the waves were too strong today...

New Year´s stage

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-02:00

While beach was done for me and i was leaving at 4pm, the final arrangements were being done for one (of many!) Barra New Year´s Celebrations on Dec 31

Hello 2012...

2012-01-02T07:04:00.000-02:00

No fireworks for us since we were at a small dinner with friends, but here is Jan 1´s main headline not only because of fireworks: The celebrations of the pic happened in a newly "pacified" slum, Rocinha, which also happened to be the largest slum; the caption says that they had the view (privileged) of 2 different fireworks gathering: at Lagoa and at Copacabana... That this year may bring them the well-deserved peace...

Recreio `balsa`

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-02:00

I´m still getting used to it, but now we either have to endure a 20 min walk to go to the beach under the tropical sun or take the boat though the lakes to get to the shore. Relaxing and perfect for kids - and the boys are always looking for alligators... i still havent seen one yet, but i´ll show you if i do...

Clean is not on the eyes of the beholder

2011-12-29T08:02:00.000-02:00

Recreio beach yesterday, the closest beach to our apartment now, was actually the only beach considered not polluted in the area. Still, the algae gave a not very welcoming impression... I didn´t get in the water but our boys didn´t seem to care. The beach was still crowded though. I haven´t been to that many beaches around the world since I prefer to stay in the cities for I grew up near the beach and always want to see something different when i travel, but was thinking during my stroll how this is a carioca experience... It´s not for the blue waters, it´s not for the sun, beach is a carioca thing since it´s about the joy of being together...

Still wishing we had more flags around the city..

2011-12-28T09:08:00.000-02:00

For years I´ve seen this volleyball court with the flag announcing a ìt´s-too-hot-to-practice-now`break....

Ipanema beach´s gym for all is back!

2011-12-27T09:04:00.000-02:00

I was very excited to see that the beach gym is back! Why did it take so long!! It is still in the are which is the `showcase of Rio`, although i have personal issues with highly touristsy stuff i also would like to think all of Rio is like this... some 10 yrs ago the gym was here for a summer, and i was there often not only because i was megabroke but also because is there a better incentive to workout than this amazing view?

Not 130 degrees!:)

2011-12-26T08:54:00.000-02:00

But it feels like that!:)

@ Ipanema Beach, around posto 10

Rio 2016 Countdown

2011-12-25T08:43:00.000-02:00

The cow parade´s excitement for the upcoming Olympics... @ Ipanema Beach, posto 9

A carioca thing

2011-12-24T08:38:00.000-02:00

It´s useless... Every time i come to Ipanema i promise to myself i won´t spend too much money... But our beach towels (`cangas`) only get cuter and cuter... I´ve got the 3rd and 6th from the bottom, and i am about to get the 2 first ones from the bottom... Ok what a useless post:)

btw they are 20 reais - around 10 dollars...

Solar power

2011-12-23T08:30:00.000-02:00

It is with great joy that i found this solar powered shower at Ipanema Beach. As a citizen, and environmentally conscious and passionate engineer, and a just-about-everything-enthusiast, i was thrilled to see we have these now... They haven´t been around for long, and even if the efficiency of photovoltaics is still around 10-15%¨, we have enough sun to power many! The weather we had this week is living proof:)

Portuguese Pavement

2011-12-22T08:24:00.000-02:00

Living in Rio it´s easy to ignore the beauty of these pavements... It´s just there, it has always been there, we don´t consider its true expression of art, and highly useful art... This one is the landmark of Ipanema, taken yesterday at Av. Vieira Souto...
They can also be found in Portugal and Macau, our Chinese `brothers`:) thanks, wikipedia!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_pavement

My California..

2011-12-21T12:15:00.001-02:00

I was already losing hope that yesterday would be a cloudy day only and i wouldn´t see the amazing Ipanema sunset... I was waiting for the bus and when i realized the sun was there to say hello to me and in an awesome way... i ran from the bus stop to take these pics... and no i didn´t miss the bus:)

Leme Beach Series, Part 8 - Leme kiosk

2011-09-03T23:00:00.000-03:00

Much improvement has been done to Rio's kiosks lately... Go Rio 2016!:)

Leme Beach Series, Part 7 - Night Stroll

2011-09-03T09:47:00.000-03:00

Enjoying the weather and the crowd near Leme's station #1...

