Samba school parade

We're going to the samba school parade this year, right?
There are several seating options:

• covered boxes: the most expensive one, usually rented by companies or very very rich people. The price varies from R$26k until R$50k. I think we'll pass on this, right? :)
• open boxes: this is an interesting choice, and there is a version for 6 people and another one for 4 people. The 4 people option location is terrible, so it was discarded. The cheapest 6 people option is R$3k and I'm not sure if we can buy only 4 places, so I guess it is discarded too. I guess the price would be a little bit expensive as well.
  
• back stall seats: this is a kind of numbered plastic chair, a low budget option, but the location is not so good. It has a limited view of the parade and is located at the end of the Sambodromo. Discarded too.
• Grandstand seats: this is the option we are considering, if you guys agree. We could watch from above, having a great view of the entire parade. We are considering buying the ticket for sector 5 (the map of sambodromo is shown below, the parade goes from the left to the right) and it will R$240,00 each (U$133,00). We would have to seat on the steps of the stand, which is made of concrete. Not very confortable, but it's ok. We have been there many many times for rock concerts and it works fine.

The tickets for grandstands seats will start selling only in January, so we have time to decide if we want to go to the parade on Sunday or Monday (they divide the parade in two days). Marcos thinks that Sunday's parade will be more exciting.

There is an interesting website at http://www.carnivalservice.com/rio-carnival.php that you can take a look to have more detailed information about the options and the samba school parade experience.

Let us know what you guys think...

The beaches...

Rio is very famous because of its beaches, right? So, let's put here some pictures of the most beautiful beaches that will be waiting for you here...

Let's start with Praia de Botafogo, where we used to live when Kim came to visit us in 2007. This is not a good beach to take a bath, but the view is astonishing and we can take a walk at the end of the afternoon, enjoying the Sugar Loaf and the boats at the bay...




Copacabana beach is the most famous beach in Rio, and also one of the biggest and busiest... It's beautiful indeed, but not our favourite.



To watch a beautiful sunset, we can go to Arpoador beach. In a sunny day, it looks like you are at a Caribbean beach, because the water is really transparent...


And there she comes, Ipanema, our favourite beach... Where we can relax at the beach and then go for lunch in one of the best restaurants in Rio...


After Ipanema, comes Leblon, the most expensive neighborhood in Rio. Nice beach and very rich people around...

Heading further on west direction, comes São Conrado. In my opinion one of the most beautiful beaches in Rio. We never go there, because of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, this is probably where the social difference in our city gets its higher level. At one side of the street, Rocinha, the biggest "favela" in Latin America. At the other side, the beach and buildings with the most expensive rate regading m2.

After São Conrado, comes Barra da Tijuca, where will be living one month from now... The beach is huge, not my favourite, but I guess that's where me and Marcos will be next summer :)

It's not over yet... There are other beaches in Rio, very nice, smaller ones, where we never go because they are a bit far, but I think it will be a good idea to to take you guys there. Check it out:

Grumari


Prainha


Joatinga - Surf point


Will this trip be exciting or what?? :)

Places to eat in Rio

We select some places to eat for you to choose when you are here....

Aprazivel - Very good restaurant in Santa Teresa. We will have to see how will it be during Carnival... The website is in portuguese, but is very pleasant and I'm sure you like it. [NYTimes Travel Review | TripAdvisor Review]

Bar d'Hôtel - It's a bistrot in Marina All Suites Leblon. My sister Julia said it has a very beautiful view of the beach and the food and drinks are very good. [NYTimes Travel Review]

Giuseppe Grill - A very good restaurant for eating meat, in a very different environment of a Churrascaria. Also in Leblon, but not on the beach. We like it very much and they also have very good wines! Its website is in portuguese. [NYTimes Travel Review | TripAdvidor Review]

Porcão ou Rio Brasa - two of the best Churrascarias in Rio. Porcão has several restaurants in Rio and Rio Brasa is in Barra da Tijuca, close to our new home. Both sites are in portuguese only. We'll pick at least one... :-)

Casa da Feijoada - very good (but also touristic) place in Ipanema to eat Feijoada, if you want it. Other option is to ask my mother or father to make one Feijoada at their homes :-) [NYTimes Travel Review | TripAdvisor]



Balada Mix or Bibi Sucos (or both) - typical carioca places to grab a snack - juice and sandwich. [NYTimes Travel Review]

Zozô Rio - located in the base of Pão de Açúcar, it has large windows to appreciate it. We never went, but people say it has excelent food and meat. 

Braz or Rascal - very good pizzarias close to home. Both came from São Paulo, where they make very good pizzas. Alberto may complain that Italian pizza are best, but... you will be in Rio!! :-) [TripAdvisor Review]

Barbecue at our balcony - of course we will prepare some barbecue in our balcony (churrasqueira). It will be fun to go to the pools and eat after it.

Of course there are other very good places to eat in Rio. Here are some listings if you want to browse.

• NY Times Travel Guide
• Frommers.com 
• Ipanema.com

Rio de Janeiro - Cidade Maravilhosa!

Time to introduce Rio to our friends! Ok, I'm know Kim was already here two times before, but I think Alberto never went here.

So, here are some of links for you to read a little bit about Rio. We think it's good to read about the city since we want you to feel very comfortable and be able to choose what you want to do and see. Since you will be here in Carnival, the city will be a little bit different, because it's a big holiday (3-day - monday to wednesday) and several people come and go. And mainly because we have several blocos (small parades, for more information please click here) everyday, sometimes a couple of streets are closed for them to pass.

If you don't want to keep yourselves reading, reading and reading, take some time to appreciate Rio's beauty with the presentation and videos below.

The stones of Rio / As Pedras do Rio (best when viewed in full screen)


Discover Rio de Janeiro - Brazil


Rio 2016 - Very nice video


Rio 2016 - Olympic Games Master Plan


Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Maravilhosa - DJ Byano (2min - soundtrack Carioca funk)

Carnival 2010

Today I called LIESA (group in charge of Carnival organization and tickets) and tickets aren't for sale yet. I'm gathering information from tourism companies that also sell places in Sambodromo.

Liesa website doesn't have an english version, so I'll publish here some information for you.

Here is a map of the Sambodromo. The parade starts on the left end and end on the right end.

Click the image to zoom it

The Grupo Especial parade (best samba schools) will be on Sunday (Feb 14) and Monday (Feb 15) and it starts at 9pm. If you want to see more detail about each day, please access: http://liesa.globo.com/2010/por/03-carnaval10/horario/horario.htm. Both days will fun, but I think we prefer Monday.

I'm also looking for information and prices for being in the parade and not only watch it.  I'll share with you as soon as we have more information.

All about Buzios

So Renata asked me to find some interesting links about Buzios... I found out that Buzios Online, our one stop shop for Buzios, has a english version and it looks very good. So, here it is...

http://www.buziosonline.com.br/home/english/

I also got a few pictures from past trips to Buzios... Enjoy it!