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STEP 3 DIARY ENTRIES

=DAY 1=

//First day in// //Brazil// //and I’m off to see the sights of// //Rio de Janeiro////.//

BOM DIA- Good day Staying at the Carlton Rio Atlantica in Copacabana, it is among one of the newest luxury hotels in Rio. It has excellent beachfront locations with Sugar loaf in view. Hotel is equipped with roof top pool and bar, business centre and much more.

The day is very warm and humid, contemplating coffee; I found a café on the next corner. I was soon to discover coffee is Brazil is very strong and sweet, I noticed 3 scoops of sugar before I could get the attendant to stop.

The Rio de Janeiro centre square is covered with black and white paving, making it an fabulous architectural design to see. Brazilians like to shop, there a shops everywhere. I was to discover many businesses stay open from 9am –7pm weekdays, and from 9am-1pm on Saturdays. Main shopping centres stay open as late as 10pm on weekdays. The commonly found products on sale were gems (emeralds) and jewellery (particularly silver).

Walking around the main streets of Rio de Janeiro the contrast between rich and poor is quite obvious. Big elegant buildings and apartments compared to Brazilian favelas. Favelas (a Brazilian shabby shacks), poor houses are made of tin and lose rubbish, cardboard.

The easiest method of transport for myself and other Brazilians seemed to be the bus service. They were buses departing every 15 minutes to just about every direction. Buses always beaming with business, even into the night.
 * DAY 2**

//Night out for dinner//
Rang up to reserve a table at the popular porcao Ipanema Restaurant at Ipanema. Wishing to reserve a table for two that evening at 7:00pm, the waiter informed me that a reservation at that time isn’t necessary, but continued to take the reservation anyway. I found this a little strange for a popular restaurant, but looked forward to that evening regardless.

I want to make a reservation- Quero fazer uma reserva I have a reservation- Tahno uma reserva Do you speak English- Voce fala ingles I don’t understand- Nao entendo

Arriving at the restaurant at 6:55pm we were seated by the waiter to a near empty restaurant (another couple). Curiously I asked the waiter, the waiter explained Brazilians a late eaters, come 8pm and the restaurant would be beaming with business.

The porcao Ipanema restaurant stands overlooking Guanabara Bay, opposite Sugar loaf, the restaurant is extremely large, with extravagant service and excellent wine list and quality of food.

To our enjoyment we got the pleasure of sitting in an astongushing restaurant, with fabulous food. Ordering Bahia, a Brazilian dish made with fish or seafood, chilli peppers, coconut milk and special palm oil called dende. In the near empty restaurant there were no interruption to our fabulous dinner, except the waiter asking if we would like more wine, or would we like the lights dimmed.


 * DAY 3**

//Day trip to Iguaca Falls//
Travelling by bus on the 7hr trip from Rio de Janeiro, we had a few pit stops, one occasion stopping at the “Atlantic” service station for fuel. On the way back from the ladies, I noticed the fuel pumps, ‘gasoline’ (fuel), ‘diesel’ and ‘alcool’. I asked Mick the driver what ‘alcool’ fuel is. He continued to explain through broken English, that ‘alcool’ means alcohol. In the 1970’s Brazilians developed a car engine to run on alcohol fuel. The alcohol is made by distilling sugar, which is why Brazil produces such a large quantity of sugar cane. Alcool fuel is more commonly used among the Brazilian community.

Before the view of the Iguaca falls came in sight, the thunderous noise of the waterfalls was to be heard from kilometres away. Within sight the Iguaca Falls sight a sight beyond any view of the Niagara Falls, much more intense and lethal looking.


 * DAY 4**

//Amazon//
Travelling to the Amazon once again by bus, once in Manaus we are to fly by helicopter into the Amazon. Entering into Manaus, which I soon learn means “mother of god’, I also learn Manaus is not a small city regardless of being the closest to the Amazon. There a many fine hotels and restaurants, all offering international cuisine and local dishes. Most of the Amazon basin contains majority rainforest. From above in the helicopter it looks like endless green carpet, disturbed only by silvery shaking rivers. The top of the trees pack closely together, forming the forest canopy, below under the canopy is dark and gloomy, trees soaring up to 50m. The canopy is mostly full of wildlife such as birds, monkeys, big cats, reptiles and much more.


 * DAY 5**

//Sugarloaf mountains/ Carnival//
2 days left in Brazil and the Carnival celebrations have just commenced in Rio de Janeiro. Smells and sounds of the parade of sensed from within the hotel.

Before the Carnival parade, a trip to the Sugarloaf mountains a arranged, for US$35. Which includes transfer to and from hotels within Copacabana and Ipanema, Bilingual guide (Portuguese, Spanish or English), Sugarloaf cable car entry, and visits to Maracana Stadium, downtown Rio and the Metropolitan cathedral. The tour went for 4 hours and was absolutely excellent.

I enjoy the afternoon drinking cool ‘cachai’, a sugar cane alcohol beverage served in long glasses with lime wedges.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the hottest destinations I have ever visited. Rio can be paradise but can also be a nightmare. Copabana is known for drugs, hookers, pimps and thieves but depending on where you stay and what you do will vary your holiday experience. Use common sense and stay clear from back streets where possible.

I found Brazil to be a place brimming with colour, sound, and rhythm, Brazilians like their music and they a always dancing. Brazilians are very beautiful, happy, warm and caring people. Brazilian women tend to greet with a kiss on one (or both) cheeks, were men greet each other commonly with a handshake before and