Leme Beach Series, Part 6 - Churros

2011-08-20T22:16:00.000-03:00

"A churro, sometimes referred to as a Spanish doughnut, is a fried-dough pastry-based snack, sometimes made from potato dough, that originated in Spain. Churros are also popular in Latin America, France, Portugal, Morocco, the United States, Australia, and Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands." (From Wikipedia)

This was all news to me. I had no idea it originated in Spain, all i know is that for years it smelled like end of class snack after high school, while waiting for my granddad to pick me up... Sometimes while watching the frequent summer rains in Rio, or watching the other kids play with never ending energy, it was my constant companion during my childhood.

Leme Beach Series, Part 5 - Work it out...

2011-08-14T02:09:00.000-03:00

"Gym for all" near Leme Stone...

Leme Beach Series - Part 4

2011-08-13T02:12:00.002-03:00

My Rio de Janeiro,
By Paulo Coelho

“It is hard for a man to make any city worthy of such surroundings as nature has given to Rio.”—James Bryce.

Rio is a city where people live within their own limits, afraid of street violence, but not afraid of singing in the streets. Where the smooth sea pats the rugged mountain to show that life, like nature, is full of contrasts. A city where the sidewalks on its main beach are made of black and white stones, of darkness and light. A city where men and women come in all colors and in all creeds, and never argue because of that—but are constantly killing each other for worthless things, like the best samba song or the best soccer team. A city where 11.5 million people can dwell on top of each other, and the extreme poverty exists side by side with the most ostentatious wealth, and it is all part of daily life. A city able to teach each of its citizens the importance of one of William Blake’s Proverbs of Hell: "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." A city where midway points do not exist, where forests are found downtown, and high rises are in the suburbs. A city with love and hatred. Where mayors come and go and are not able to destroy the city, no matter how hard they try. A city where the glory of the past is today’s madness and also the hope for the future.

A city where the real quality of life lies in the fact that it is difficult, tense, harsh, funny, crazy, unbearable, unforgettable. A city that can be called a city, politically incorrect and deliciously treacherous. A city where sea waves create one of its limits, and the mountains take charge of spreading its structures along the coast as a line, because it simply refuses to grow in the boring circular way of all other cities.

If you find another city with all of this, please let me know. But I know only the city of Rio de Janeiro, and that’s the reason why, for the moment, I will stay here.

Rio. The real thing.

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/rio-de-janeiro-essay/

Leme Beach Series - Especially for Jimmy!

2011-08-12T04:54:00.002-03:00

To Jimmy and all who love my city as much as I do: This is a sunset sequence in a wonderfully lazy Sunday afternoon, in the area between Copacabana and Leme, heading to Leme Stone. I was alone that day, but, still, I wasn't lonely. I never felt lonely here...

See you all tomorrow;)

Leme Beach series, Part 2 - Too hot? Cool off...

2011-03-20T15:22:00.000-03:00

Leme Beach series, Part 1 - Leme Beach and me

2011-03-19T00:32:00.001-03:00

I will start a series of pics about Leme Beach, since this is where I have always felt at home...
Here I am, watching an amazing sunset....

Carioca Classics, Parts 2 and 3: Brigadeiro and Guarana...

2011-03-16T21:41:00.001-03:00

We were at this kid's party the other day where I could indulge myself on the Brazilian national soda, guarana (tastes like ginger ale/cherry, i think), and the wonderful chocolate snack...

Just like the ones I have at home...

2011-03-14T23:42:00.001-03:00

My nephew watching airplanes depart @ Rio International Airport.

Always so good to return home...

2011-03-12T14:54:00.001-03:00

Forests, forests, forests, plains, swamps, mountains, then finally... Rio:)

By the way, I love them all...

Please, sun, come back...

2011-03-11T09:04:00.000-03:00

Cariocas do not like cloudy days... nor rainy days... But I can enjoy the trendy Ipanema beach in any kind of weather...

Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro

2011-03-10T22:58:00.001-03:00

Municipal Theater, Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, built in 1909, downtown Rio. Today it is home to the Petrobras and the Brazilian Symphonic Orchestras. I have never been there, but hopefully someday...
PS: Sorry, the pic is not all that great, but I was inside the bus, and when you're in downtown Rio, you don't want to miss your bus... neither a good shot:)

Wishing we had more flags around the city...

