Rio de Janeiro 里约热内卢


My first impression of Brazil’s Rio is very green, eye-catching green 养眼的绿. Hills and waters make the city attractive.

We’re there for the carnival after the Antarctic trip, stay for five days: Feb 9-13. Fly in from Buenos Aires on British Air Boeing 777, taking off at 1:56 and arriving at Rio 4:30pm; and leaving the city on the morning of Tuesday Feb 13. It’s their holidays weekend, everyday has carnival crowds by our hotel and on the streets.

From GIG airport to Ibis hotel downtown we use Uber. As soon as we entered the luggage collection area at GIG, there are at least two taxi services, one with Official title, which charges more than double the price of Uber.

We survived entirely on credit card, and getting around with Uber and taxi. Perhaps it was holiday, dressed up and half naked crowds are everywhere. It’s crowded.

Safety: this is an odd topic. Many friends have warned us to be careful … but I feel very safe at Rio. My philosophy is, travel and life in general should be fun and enjoyable. IF I’ve to wear money belt around my waist and use old iPhone to take photos to avoid being snatched, then that destination isn’t for me.

Language: they speak Portuguese and few people in the service industry speak passable English, with my hand signal and Google translates, it works out just fine.

People: these we come in contact, like in restaurants, cigar bars, are friendly and eager to talk.

Food: large portion, and mediocre quality.

Overall, the city feels third world. Copacabana Palace @ Copacabana Beach is their best hotel. But neither the hotel nor its immediate vicinity feels posh, nothing special… the feel is more like 23rd Street in New York.

The carnival: in 2024, is Feb 9th to 14th. The last Sunday suppose to be the cumulation. We’ve ticket on the last Saturday – I’m not too crazy about carnival to begin with. We went only because our Antarctic ends at the right time – Diana disembarks on Feb 8.


Beaches: Copacabana easily the best, grand and pristine in the morning (evening is another story), and Arpoador, Red and Diabo.

I’ve the best Tanquary and tonic @ MDN, the cigar bar.

San Diego, California … what’s the fixation or fascination with SD? Three Brazilian young men claimed their good English came from their American girl friends, from San Diego, CA. Coincident or they just love/know SD?

My itinerary 

    1. Fri 2.09 BA→Rio: Ibis; Uber; Xian @ SDU/Bossa Nova
    2. Sat 2.10 Senna @ Copacabana; Quiosque; Colombo @ Forte; the carnival
    3. Sun 2.11 PraçaParis; Sunday market; tiles & Santa Teresa; Canton; park; Bota @ BR marina
    4. Mon 2.12 cable car: Sugarloaf; Clássico Beach Club; Praia Vermelha; Chon Kou; Garota de Ipanema @ Arpoador/Diabo; Cafe 18 do Fort; paddle board; MDN cigar
    5. Tue 2.13 →BA; murals; Amex Centurion lounges

… murals

 


Rio is very green! 有点灵气 喜欢
Copacabana beach 非常干净 小震撼. 觉得一个国家/地区 不停的讲“素质” 谈 “家风” 那个国家地区一定很糟糕. 这都啥年代了 火箭回收了; AI 大行其道…
小到海滩上的小酒吧都收信用卡 大概是挺不错的城市
娃们真不敢恭维 因为是狂欢节 人人平等男女老幼 各个穿的暴露 啥尺寸 形状都有. 就是没有吉娘娘😂 99% 都不够标准 倒胃口.

坐下来之前 我们逛了贫民狂欢节 – 在马路边上. 那个脏 乱 … 但是人人情绪高涨. 80年代末我的室友和她男朋友来过. 据男友说 巴西穷困但狂欢节是每年的高潮; 几天落幕后 马上开始准备下一年的. 30多年过去了 从他们那时的照片看 没啥变化. 不知道他们的服饰是不是中国定制的 😂 花车还是几条大汉推的.
Me不来看看会觉得后悔 来了 就觉得 浪费时间. 迪士尼比这聪明绝顶多了.
音乐都是老生常谈.

 

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