After years of playing in a brasil-inspired samba band in Sydney, I have finally landed in Brasil during the Carnaval Season to get a real taste of this country. (21 days, February 2010)
Many surprises came from the trip - the people were beautiful and had an amazing level of integrity and friendliness. They have also surprised me with their level of creativity especially their costumes across the multitude of carnaval activities.
Rio is a gorgeous city - very picturesque with its surrounding mountains and beautiful beaches. Many samba bands in Rio also had trumpets, trombones and saxaphones ! It was hot and muggy with a max heat of 43 degrees celcius. And I was relieved that I wasn't mugged and didn't see any violence at any point during my trip.
CITIES/PLACES VISITED IN BRASIL : Rio de Janeira, Salvador.
TOP THINGS TO DO/SEE IN BRASIL
Enjoy a lazy afternoon soaking up the sun and swimming at Ipanema beach, while enjoying a BBQ cheese on a stick.
Go to a "foocheebol" (football) match and eat a hocheedoggie.
Go see the parade in the Sambadromo during Carnaval - it is definitely worth it !
Check out the 'bloco' street parties in Rio and Salvador. They are fabulous and start throughout the day, sometimes even at 8am !
BEST MEMORIES FROM BRASIL
Seeing all the commotion at the football match - flares and firework, drumming, ridiculously big flags and lots of emotion with the brasilian crowd.
Taking part in the street blocos and the samba school parade in the sambadromo - unforgettable !
Taking in the 70s essence in Sydney architecture, etc, and finding it in my new favourite Brasilian line of clothing "Totem".
People are very friendly and honest (will return money proactively if overpaid).
Surprisingly low number of tourists spotted during Carnaval. Yay!
Brazilians love dressing up for parties, men in particular love cross-dressing. Costumes can be found in large costume shops near the markets at Uruguaian Station.
Graffiti in high use. Lots of great street art abounds.
Underground trains have some train cars limited to women only and public transit officers actively enforce moving passengers who shouldn't be there off to other cars.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
It is normal to drive through red lights anytime of the day.
Overall food, transport, accomodations were more expensive than expected. Prices similar to Sydney.
Santa Theresa has a reputation for being dangerous. Best to stay clear of walking around there at dusk or night, and some areas even during the day.
Expected to see more cool cafes in Ipanema and Leblon during the day, but it seems that these burbs are more beach locales than cafe hotspots
FAVOURITE FOODS / DRINKS IN BRASIL
Acai berry smoothies - delicious though dangerously close in colour to blueberry (not much of a blueberry fan)
Delicious "Food by the Pound" restaurants in Rio -Delirio Restaurant was my favourite place, funky and gourmet
Cheese Bread -- little round nuggets of bread infused with melted mozarella. Mmmmm. And for breakfast !
Popcorn was a very popular snack sold on the street - regular (butter salted) and caramel
BBQ'd Cheese sold at festivals, on the beach, on the street. Delicious. Also comes with an Oregano dressing. Vendors carry around mini hot coal BBQ and unprepared cheese.
Antartica Beer - The best name I have ever heard for a *Cold* beer !
Caparinha icecream and corn icecream (Milho Verde) - yummy.
Sweet alco shots in a long tube - very sweet and very strong.
Feijoada dinner (black bean pork stew, rice with bread crumbs and tomatoes, etc)
REALLY WEIRD FOOD / DRINKS (SOME EVEN I COULDN'T GATHER THE COURAGE TO TRY!)
I didn't really see any strange foods.
PHOTO GALLERIES
"Best of" Photos (42)
Brasil (Ex-Sambodromo)
Beaches (11)
of Rio
Coloured Staircase (25)
Rio
Rio, The City (42)
Rio de Janeiro
Santa Theresa (30)
Rio
Sambodromo (42)
Rio
Santa Theresa Blocos(33)
Rio
Streets Blocos(40)
Rio
Lu's Bloco(30)
Botofogo, Rio
Marchinhas Competition (40)
Rio
Football Match (38)
Maracana Stadium, Rio
Grafitti(19)
Rio & Salvador
The City (38)
Salvador
Carnaval (16)
in Salvador
The Food(21)
Brasil
Funny Brasil (19)
Rio & Salvador
The Girls+1(21)
Brasil
B&B in Rio (15)
WHAT WOULD I DO IN BRASIL WHEN I RETURN?
Visit Sao Polo and more of the rural / visit towns.
Take a drumming course (when in Rome!)
Celebrate Carnaval in smaller towns and/or go to a Carnaval Ball in Rio
