Jun 2007

We had a great time in Rio thanks to our guide Dolores. She showed up on Thursday with her silver buggy
which is great when the weather cooperates but a bit more problematic when it is pouring rain as was the case the next day. On Thursday morning we visited Ipanema on our own
and then had a tour of the city including the Sugar Loaf at sunset (thanks to perfect timing by Dolores)

On Friday, we traveled to Christ the Redeemer which was "shrouded" in the clouds (Geez, this statue is big!)

then traveled through the Tijuaca National Forest and then along the southern coast to the Grumari area where we had a terrific Brazilian seafood lunch.

Now, you are ready for the movie!

We are in Rio this morning. Yesterday we concluded our time in Iguassu Falls with two visits: At the Itaipu dam and hydroelectric plant and at the bird park.

The Itaipu hydroelectric plant is the largest in the VVORLD! providing 25% of the electricity to Brazil (180 million people) It cost $12 Billion in 1982 when it was completed. The plant sits exactly between Brazil and Paraguay and during the in-depth tour we must have crossed the border 20 times... Here you see Sveta on the Brazil side and I on the Paraguay side... The next pic is that of a generator shaft which by itself produces enough electricity for 1.5 million people, simply using the power of the water flowing down the Parana river...

After lunch, we visited the Iguassu Falls bird park where we were able to get pretty close to the animals...

A big day today. Following a 1-hour walk onthe Brazilian side of the falls (very panoramic views), we took a rapid boat trip up the river over the rapids and literally under the falls where we got soaked...

Here is the big movie:

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The in the afternoon we had a great eco-tour consisting of
[list]
[*]A 9 km bike ride in the subtropical jungle
[*]a walk to an observation tower overlooking a lake
[*]a boat ride upstream of the falls
[*]a 30-min kayak ride
and the return in jeep.

A big thanks to our great private guide Oliveira (Oliver) Daizi (45) 3027 4023 oliveira.daizi@bol.com.br

Last night we went to eat at the famous Bufalo Branco restaurant.
Likely the best place in the city for churrasco (grilled meat) according to Frommer's guide. For the main course, waiters offer a range of popular cuts such as picanha (rump steak), alcatra (top sirloin), filet mignon, maminha (a fattier rump steak), and contra filet (entrecôte).

Sveta was a little more adventurous. She tried all of the above and also the delicious... grilled turkey testicles... what a treat... Jordan was not quite as impressed...

Good Evening,

This is Sveta with a summary of Today; June 25th, 2007.

The day started nice and early at 8:00 am with a drive to the Argentinian boarder to the town of Iguassu. This is the location of the "famous" Iguassu Falls.

These falls ranged from massive water falls to little streams. The largest of the falls was called "the devils throat". Local natives called it this because they believed that this was the location of the end of the world.

On our through the forest, we encountered local wildlife. Monkeys, local raccons, and all types of birds wandered through out the park.

That about sums up the events that took place today.

Ciao...

P.S> A big thanks to our great private guide Oliveira (Oliver) Daizi (45) 3027 4023 oliveira.daizi@bol.com.br

This is it. First day on the road, After three flights without problems, we arrived in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil where we were met by our guide Oliver. We stopped at out hotel for a few minutes and then decided to go to a local football game where we had a great time...

As an added treat before our departure, Jordan and I went to see the Doobie Brothers at Wolf Trap in Vienna, right around the corner from us. What a treat it was. The baby boomers around us were amazed that Jordan was dancing and singing to all the Doobie Brothers tunes he knows and loves. It's too bad the video police took the sound away on the clip below...

Ten days to go before we leave and the anxiety is quite palpable. There are so many things to do before we leave! Like stocking up on meds, getting our clothes clean and ready. I am now traveling with a check list on me at all times... and every time I cross something off the list, two more things are added...