Antiques in Rio!

We spent a lovely day wandering in the outdoor once a month antique fair. Along the route we came accross my new favorite store with some of the best examples of mid-century modern peices I have even seen! www.mercadomodernobrasil.com.br Then we went to the indoor antique fair which was interesting but not as good as the first one.

The weather is very overcast today. Tommorrow is our last day and I am hoping for lots of sun. Our flight leaves 10:45pm Rio time. So we'll hang out at the pool for the last day :)

Rio at night

I hope i am not jinxing it but Rio does not seem nearly as dodgy as all the reports I hear. I of course would not venture to isloated areas. However we just came back from a crepe place and it is now 11:20pm and it was fine. I suppose seeing many big cities with a variety of issues has helped. So we survived the evening in Rio ;)

Tomorrow it is all about antiques!

Rio

So we have been in Rio for 2 nights (we fly out on Sunday night). Everyone wears the teeny tiny bikinis.... everyone, grandmas, big girls. it is quite the phenonmenon.

as for veg meals it is rather uninspiring but at least there are options. much of the veg stuff is like pasta, pizza etc. we went to one veg restaruant but it was quite bland

the weather is great 34+ it is a little hot for me actually :)

Today we went to the museum of modern art. Quite a nice building and exhibit. http://www.mamrio.com.br/

We spent some time in the pool and had a nap. I know our adventures are so legendary. I just don´t move that fast in this heat.

tommorow we are off to a once a month antique fair and a antique mall :)

New Year´s eve

I forgot to mention that we spent NY on a large 2 story wooden boat on the river, arranged by the lodge for everyone. it was complete with a DJ and drinks. Before this we had a lovely dinner at the lodge. Nice way to ring in the new year!

Amazon Update

Well it has been a fantastic few days. We did so many things! A jungle trek in which we learned about local plants for food and medicine, a snake refuge where they breed and release snakes back to the wild, many many boat trips on the river negro, canoe trip, swimming with the wild pink dolphins, visit to a village and a town, caiman (alligator) spotting and learning to shoot bows and arrows (which gave me a nice burn on the wrist from the string). I have some photos holding the little alligator (they catch them in the river and then let them go) and a picture with the snakes at the refuge. The lodge was lovely and they had terrific food with lots of veg options. The only thing missing was a laundry service and we did not want to trek to the nearest little town to find one. (So later tonight locating a lavanderia/laundry is the #1 priority in Rio).

The weather has been good with sun and warm rain. There have been no major upsets other than some scratches and bug bites. There was a minor set back this morning when the strong Brazil coffee disagreed with me. But I am feeling better and grossly the fish in the river ate all the evidence!

On the way out we took a small float plane, just with us and the pilot, for a 30 minute flight over the river and to Manaus. In Manaus we went to the Amazonian research centre in which the research local flora and fuana. We saw the manatees that are brought in when injured or weak and then are rehabilitated. It was not like a zoo (which i don´t generally like) but more like a preserve. There were some man made lakes with fish, caimans, turtles etc. And running loose all over are these giant guinea pigs! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavia_aperea

I am now at the Manaus airport internet cafe and we are off to Rio soon. As luck would have it the first Saturday of the month in Rio has a huge antique fair so I will be there!

layover in Sao Paulo

We have arrived in Sao Paulo. See: http://www.saopaulo.sp.gov.br/ingles/ We are in the airport for about 9 hours waiting for our flight to Manaus. Originally we would be flying to Rio first but our flight was changed due to a delay (and it ended up being a good thing saving us a flight). I managed to find an internet cafe at the airport. I am right now assisting a tourist in accessing her email :) good times...

I am super duper tired and looking forward to the brief hotel stay (1 night) we have in Manaus before going to the ecolodge. The flights were fine although they did not have a veg meal so we got 2 salads.

It is very hot here and the cement floor is looking inviting for a nap.Only 5 more hours to wait for our flight.

Take 2 tablets daily in left ear...?!?

so said the instructions on our travel diarrhea medication.... When I phone the pharmacist she was laughing so hard and said that certain things you type in their system will auto fill in. Preparing the medications for travel is always fun. 

We are now fully vaccinated against: rabies, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, dyptheria, Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and others I probably can't recall. For over the counter medications pepto bismal, imodium, ibuprofen are the absolute necessities in my book. 

Packing for Brazil

After many trips we are fortunate to amass most of the essential items. I have learned from many a heavy pack to really pack light when traveling unless it is directly to a resort. For clothing I recommend the following: one pants, 2 shorts, swim suit, 2 pair of socks, 7 underwear, one long sleeve shirt, 4-5 short sleeve shirts, one pair walking shoes, one pair flip flop/sandals, and a hat. Remember where ever you are... everyone has to do laundry so it exists in either a laundromat or by having it done by someone. 

Other items I bring are a good back pack, day purse/hippie bag,  (nothing screams "rob me I am a tourist" like a big ass fanny pack), a microfibre towel if the accommodations are on the cheap side, and a good assortment of over the counter remedies. 

I know what you are thinking... 2 pairs of socks.... really? But I literally live in my Keen Antigua flip flops no matter the terrain unless it is absolutely freezing. They are amazing supportive flip flops (which seems like an oxymoron). See: Keen Flip Flops

Now when we go to northern India which is cold and then all the way south to snorkel I am going to include the super duper light long johns and snorkeling equipment (such a pain to haul but worth it if you are spending a good chunk of time snorkeling. rented stuff is dodgy).

Trip Planning for Brazil

We fly out to Brazil on December 26, 2007 and have a terrific friend baby sitting the kitties. We are staying in an eco-lodge in the middle of the rainforest. You can see it here: http://www.anavilhanaslodge.com/ Then we spend a few days in Rio on the way out at the Shertaon Hotel, which you can see here: http://www.sheraton-rio.com.br/ We arrive home on January 7, 2008.