Kupitero's Keep Travels Page

Rio de Janeiro, Salvador (Bahia) - Pelourinho, Barra & Cachoeira- & Sao Paolo, Brasil, 2003:

Easy flowing sambas and the very poetic, tropicalista music were essentially what drew us to this place. You'll not regret it...the place is as advertised. Rio is truly "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Marvelous City) while the bay province of Bahia (Portuguese for, what else?? - Bay) is where you live your life at its laid-back most. Drinking your SKOL, Brahma or Kaiser (popular brands of beer in Brasil) while listening to bossa nova or just MPB, along the countless beaches, will make you plan for your next trip back here. Sao Paolo is just for shoppers and the city boy at heart - you can skip it and opt for other beautiful places in Brasil!

Ahh, beautiful Rio....who can forget the song, "Girl from Ipanema"? Dance the night away when it's Carnaval time at the Sambadrome. Want some quiet time in this bustling city? Go to Jardin Botanico...or simply unwind while catching some of the spectacular views of the city at Corcovado. Life is no fun without soccer for the Brasilians. Watch the games 'live' at the Maracana Stadium!

We also toured Cachoeira (Waterfall) and Sao Felix - west of Salvador in Bahia- where a cigar-factory (Dannemann) cum museum greets visitors after crossing the really-in-need-of-repair, steel & wood bridge (it connects the two places). This is true Brazilian countryside -simple but rich in heritage. It was also in Sao Felix that I tasted the sweet/alcoholic drink called "Maracuja"..this plus loads of fresh fish and my favorite, the "churascarrias" (lots and lots of assorted meat barbecues). Along the way to Cachoeira, we also happen to pass by the birthplace of one of my favorite tropicalistas - Caetano Veloso (see him perform in the much acclaimed Aldomovar movie, "Talk To Her"). The place is called, Santo Amaro da Purificacao.

Petropolis, up in the highlands near Rio de Janeiro, approx a 2.5 hrs. drive away- offered "Cariocas" - Rio locals - relief from the heat during summertime. Here, we sample some really nice chocolates from a shop called, Patrone. Also in Petropolis is the Imperial Museum, built by Dom Pedro II in 1845 as a summer residence. There are lots of interesting sights in this highland- and, Brasil - but due to time-constraints, we will do it on our next trip!!!

I could go on and on and talk about Itapua, Pelourihno, the candomble, capoeira, the Elevador Lacerda, Barra, the Iglesia de la Orden Tercera de San Francisco, etc. - all of these just in the province of Bahia, Brasil...but...

Muito obrigado, Brasil!!!

...on to more Travels

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