the last photo

Rio ~ and home

Five days to discover the delights of Brazil as seen from Rio de Janeiro; a tall order, and one we didn't really attempt to achieve.
Travellers and guides frighten you beforehand with the dangers of the street, violence and poverty, but maybe we are less aware of it, or stupid, but Rio for us felt quite safe when we ventured out.
Gloria was our area, walking distance from the centre, but Rio is spread out over miles, I think one of the most beautiful city landscapes we have seen anywhere, a city rolling through hills and bays, dominated by Christ the Redeemer and the Sugarloaf. Best in the sunshine, it was often drizzly or grey when we were there, and so close up, slightly disappointing: the romance of Copacabana or Ipanema was for me no more than I find in an average concrete shopping centre; mmmmm....
Highlights tho' was to find myself in the creative heartland of Roberto Burle Marx, landscape architect, artist, ceramicist, sculptor etc. A joy for Jackie to discover also. To wander over the lawn at the Museum of Modern Art was as exciting as one can imagine, and I blagged my way to the roof of the Marriott Hotel to picture the sidewalks of Copacabana Beach. For four hours we bussed through the very dodgy northern suburbs to visit his farm and home - a perfect culmination to this year of inspiration searching! By the time I was visiting the Botanical Gardens in the city, two days before we left, I was starting to feel so full of new ideas, plants and thoughts, there was nowhere to put it all!

A great night out was had courtesy of Raul and Natalie, friends of friends, in true Brazilian style: drinks, food, and a head pounding reggae gig. A last weekend staying in luxury at the Hotel Gloria, but, by now, we wanted to go home. Yes, back to Blighty, family and friends!

Santiago

Postcard from Buenos Aires...

Wish U were here!

This place is fantastic!

Where men are gentle and women are ladies; a city locked in a beautiful era it cannot afford to leave. A tango culture which is real and vibrant, where everyone enjoys the beat of the street.

The ultimate long weekend where silver service wine and dinner leaves change from a ten pound note, glorious facades peer down at you from every angle of the road, art nouveau and art deco still resplendent, if somewhat dusty...

Ole!, we murmur approvingly to the raw pulsating Flamenco dancers and guitars on a black and white stage; Ole! as we stumble over the heaving paving stones that line San Telmo's curious but glorious past; Ole! as we turn the corners of Cementerio de la Recoleta to view the marble facade of Evita's resting place.

We didn't even get to the football, but Buenos Aires is fun, cheap, civilised, safe and beautiful...

a weekend treat: pop on down when you can!