2011-03-09T11:09:00.001-03:00

First pic: Aterro do Flamengo , Second: Leme (@ Princesa Isabel and Atlantica Avenue)

Keep it up

2011-03-08T14:53:00.003-03:00

Lone jogger on Barra beach, around 6 pm...

Countdown to Rock in Rio 4...

2011-03-07T07:05:00.003-03:00

Rock in Rio 4 will be held on September 23rd, 24th, 25th and 30th, and October 1-2nd, 2011,

bands confirmed so far: Angra, Capital Inicial, Claudia Leitte, Coheed and Cambria, Coldplay, Elton John, Katy Perry, Metallica, Motorhead, NX Zero, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rihanna, Sepultura, Skank, Slipknot, Snow Patrol, Stone Sour.

Cangas, anyone?

2011-03-06T10:28:00.003-03:00

These men work hard, under the 40C (100F) sun... selling the very carioca "cangas", very light beach towels. (Pic taken at Leme Beach) I'm sure they're sold everywhere in the world, but can you beat the price? 15 reais, around 10 dollars for the towels and 30 reais, around 17 dollars for the dresses...

Of course i "had" to buy the dress... I bought the first one, right there:)

Carioca classics, Part I - Acai and coxinha

2011-03-05T14:47:00.003-03:00

For those who never tasted it, I know, I know... Acai doesn't look very appealing... But those who have tried it know what I'm talking about... I love this thing!! Acai is a northern Brazilian fruit that became very popular on the 90's as an energy drink... it's very popular, from the gym-goers to the trivial cariocas... The coxinha, "little chicken thigh" is a non-greasy shredded chicken snack...

Give them a try one day and you'll know what I'm talking about...

A carioca Santa Claus...

2008-12-19T00:03:00.003-02:00

... promoting the grocery store "Zona Sul", at Jardim Botanico neighborhood. He is probably the only one getting a tan, since we are not getting any recently with this cloudy weather...

Rio time lapse video - December 2008

2008-12-12T20:26:00.003-02:00

Quick ride from Barra da Tijuca to Leblon... Sao Conrado, Gavea and Rocinha in between...

Welcome to the marvelous city!!

2008-12-12T19:46:00.004-02:00

Inside Rio de janeiro International Airport: Passport control, same old same old, Ronaldinho's endorsement of cell phone carrier Oi ("Hello"), Sign greeting us to this fabulous city...

Casa Shopping ad

2007-06-03T23:25:00.001-03:00

This was a billboard for Casa Shopping, a mall in the west zone of Rio. Corcovado statue, the Maracana (biggest soccer stadium in the world), Gavea Stone, Copacabana Beach sidewalk, and the MAM (Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro)

A dangerous career

2007-05-31T00:02:00.000-03:00

Cops in Rio... You know, besides all the stories we hear on TV, I can tell you that yes, there is crime, blah blah blah, but the city is definitely worth the visit.

Biscoito Globo!

2007-05-30T23:23:00.000-03:00

A Brazilian phenomenon (seriously!), a classic snack in my city.

Wow...

2007-05-29T00:35:00.001-03:00

Picanha!

2007-05-28T18:20:00.001-03:00

A very typical Brazilian dish... Everyone's got to try it when they visit Rio... Picanha is considered the best part of the cow, with a delicious flavor. It's widely found in all-you-can-eat steakhouses ("Churrascaria Rodizio").

Red Beach and Sugar Loaf

2007-05-27T00:06:00.001-03:00

Downtown Rio

2007-05-23T00:44:00.001-03:00

Situated just by the Guanabara bay... I took this picture while driving through the Rio-Niteroi bridge. Given the circumstances, I guess it turned out pretty good

Oh, Gavea Stone...

2007-05-22T04:49:00.001-03:00

Driving west towards Barra da Tijuca neighborhood...

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

2007-05-21T01:15:00.000-03:00

Best place to chill out on a Sunday afternoon...

Average winter temperature in Rio

2007-05-18T00:00:00.001-03:00

Perfect for me... Sometimes it's warmer than during the summer :)

Broken hill

2007-05-17T23:54:00.001-03:00

West Zone of Rio

2007-04-25T10:30:00.000-03:00

Last picture taken on the same day, while rushing to the airport... Unfortunately, the picture is a little blurred, however, through blogger's thumbnail picture, it shouldn't look that bad. If you're driving from downtown Rio to the South Zone (Zona Sul), more than likely you'll take this path with breathless views (the opposite direction, of course).

