"O Rio continua lind ..." a Rio de Janeiro Travel Page by mangueirense

Brazilians say that God created the world in six days and on the seventh day, he created Rio de Janeiro. And for me this seems perfectly believable!

Rio de Janeiro - A cidade Maravilhosa - (the marvelous city) like the cariocas say, is my absolutely favourite city in Brazil!
It is definitely a must-see place in Brazil for every first time visitor!

Look how wonderful it must be to see it from above....

At this photo you can see the Corcovado mountain with the Christ at the left side, Guanabara bay, Sugar Loaf, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and the big heart of the city is Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas-Lake.

I have been here around 10 times during my 14 visits in Brazil and know a lot of places inside Rio- but to be there again is always like a dream for me! I could come to see the view of Corcovado or Sugar Loaf, could walk through the streets of the downtown or going to take a bath at the ocean thousands of times, but it will be never boring for me! Rio is a kind of city everybody should stay for a few days, but I believe that 5 or 6 days aren't enough to really explore it, even not if you comes for two weeks! It is worth to visit it again and again and you will always explore new and nice spots!

I came to Rio for the first time in 1988 with 12 years old (thanks to my parents for that!) and have been very curious to see this beautiful landscape I heard so much about.
When we arrived from Parana state with the bus it was a little shock for me first, because the bus didn't went besides the beaches I dreamt of...(me silly little girl) ...the bus went through Av. Brasil which is not a very beautiful place and also does not look like you are in Rio...;-)
But after that I saw the Hotel (Hotel Novo Mundo in Flamengo) and the view out of the window to Flamengo beach and Sugar Loaf I was satisfied. We spent only 2 nights and around 3 full days in Rio with friends of my parents and only visited Corcovado and took a full day tour with a taxi to Barra da Tijuca beach..but I always remembered this lovely landscapes, the beaches ..and I always wanted to come back!
This time I couldn't know that in a few years (1992) I would know Sergio and his family and that I would travel a lot of times to Rio to stay there with my brazilian family!

For your first orientation, here is a map from Rio where you can see how are the famous beaches and districts of Rio located.

By the way:
I have found a great webpage from a native about Rio de Janeiro for Backpackers, so check it out :

http://www.rioforbackpackers.cjb.net

If anyone out there got a special question, or want my help in anything about Rio, please do not hesitate to contact me...

The actual weather in Rio de Janeiro:
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<img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/banner/infobox_both/language/www/global/stations/83755.gif"

I have to thank a lot of people who showed me around Rio de Janeiro and who tried to let me participate in their normal lifes, without their help I would have never had the chance to know Rio that much....and to become to love it as I do now! As the list would be too long for here, only special names:

1. of all : Sergio and his family for everything during all my Rio stays, you were always like a family to me!
Ah, not to forget: Obrigada Sergio for giving me the once in a lifetime opportunity to parade with the always and ever "verde e rosa" samba school Manguiera ..I will nevermore forget this best experience of my life and always will be "verde e rosa"!

(Sorry, do not have a picture with all the family together here)

2. Herculis and his sister Erica:
for their friendship ...we'll always be "verde e rosa" ...

3. Valeska and her family:
for the great opportunity to celebrate New Year 1999/2000 with you, your family and friends...absolutely wonderfull! You can be sure that we will never forget this fantastic view to Copacabana, celebrating the new Millenium!

To all of you...
Aquele abraco.... :-)

NEWS- NEWS -NEWS- NEWS-

For all those of you who are in Rio de Janeiro from December 05 to February 2006 and does want to have an idea on how the "ensaios" (rehearsals) of the samba schools are, there are the tecnical rehearsals in the Sambodromo at following dates:

# Friday, 09/12: Imério Serrano (19h) e Mangueira (20h)
# Saturday, 10/12: Portela (21h)
# Sunday, 11/12: Rocinha (19h) e Vila Isabel (21h)
# Sunday, 18/12: Tijuca (19h) e Porto da Pedra (21h)
# Friday, 06/01: Mocidade Independente (21h)
# Sunday, 08/01: Mangueira (17h), Salgueiro (19h) e Caprichosos (21h)
# Friday, 13/01: Imperatriz (21h)
# Sunday, 15/01: Grande Rio (19h) e Unidos da Tijuca (21h)
# Friday, 20/01: Salgueiro (21h)
# Saturday, 21/01: Porto da Pedra (19h) e Portela (21h)
# Sunday, 22/01: Grande Rio (19h) e Rocinha (21h)
# Friday, 27/01: Império Serrano (21h)
# Saturday, 28/01: Beija-Flor (19h) e Caprichosos (21h)
# Sunday, 29/01: Viradouro (19h) e Vila Isabel (21h)
# Friday, 03/02: Mocidade Independente (21h)