This is my 5th trip to Brazil over the last 12 months. Every time I have come to Sao Paulo for the purpose of a work trip.
Rio de Janero is just a 1 hour flight away. With each trip I kept telling myself I should go visit. This time around I did, with a nice weekend visit. I stayed at a nice new Hilton in a rapidly growing western part of the city called Barre. This is more of a business area than tourist area and makes for better sleeping in my experience.
On Saturday morning I took a 30 minute taxi ride to Ipanema. Ever hear the song?
What a beautiful coast line! I'm going to surf this someday.
I joined a tour group in the lobby of a local hotel. We set off for a bus ride around the city. The bus took us around the lagoon where in one month the best rowers in the world will compete at the Olympics. There is about 7 miles of bike/run trail here. Rio culture includes a strong desire to be outside and active.
We stopped outside the downtown area where Carnival happens every February before Ash Wednesday. That is a bucket list item of mine, but such a trip is expensive and requires reservations more than a year in advance. Anyone want to go in 2018?
The tour also stopped by the Catholic Cathedral, an interesting conical architecture. There is also a roman style aqueduct (now used for train) behind this building. Very different influences than the Spanish/Portuguese style I am used to seeing. This modern place has been visited by 2 popes and has room for 5,000 seats or 20,000 standing. The stained glass windows were amazing. I took a moment to say a prayer of thanks for this wonderful day.
The tour around the city was continued. On the way to the mountain we witnessed a few other landmarks.
Stay tuned for part 2 - a visit to Sugarloaf Mountain and one of the most amazing views in the world...
The tour around the city was continued. On the way to the mountain we witnessed a few other landmarks.
Stay tuned for part 2 - a visit to Sugarloaf Mountain and one of the most amazing views in the world...
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