Oh yes... and that day I missed my flight to the US due to the terrible traffic downtown and northbound at 7pm.... As a punishment, 3 more days in Rio... U-hu!! :)

Sugar Loaf - Rushing to the Airport

2007-04-25T10:28:00.000-03:00

Another picture taken while going to the airport in the same day... I love the motion effect on the picture.. It's funny how if I didn't know I was leaving maybe I wouldn't be taking so many cool pictures during that day, making the best of every minute...

2007-04-25T10:26:00.000-03:00

Sugar Loaf

2007-04-25T10:21:00.000-03:00

I took this picture while being driven from my home in the Botafogo neighborhood to the International Airport of Rio... I was quite in a rush, as you can see... This road takes us through Guanabara bay til downtown and to the north of the city. To the left, if you look closer you'll see a yellow cab having a technical malfunction...

Fluminense Soccer Club

2007-04-23T02:24:00.000-03:00

This is the training field at Fluminense Soccer Club, founded in the early 20th century, located in the neighborhood of Laranjeiras. Fluminense is one of the major soccer clubs of my city, it has won many championships, and it is very popular among the young of the south side portion of Rio.
The term "Fluminense" can also be used as a term for natives of the state of Rio de Janeiro (as Aline mentioned earlier, "Cariocas" are those born in the city of Rio - both of us, for example :))
On the other pictures, a look at their trophies, from previous days of glory, and two pictures at Fluminense ballroom - a beautiful stainglass wall

Agua de coco

2007-04-19T23:34:00.000-03:00

My favorite drink... I love the price too...

Closer and Closer

2007-04-18T23:18:00.000-03:00

Same beach, just in a different day... Zooming in at Leme Beach early in the morning, while waiting for the rest of my beach volleyball team to arrive... Why should I oversleep if I would miss all this?

On the background, Gavea Stone (I am a fan) and Two Brothers Mountain

Overcast Leme Beach

2007-04-18T00:52:00.001-03:00

Leme Beach, on a cloudy, quiet day...

Leme Beach Flowers

2007-04-09T16:07:00.000-03:00

I really like this picture. As I was leaving Leme Beach (Copacabana's sister beach) one day, I spotted those beautiful yellow hibiscus flowers on the ground, as if they were looking at me , wanting me to take their picture... Of course I took several, and everytime i am there again, I still see them... still looking at me in the same position :)

Corcovado Hill - View from the top - Part 5

2007-04-08T22:11:00.000-03:00

Downtown Rio skyline... Guanabara Bay and Rio-Niteroi bridge connecting my city to Niteroi. In a previous post, Line showed the view from her desk at work, a beautiful view to the same bay and bridge.

Corcovado Hill - View from the top - Part 4

2007-04-07T00:06:00.000-03:00

Right beside Lagoa, the area of Botafogo, where I was born and spent most of my life. It's getting very messy over the years, but I will aways feel home here...
Across the hill, the neighborhood of Copacabana and Copacabana beach.

Corcovado Hill - View from the top - Part 3

2007-04-06T02:15:00.000-03:00

The lake is our Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, or simply "Lagoa". The neighborhood in its surroundings, also called "Lagoa", is the perfect place to relax in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Rio. Lagoa is like our "Central Park", and hosts countless activities at any time of the day or night. I hope to post some more Lagoa pics in the near future so you'll see what's going on down there.
The lane around Lagoa is about 7km. Unless it's raining hard, during the day we usually walk, jog, bike, enjoy the free workout facilities, go rowing, or just sit and enjoy some refreshing coconut water. At night, bars, restaurants and dance clubs by the water make it even more special.
Lagoa hosts helicopter sightseeing tours that will show you the city. I have always wanted to try it but considered US$100 for a 10 min ride a rip-off if converted to Brazilian Reais :)). However, after I started posting these pictures and reviewing these beauties I might change my mind :)

Corcovado Hill - View from the top - Part 2

2007-04-05T14:29:00.000-03:00

View from the right side of the statue, showing the areas of Leblon and Jardin Botanico, part of the "South Side".

