By Bwana_Dik on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 10:16 pm: Edit |
Sure, you came for the sex, but Rio has so much more to offer. In Rio you can have your cake and eat it too, so try to enjoy the sights. Among the things you must do at least once: take the train up to the top of Corcovado, take the cable lift up to the top of Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf), visit the Jardim Botanico, take a long walk in the Tijuca Forest (which contains a rain forest and lots of interesting wildlife), visit the "Hippie Fair" in Ipanema on Sunday, watch a sunset from the Arpoador Rocks or from the top of the hill in Garota de Ipanema Park, eat feijoada at the Casa de Feijoada in Ipanema, rent a bike and ride along the ocean on Sunday when the main beach roads are closed and all of Rio seems to take to the streets, visit a "rodizio" style churrascaria (Marius or Porcao are my favorites), visit a samba school or go to a samba show (Platforma is a little touristy, but the show is great), take a "favela tour" and see how many Cariocas actually live their lives, go to Maracana (Brasil's shrine to soccer) and watch Brasilieros pursue their national passion, visit one of the big shopping malls (Rio Sul or Barra Shopping) and watch Brasilieras pursue their national obsession. The list could go on and on. The point is, you'll actually have more fun if you dig deep and taste all that Rio has to offer.