Brazil Plans

Rio de Janeiro

We are looking forward to our stay at Casa Cool Beans.  It's a great little boutique B&B in Santa Teresa, where we will be spending our first day in Rio de Janeiro.  We will head to Feira do Rio Antigo, a local Saturday market, then to Arcos da Lapa, the Carioca Aqueduct, and of course, the Santa Teresa Convent, for which the neighborhood was named.  We are really looking forward to seeing the Escadaria Selaron, the famous steps between Lapa and Santa Teresa.  We are heading to Rio Scenarium, for dinner, live music and maybe even get Jacob to try a little samba.  I won't be holding my breath.

On Easter Sunday, we will NOT be heading to Christ the Redeemer with the rest of Rio but rather for the beaches.  To start the morning right, we will be hitting a juice bar on our way to Ipanema  Beach.  The people watching should be fantastic, as well as the photo opps.  We plan to hit Garota de Impanema, the bar where the Girl from Ipanema was written.  A little shopping is in order, from the high end to the Feira Hippie Market.    Next it's over to Copacabana Beach for some lounge chair time and  seeing the Copacabana Palace.  Dinner will be at Aprazivel, which boasts amazing views overlooking the city.

Monday we are going on a private tour in an open air buggy to see Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Tujica National Park, among other things.  After a busy day of seeing the sights, we are looking forward to a cozy dinner at Bar do Mineiro. 

Tuesday we plan to see downtown Rio, the museums, the churchs and the Praca.  In our tradition of visiting the best cafe's around the world, lunch is at Confeitaria Colombo, in the city center.  No definite plans for dinner, will see where the day takes us.

Wednesday is the last day in Rio, probably shopping and a little more Santa Teresa, before we head to the airport to start the Journey to South Africa.  We are less than one week away from starting the trip and I just can't wait!!