Leblon has a special place in my heart... It's not as busy as Ipanema but still maintains the trendy aspects and the charm of the Rio de Janeiro from the Bossa Nova years. It's where the church I've been to for years is located, and also where I got married... ;)

"Leblon has a romantic history. It was an area of difficult access, and it was once used as a hiding place for runaway slaves. The land originally belonged to Frenchman Charles Le Blond.
Leblon started to grow with Ipanema, when a streetcar line connected them to the rest of the city.
Upper Leblon (Alto Leblon) is almost strictly residential. This hilly area on the West side of Leblon is a favorite spot for Rio's rich and famous. Lower Leblon (Baixo Leblon) is the bohemian side of the neighborhood, and it ruled nightlife in the 70's and 80's. A stop for a pizza or beer was almost mandatory after a night of fun - some restaurants and bars remain open until way past 4 a.m. Stop and sit for a while to watch the pedestrians passing by, and maybe you will understand why Cariocas have a permanent love affair with Leblon."

Thanks, http://www.ipanema.com!

Corcovado hill - View from the top - Part 1

2007-04-04T00:39:00.000-03:00

Samba do Avião
Tom Jobim

"Minha alma canta
Vejo o Rio de Janeiro
Estou morrendo de saudades
Rio, seu mar Praia sem fim
Rio, você foi feito prá mim
Cristo Redentor, braços abertos sobre a Guanabara
Este samba é só porque
Rio, eu gosto de você
A morena vai sambar
Seu corpo todo balançar
Rio de sol, de céu, de mar
Dentro de um minuto estaremos no Galeão
Este samba é só porque
Rio, eu gosto de você
A morena vai sambar
Seu corpo todo balançar
Aperte o cinto, vamos chegar
Água brilhando, olha a pista chegando
E vamos nós
Aterrar..."

Yesterday's post inspired me to show you a series of pictures taken during my last visit to Corcovado. I am not sure if I captured the 360 degree view but it was pretty close, starting from the statue's right side. I am still learning how to use this blog, I would really like to have added a link to this great Tom Jobim song...

Corcovado... As seen from my bedroom window :)

2007-04-03T04:36:00.000-03:00

The "Cristo Redentor" (Christ the Redemeer) statue stands on top of the Corcovado hill, and it is certainly one of the symbols of my city. It can be seen from most South Side (Zona Sul) neighborhoods, from really far distances. The hill is about 710 meters tall, and the statue 30 meters tall. It can be most easily accessed by the Corcovado Railway. Or you could take a chance and WALK as I did with a group of friends about 10 years ago. It took us about 6 hours to get to the top... :) Well, times were different then, I am not sure if you can (or want to) do this anymore....
It offers an unforgettable 360 degree view of the city of Rio, and you'll definetely take many postcard photos there. We are all tourists when we get there, it does not matter how long we have lived in this city...There are a few restaurants and gift shops at the top, but not enough though.
The statue is about 70 years old now, some say it was a gift from the French; but I hear that there was a French engineer working there at the time, and that it was an entirely Brazilian project. We are just so glad we have it!

Glauce

Rio... Simply...Stunning!

2007-04-02T15:51:00.000-03:00

Hello guys!
My name is Glauce, and from now on, I will be posting on this blog as well. Just like Aline, I am a carioca simply madly in love with my hometown... Hope our pictures speak for themselves and help you all understand why once you visit Rio, you simply want to stay for the rest of your life!! :)

Anyway, this is a stunning sunset I captured while at Sugar Loaf. It shows Gavea Stone at the west of Rio's "Zona Sul". Gavea Stone is where, if you're adventurous, you could go for a thrilling hangliding afternoon, but if you're lazy like me, you'll just sit and enjoy the view of one of the most admired cities in the world... For real!!

Enjoy! :))

Happy New Year!!!!!

2007-01-01T23:07:00.000-02:00

O Globo newspaper

O Globo newspaper

That is our New Year's Eve fireworks show on Copacabana Beach. It's just wonderful! This time we had 16 minutes of show and 24,3 ton of fireworks were used. I wasn't there this year but it's unforgettable to be there; i felt like in a movie. There were millons of people on the beach, it's a huge event.

On Ipanema we had The Black Eyed Peas concert for everybody who was on the beach. Considering the parties to celebrate the beggining of 2007, it's gonna be a great year!

