Feb 10 2024

Forte de Copacabana


Praça Coronel Eugênio Franco, 1,
Rio de Janeiro RJ 22070-020, Brazil

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA.

The museum is at the southern end of the Copacabana Beach, and where the Colombo  and Cafe 18 do Fort are. I think most people going there is for the cafes and meals.

The Fort charges a nominal fee to get in and they don’t take credit card. When we asked if USD would do, the guard kindly let us in. Thank you.

The ground is neatly kept. We walked around briefly after lunch. It’s scene.

 


Feb 10 2024

Confeitaria Colombo


… behind me, up the hills, are the shanty town  
Praça Coronel Eugênio Franco, 01,
Rio de Janeiro – RJ 22070-020, Brazil

Def will return.

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA

It’s inside of the Fort Copacabana, with both indoor and outdoor seatings, looking out to the famous beach. It’s a 93 degrees day and we’re very comfortable by the water, with a strong Atlantic Ocean breeze.

The Fort charges a nominal fee to get in and they don’t take credit card. When we asked if USD would do, the guard kindly let us in. Thank you.

(Again, we’re going to survive on credit card here.)

Service is really good but slow, which is fine. The food, oh my, Huge portion and they taste good. We’ve Salmon and pasta salad – look at the size! The green rice is well cooked and yummy (a little saggy tho).

I also tried their yogurt, which is yummy too.


Feb 10 2024

Airport lounge 机场休息室


Amex Centurion @ eze: Terminal B by Gate 19
Buenos Aires

… more pix on Google Maps
refusal at eze

There are many airport lounge networks, most of them run by airlines itself, like Delta, while others run by credit card, such as Amex Centurion, and lounge access program such as Priority Pass.

Many credit cards give you free access to PriorityPass locations. During my younger days, I won’t leave a minute early than necessarily. Now, I’m early by the hour (ok, not the hour, but just leave early, to not have to deal with the stress of running late.) So airport lounges seem a good place to check it out.

… more lounges I’ve used:

  1. DFW: Capital One – my 1st
  2. DFW: Centurion
  3. IAH: Centurion
  4. ICN: Lounge. L
  5. LAX: Centurion
  6. ATL: Centurion
  7. GIG @ Rio de Janeiro – Plaza Premium Lounge
  8. EZE @ Buenos Aire

Amex Centurion Lounge at Buenos Aires‘s eze is my first, when we’re waiting to take our flight up to Rio de Janeiro.

What has gotten to me today? Little Irene wants a burger 🍔 are u kidding me?

Guess not.

At Burger King, I don’t know how to order with the machine. A little frustrated, I said, what the hell, why don’t I go to the Centurion Amex Lounge instead?

The Centurion Lounge is, as usual, decent with all the drinks (soft and hard) and cold food, with a couple of hots. The two tv monitors are showing soccer games. Their policy for Amex users are 3 hours prior to departure.

BUT I’m on connecting flight, which doesn’t fell under this 3-hr rule. The young man repeated his verdict: 3 hour rule, even it doesn’t apply. Poor training, is all I can say.

We’ve a long layover @ eze, so I checked out the other lounges:

  1. Latam @ eze, $45 pp, stay as long as you want (can go in and out)
  2. Aerolineas Argentinas $60 for four hours

一根筋 想吃汉堡
机器下单 自己搞不定 发愁

突然想起 不如去运通休息室吧

以前赶飞机 都是掐着时间 早一分钟都不肯
现在老太婆了 早的以小时计 (没有了 不过差不多…)
以前不会用运通的福利. 现在变常客
可惜现在没什么网球比赛 都是⚽️
吃了喝了 汉堡点了

就等着俺的✈️

国内应该已经吃或者吃完团年饭了
多吃点了吗?想想俺轮流天涯海角的靠汉堡充饥 😜😹

 

 


Feb 10 2024

The Carnival 狂欢节 @ Rio


Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí
R. Marquês de Sapucaí – Santo Cristo
Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20220-007, Brazil

… more pix & videos on Google Maps, Yelp, TA

2024 festival is in February, from Fri 9th afternoon to Wednesday midday, 14th.

The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro / Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro can trace back to 1723. Nowadays, revelers, floats, and adornments from various samba schools (about 200) put up the show at Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, to compete to win. During our stay from 9th to 11th, the streets are filled with dressed up or dress down people (depending on your definition … wink wink ), all in festival moods.

We purchased the tickets online but have to go to a hotel in Copacabana (Copacabana Mar Hotel @ Rua Ministro Viveiros de Castro, 155, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22021-010, Brazil) to pick up the physical one, as if digital tickets couldn’t be issued or produced 脱裤子放屁. Given the fact that even the smallest street vendors, with a few bottles of water have a credit card readers, it’s beyond my believe that The Carnival can’t issue digital tickets.

Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí (Passarela Professor Darcy Ribeiro or simply the Sambódromo) was built in 1984 (renovated in 2012), specifically for the carnival: a narrow and long stadium with seats on either sides.

