leonie_travel+log


 * __DEAR TRAVEL DIARY,__**

[[http://www.discoverbrazil.com/groups/4/brazil/#|After|a long flight departing from Sydney Australia.Flight 209 lands in brazil.the country renounded for its bronzed bodies and partying lifestyle.excitment is brewing as we leave the airport headed to our hotel.A few questions buzzed through my head as we passed the setting sun on our first day in RIO!!!**what awaits us?who will we meet?how do i deal with a complete culture change?
 * **Day** || Discription ||  ||
 * 1st [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Arrival in Rio Transfer in Airport / Hotel Dinner Samba Show

Rio's night brings out all person's from the city. the night life makes your heart beat faster with the ryhthm of the drums pounding through the filled streets. we visted the "escolas da samba" they open their doors for "rehearsals" which combines a party and a pep rally in preperation for the coming carnival.We begin with dinner at typical barbecue restaurant for a non-stop feast of Brazilian meats, salads, vegetables and drinks. ]] || || [[http://www.discoverbrazil.com/groups/4/brazil/#|(details)|**Sugar Loaf Half Day**
 * Brazilian Samba Show**
 * 2nd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day City Tour - Corcovado and Sugar Loaf with lunch Dine Around
 * 2nd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day City Tour - Corcovado and Sugar Loaf with lunch Dine Around
 * 2nd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day City Tour - Corcovado and Sugar Loaf with lunch Dine Around
 * 2nd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day City Tour - Corcovado and Sugar Loaf with lunch Dine Around
 * 2nd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day City Tour - Corcovado and Sugar Loaf with lunch Dine Around
 * 2nd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day City Tour - Corcovado and Sugar Loaf with lunch Dine Around
 * 2nd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day City Tour - Corcovado and Sugar Loaf with lunch Dine Around

The tour began with a visit to Downtown with a stop at Metropolitan Cathedral, then we drove to "Praia Vermelha", to take the two-stage car up to the top of Sugar Loaf (270m), which grants the entrance to Rio's harbor and Guanabara Bay. The first stage is Morro da Urca with 170m, with a restaurant, amphitheater and helicopter-point. The second stage goes on the Sugar Loaf itself.


 * Corcovado Half Day**

After a beautiful scenic drive along Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon beaches and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, we arrive at the bottom of the Corcovado hill where we embarked on a comfortable train which went along the beautiful Mountain, where the statue of Christ, the Redeemer, overlook's Rio in a magnificent panorama. ]] || [[http://www.discoverbrazil.com/groups/4/brazil/#|(details)|**Island tour**
 * 3rd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day Island Tour with lunch Dinner Around
 * 3rd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day Island Tour with lunch Dinner Around
 * 3rd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day Island Tour with lunch Dinner Around
 * 3rd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day Island Tour with lunch Dinner Around
 * 3rd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day Island Tour with lunch Dinner Around
 * 3rd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day Island Tour with lunch Dinner Around
 * 3rd [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full Day Island Tour with lunch Dinner Around

What a day.A full day tour to the village of Itacuruçá, located 1 ½ hour south of Rio de Janeiro , with its simple houses of fishermen.The typical boat that looks like a schooner cruises the Sepetiba Bay , an area rich in natural beauty.we stopped for a swim and then the schooner continued to the island of Itacuruça where a delicious lunch self-service buffet was waiting for us. we then explored the island before returning. ]] || [[http://www.discoverbrazil.com/groups/4/brazil/#|(details)|**Bahia By Night**
 * 4th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Free day at the beach. Transfer out / Flight to Salvador Transfer in Dinner Folkloric Show
 * 4th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Free day at the beach. Transfer out / Flight to Salvador Transfer in Dinner Folkloric Show
 * 4th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Free day at the beach. Transfer out / Flight to Salvador Transfer in Dinner Folkloric Show
 * 4th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Free day at the beach. Transfer out / Flight to Salvador Transfer in Dinner Folkloric Show
 * 4th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Free day at the beach. Transfer out / Flight to Salvador Transfer in Dinner Folkloric Show
 * 4th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Free day at the beach. Transfer out / Flight to Salvador Transfer in Dinner Folkloric Show
 * 4th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Free day at the beach. Transfer out / Flight to Salvador Transfer in Dinner Folkloric Show

Tonight focused on the wealth of Bahian culture. The presentation began with the sacred dances of the Candomblé, then puxada de rede in honour of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea, followed maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance from the cane fields. The highlight of the show was an exhilarating display of capoeira, the stunning martial art/dance of Angolan origin. The show ended with the samba de roda, a spinning, swirling version of this exuberant national dance. Dinner was buffet of international and Bahia cuisine served in the area that was once the warehouse. ]] || [[http://www.discoverbrazil.com/groups/4/brazil/#|(details)|**Historical Tour**
 * 5th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day city tour with lunch Historical / Panoramic Dine Around
 * 5th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day city tour with lunch Historical / Panoramic Dine Around
 * 5th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day city tour with lunch Historical / Panoramic Dine Around
 * 5th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day city tour with lunch Historical / Panoramic Dine Around
 * 5th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day city tour with lunch Historical / Panoramic Dine Around
 * 5th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day city tour with lunch Historical / Panoramic Dine Around
 * 5th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day city tour with lunch Historical / Panoramic Dine Around

7am we were picked up at our hotel and begin our half day tour following to the Farol da Barra (the lighthouse), passing by the Santa Maria Fortress and Barra Harbour. From there we travelled to the upper city through the Corredor da Vitória, Campo Grande and Piedade. Awaiting us in the upper city is the highlight of the tour, the Pelourinho. Pelourinho is considered the most important that exists in the world today bye UNESCO, filled with a rich collection of 17th and 18th century colonial architecture.


 * Panoramic Tour**

iam now able to know and to appreciate the beauties of the “other city”, called Cidade Baixa (low city), where the Itapagipe Peninsula stretches out into the sea, providing panoramic views. This area was the first holiday residences district now is a peaceful family district where life moves at a slower pace than the bustling upper city. we will visited the famous Church of Bonfim, place where happen most of the religious manifestations of Bahia. Finally a stop at the Mercado Modelo, a thriving market for local handicrafts, the biggest of Bahia. ]] || [[http://www.discoverbrazil.com/groups/4/brazil/#|(details)|**Island Tour**
 * 6th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day Island Tour with lunch Dinner at the Hotel
 * 6th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day Island Tour with lunch Dinner at the Hotel
 * 6th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day Island Tour with lunch Dinner at the Hotel
 * 6th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day Island Tour with lunch Dinner at the Hotel
 * 6th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day Island Tour with lunch Dinner at the Hotel
 * 6th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day Island Tour with lunch Dinner at the Hotel
 * 6th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Full day Island Tour with lunch Dinner at the Hotel

we travelled to the islands of the Baia de Todos os Santos on a schooner, stopping off for lunch at the island of Itaparica .The largest and fairest bay along the Brazilian coast, All Saints Bay in the state of Bahia, amazed me because of the large number of tropical islands with enchanting beaches and lush vegetation; great historical treasures dot the landscape: churches, forts, beautiful colonial mansions and plantation houses from the times when Brazil was still under Portuguese rule. The bay was once the largest seaport in the southern hemisphere. ]] ||
 * 7th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || day of relaxion / vist to local markets. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 7th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || day of relaxion / vist to local markets. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 7th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || day of relaxion / vist to local markets. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 7th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || day of relaxion / vist to local markets. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||
 * 8th [[image:http://www.discoverbrazil.com/body/separador.jpg width="5" height="50" align="absMiddle"]] || Transfer out. ||