Ps.: These pictures aren't mine either; i quit on taking my own for a while so that i can keep showing you my city. I'm too slow on that, hope you don't mind. :)

X-mas is coming

2006-11-30T09:32:00.000-02:00

Today is the last day of november and we get closer to christmas every day.
One of my favorite things about christmas in Rio is this huge xmas tree we are gifted with every year. Since 1996 Bradesco, a brazilian bank, gives us this beautiful floating tree to make our december even more beautiful. It's placed on Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the heart of the south zone of the city and one of the most expensive places to live inRio.

The tree gets bigger and more beautiful every year and this saturday (dec 2nd) a 82 m high structure of 2,8 milion microlamps and 500 ton of weight will be lit up. This picture was taken by O Globo news durig the tests made yeasterday; you can see how big it is comparing the people in the picture with it. There is a party every year to celebrate the tree and everybody likes to go there to watch it.

If you come to Rio in december, don't miss it. The tree will be there until the end of january, i think. There are dozens of bars and restaurants around the lagoon where you can drink and eat at night while watching this guiness awarded beautiful thing. I'll be there and take some pictures for my on. Show you later.

xxx

Sad end

2006-07-03T14:22:00.000-03:00

"Hey, will you give us a ride?"

It's been a sad city and a sad country after saturday game. Disappointed is the best word. First thing in the morning was to through away all the flags we had here in the office. I get angry every time i see anything green and yellow.

No more world cup talking.

World Cup

2006-06-29T10:01:00.000-03:00

Unfortunately, it's not a stadium. I really wish I were in Germany to watch the games but I had no money left after my last acquisition (i'll show you later). So I had to to count on brazilians' hability to make everything a big party to have a good time during the games.

This is what is happening every Brazil's game day in the place you usually hear of as a basic touristic point in Rio: Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf in English). And I was there!!

The place was totally full with 1.500 people watching the game together. Really exciting! This has been the best game so far and we've already won Ghana last Tuesday.

This saturday will be our chance to beat France and show them who is the best.

Many thanks

2006-05-24T08:34:00.000-03:00

Sorry for not having any pictures for you but i'd like to thank you all for the warming welcomes and to ask you not to quit coming. :)

Actually, Joe, the light in my pictures is different because i take them with my cell phone. I almost quit posting because I thought you wouldn’t like it but I’ll insist a little longer. It means my pictures are not gonna be so good but i'll try not to disappoint you anyway. ;)

Anne and Michael I didn’t know I had blocked them… Hope you keep teaching me how to use this… And Mike did you like the city? Where did you stay?

Though I have no pictures, let me tell you a little more about Rio.

It’s an ugly rainy day here today. Cariocas are not used to cold and rain so it’s funny to see everybody in coats every time temperature falls lower than 20ºC. I’ll try to steal my boyfriend’s camera and show you how the summer city looks like in autumn. Don’t give up on me guys!

What's out there

2006-05-07T23:30:00.000-03:00

This is the view i have from my table at work. It's an example of one of the things that fascinate me about Rio: we are always in touch with nature. There are trees everywhere and you don’t have to go far to be in the middle of the forest.

This bay in the picture is Guanabara Bay. The Portuguese discovered Brazil in 1500. One year later they came back with another expedition to know better the new lands they had found. One of the first places they discovered was this bay. They first thought it was a river and, as it was January, they named the place January River – in Portuguese, Rio de Janeiro.

This bridge you see is Presidente Costa e Silva Bridge. It’s commonly called Rio-Niterói Bridge because, as the name says, it connects Rio de Janeiro to Niterói, a neighbor city. It’s very used every day because there are many people who lives in Niterói that work in Rio and it’s the best way to the Lakes Region where everybody likes to go in summer.

You can also use small boats to cross the bay; it is much faster and pleasant.

Ipanema sunset

2006-05-05T14:16:00.000-03:00

Let me start with the obvious: the beaches.

Rio has the most beautiful beaches i've ever seen and they are of the main touristic point of the city - yes, we have Sugar Loaf an Corcovado too but i'll talk about them later.

They are not just beautiful, they are different. And the reason is the people. People from Rio (the cariocas) make the beaches a special place. It's a place to meet people, where you have special friends (the beach dudes) and where everybody goes every sunny weekend. Every summer weekend nobody does anything before going to the beach and Monday is the day to show the tan around.

The most famous beach is Ipanema - the one of the picture. It's my favorite neighbourhood and a wonderful place to live. It's just not very cheap but the place everybody should stay when visiting Rio.