Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Gary and I went to Brazil for a week. We spent 5 days in Rio De Janeiro and then 2 days in Iguassu falls. It was really awesome. My first time in South America, and pretty much my first time in a completely unknown place where I can't even speak the language!
Highlights:
1. Awesome, awesome food. We went to several fancy fusion restaurants where we ate for about $30, the equivalent of $100-150 US meal. The best food and drinks I've ever had. One big surprise was we went to a place called "Arab" that was right on a lake, and had the "Super Mix Arab". I have to try more middle eastern food in SF.
2. Went to a concert on top of Sugar Loaf to see Brazilian pop star Jorge Ben Jor.
3. Took a tour of a Favella (slums). Not quite City of God, but we still saw how the poor live in Rio. Supposedly one of the guys we met was a drug lord. Our tour guide (Paulo) was really awesome. He spent all his time running an after school program for kids, and held some post in the Favella to clean up the city and deal with Rio government.
4. Iguassu Falls. One of the natural wonders of the world. I have always had a thing for waterfalls. After going to Niagara I wanted to go back. This was way bigger and cooler. It was much longer, more powerful, more green and scenic.
We were very lucky and stayed at the Tropical Das Cataratas Hotel which was just a few feet from the waterfalls. If we could cut down a couple trees, we could see the falls from our room.
On the brazil side we walked down a path until we were standing next to the falls, and then at one point on a catwalk right on the edge.
Then we took a boat ride that took us under one of the falls and got us drenched.
The next day we went to the Argentinian side of the falls which was even more beautiful. There were catwalks that ran over them all the way across. It included a section called "The Devil's Throat" which was about 270 degrees of powerful waterfalls.
Other things:
Bike ride through Ipanema, Copcabana, and the rest of Rio
Rooftop swimming pool in Ipanema beach
chocolate filled churros
Interesting notes:
It was definitely a bit strange being in South America. There weren't many tourists outside our hotel and people were definitely looking at us weird. But it was cool to be in the same restaurants, bars, clubs, and beaches as the locals.
Tipping is an automatic 10% which is nice since you don't have to worry about that calculation. At one bar we went to, they would hand you a card as you entered. As you bought drinks they swiped your card and billed you. Then you paid as you left. Makes so much sense.
More than once I thought to myself that although Rio and South America are great, I sorta wanted to go to India. In India you have much of Rio (beautiful girls, great food, everything is cheap) but in addition to that I have this total connection there. I speak the language, I understand the people, and I feel like I belong there. It's totally strange since I never lived in India, but I still feel more comfortable there then anyplace else. I definitely want to check out the rest of the world, but I've also decided I will go to India every couple of years. December 2005...
Click here for Brazil pictures
Highlights:
1. Awesome, awesome food. We went to several fancy fusion restaurants where we ate for about $30, the equivalent of $100-150 US meal. The best food and drinks I've ever had. One big surprise was we went to a place called "Arab" that was right on a lake, and had the "Super Mix Arab". I have to try more middle eastern food in SF.
2. Went to a concert on top of Sugar Loaf to see Brazilian pop star Jorge Ben Jor.
3. Took a tour of a Favella (slums). Not quite City of God, but we still saw how the poor live in Rio. Supposedly one of the guys we met was a drug lord. Our tour guide (Paulo) was really awesome. He spent all his time running an after school program for kids, and held some post in the Favella to clean up the city and deal with Rio government.
4. Iguassu Falls. One of the natural wonders of the world. I have always had a thing for waterfalls. After going to Niagara I wanted to go back. This was way bigger and cooler. It was much longer, more powerful, more green and scenic.
We were very lucky and stayed at the Tropical Das Cataratas Hotel which was just a few feet from the waterfalls. If we could cut down a couple trees, we could see the falls from our room.
On the brazil side we walked down a path until we were standing next to the falls, and then at one point on a catwalk right on the edge.
Then we took a boat ride that took us under one of the falls and got us drenched.
The next day we went to the Argentinian side of the falls which was even more beautiful. There were catwalks that ran over them all the way across. It included a section called "The Devil's Throat" which was about 270 degrees of powerful waterfalls.
Other things:
Bike ride through Ipanema, Copcabana, and the rest of Rio
Rooftop swimming pool in Ipanema beach
chocolate filled churros
Interesting notes:
It was definitely a bit strange being in South America. There weren't many tourists outside our hotel and people were definitely looking at us weird. But it was cool to be in the same restaurants, bars, clubs, and beaches as the locals.
Tipping is an automatic 10% which is nice since you don't have to worry about that calculation. At one bar we went to, they would hand you a card as you entered. As you bought drinks they swiped your card and billed you. Then you paid as you left. Makes so much sense.
More than once I thought to myself that although Rio and South America are great, I sorta wanted to go to India. In India you have much of Rio (beautiful girls, great food, everything is cheap) but in addition to that I have this total connection there. I speak the language, I understand the people, and I feel like I belong there. It's totally strange since I never lived in India, but I still feel more comfortable there then anyplace else. I definitely want to check out the rest of the world, but I've also decided I will go to India every couple of years. December 2005...
Click here for Brazil pictures