Day 6: Lapa & Guanamara Bay

Up at 10:30am, after our late night at the Gay Ball, Joanne and I headed off to Lapa. As we exited the taxi we noticed a small group of tourists, and a lady holding a "free walking tour" sign. So, we jumped in! It worked out fabulously, as our first stop was at the main attraction, "the steps."

In the past, this particular area of Lapa was full of drug dealers and addicts. A man named Escadaria lived in a house along the stairs. He wanted to make it nicer, so he placed a colorful tile in front of his house. All of his neighbors said, "Escadaria! It look so nice! You should do more!" But he said, "I am just a poor man. I cannot afford more tiles." So they said, "We will help you!" So the neighbors found a few tiles, and word spread, so other people in the area would bring him tiles, and then travelers would offer tiles, etc, etc. Tourists would come see the stairs and then go home and mail him tiles. Over time he created these beautiful tiles stairs, with the tiles not only covering the whole stair case (about six levels), but the sides, as well as the telephone poles, etc. Numerous tiles have countries flags or emblems on them. It is really quite neat!


We continued on the free walking tour, getting history about Brazil, seeing some old and important buildings (including Theatre and Fine Arts buildings designed to look like those in Paris). It was really quite informative, and we were both so glad we stumbled upon the tour. It ended on a colonial street, where we saw some of the oldest buildings/houses in Rio de Janeiro (sorry, too busy playing with the Good camera... Forgot blog photos!)

We then headed back to the hotel, where we met Mom and went for lunch. We had some delicious cod cakes, and some orange chicken with sautéed vegetables.

Back to the hotel to meet the group for a sunset cruise of Guanamara Bay. We were a bit upset at the drink selection offered, but, like the dedicated drinkers we are, we made do with gin :) It was certainly a neat perspective to see the shoreline from the water. And I couldn't believe all of the boats out past the big bridge! Navy boats, tankers, cargo ships... So many, that you couldn't see from the shore.

For dinner we went with Kat and Wade, both traveling solo, to a wonderful restaurant on Botafago beach overlooking the water; it came recommended from a local guide. Unfortunately there was no buffet tonight, but we just ordered individual plates and had a great evening talking about past and future travels.



Joanne and "Momma Sue" dancing after dinner... Such a lively bunch!

Back to the hotel at 10pm to pack... I can't believe Rio is over already!

Off to the Pantanal tomorrow :)
(The worlds largest inland wetland)