Tuesday, January 26 ~ Rio de Janeiro

RIO REVISITED 

Although we have been to Rio in the past, we did not share it together.  In a way, it was like we visited it for the first time which brings up one of our travel missions:  No matter how many times you have visited a destination, you have to climb into the realm of discovery.  There is always something out there that needs discovering.......always something that will give you that feeling that you are the only one who knows about it.

 
 Our own example of this is our "discovery" of "Real Gabinete Portugues de Leitura" or The Portuguese Library.  What a find suggested by our marvelous destination lecturer, Ken Rees!  Our colorful guide, Franco Montefinese, told us he wanted to show us "his" Rio which was more of a behind the scenes tour that did not include our previously visited sights of Sugarloaf, Corcovado, and the beaches of Copacabana and Impanema.  The library was first and Franco wanted to show us one of the rare books, a 1572 edition of Luis de Camoes's "Os Lusiadas".  Although quite small, this library is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen! 
 

We drove half way up to the Corcovado and discovered there was nothing to see.  The overcast skies completely covered any point of interest - quite unlike the day before which was clear and beautiful, but much hotter than today!  

So let's see other things like the famous Lapa Steps, a stairway of tiles created by a Chilean painter, Selaron, who in 1983, fell in love with Brazil and adopted Brazil as his country.  As a tribute, he started painting these colorful tiles from over 60 countries.   There are 215 steps and Selaron, who continues placing and changing colorful tiles higher and higher on the steps says he will not stop until he dies.   

 

We then continued to the street that hosts Carnivale in a few weeks - one of the most colorful spectacles in the world today.  This is a very short street with stands on both sides with prices ranging from $600 to $6,000 per ticket! 

Of considerable interest to the tourist trade in Rio is the future Summer Olympics in 2016.  Plans are already underway to prepare for this great sporting event in 6 years. 

 
Our last stop was the Hotel Copacabana Palace for tea by the pool.  This is the only 5 Star hotel in Rio and has been the icon of Rio de Janeiro for decades.    

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....

"Do not follow where the path may lead.       Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

 

 

  

Comments

[Matteo]

Franco Montefinese: BEST GUIDE IN RIO DE JANEIRO!!!