Uber can’t get to the entrance because of the closed roads. It’s just like any big events, with people, food vendors (definitely less, much less than the major league stadiums in the US), special events areas, securities, garbage removal, …

Sitting there watching the parade, I’m wondering if the stale costumes are made in China. We didn’t go for the Sunday and Monday, which are the most important days because I’m not all that crazy for the carnival. We left during the first intermission. The ultimate winner is Viradouro.

… the gathering on the streets, actually aren’t bad at all, starting from our hotel at Ibis, on the mornings of 10th Saturday and 11th, Sunday:

… on the streets

 

坐下来之前 我们逛了贫民狂欢节 – 在马路边上. 那个脏 乱 … 但是人人情绪高涨. 80年代末我的室友和她男朋友来过. 据男友说 巴西穷困但狂欢节是每年的高潮; 几天落幕后 马上开始准备下一年的. 30多年过去了 从他们那时的照片看 没啥变化. 不知道他们的服饰是不是中国定制的 😂 花车还是几条大汉推的.
Me不来看看会觉得后悔 来了 就觉得 浪费时间. 迪士尼比这聪明绝顶多了.
音乐都是老生常谈.

 


Feb 9 2024

Rio de Janeiro 里约热内卢


My first impression of Brazil’s Rio is very green, eye-catching green 养眼的绿. Hills and waters make the city attractive.

We’re there for the carnival after the Antarctic trip, stay for five days: Feb 9-13. Fly in from Buenos Aires on British Air Boeing 777, taking off at 1:56 and arriving at Rio 4:30pm; and leaving the city on the morning of Tuesday Feb 13. It’s their holidays weekend, everyday has carnival crowds by our hotel and on the streets.

From GIG airport to Ibis hotel downtown we use Uber. As soon as we entered the luggage collection area at GIG, there are at least two taxi services, one with Official title, which charges more than double the price of Uber.

We survived entirely on credit card, and getting around with Uber and taxi. Perhaps it was holiday, dressed up and half naked crowds are everywhere. It’s crowded.

Safety: this is an odd topic. Many friends have warned us to be careful … but I feel very safe at Rio. My philosophy is, travel and life in general should be fun and enjoyable. IF I’ve to wear money belt around my waist and use old iPhone to take photos to avoid being snatched, then that destination isn’t for me.

Language: they speak Portuguese and few people in the service industry speak passable English, with my hand signal and Google translates, it works out just fine.

People: these we come in contact, like in restaurants, cigar bars, are friendly and eager to talk.

Food: large portion, and mediocre quality.

Overall, the city feels third world. Copacabana Palace @ Copacabana Beach is their best hotel. But neither the hotel nor its immediate vicinity feels posh, nothing special… the feel is more like 23rd Street in New York.

The carnival: in 2024, is Feb 9th to 14th. The last Sunday suppose to be the cumulation. We’ve ticket on the last Saturday – I’m not too crazy about carnival to begin with. We went only because our Antarctic ends at the right time – Diana disembarks on Feb 8.


Beaches: Copacabana easily the best, grand and pristine in the morning (evening is another story), and Arpoador, Red and Diabo.

I’ve the best Tanquary and tonic @ MDN, the cigar bar.

San Diego, California … what’s the fixation or fascination with SD? Three Brazilian young men claimed their good English came from their American girl friends, from San Diego, CA. Coincident or they just love/know SD?

My itinerary 

    1. Fri 2.09 BA→Rio: Ibis; Uber; Xian @ SDU/Bossa Nova
    2. Sat 2.10 SennaCopacabanaQuiosque; Colombo @ Forte; the carnival
    3. Sun 2.11 PraçaParis; Sunday markettiles & Santa Teresa; Canton; park; Bota @ BR marina
    4. Mon 2.12 cable carSugarloaf; Clássico Beach Club; Praia Vermelha; Chon KouGarota de IpanemaArpoador/DiaboCafe 18 do Fort; paddle board; MDN cigar
    5. Tue 2.13 BA; murals; Amex Centurion lounges

… murals

 


Rio is very green! 有点灵气 喜欢
Copacabana beach 非常干净 小震撼. 觉得一个国家/地区 不停的讲“素质” 谈 “家风” 那个国家地区一定很糟糕. 这都啥年代了 火箭回收了; AI 大行其道…
小到海滩上的小酒吧都收信用卡 大概是挺不错的城市
娃们真不敢恭维 因为是狂欢节 人人平等男女老幼 各个穿的暴露 啥尺寸 形状都有. 就是没有吉娘娘😂 99% 都不够标准 倒胃口.

坐下来之前 我们逛了贫民狂欢节 – 在马路边上. 那个脏 乱 … 但是人人情绪高涨. 80年代末我的室友和她男朋友来过. 据男友说 巴西穷困但狂欢节是每年的高潮; 几天落幕后 马上开始准备下一年的. 30多年过去了 从他们那时的照片看 没啥变化. 不知道他们的服饰是不是中国定制的 😂 花车还是几条大汉推的.
Me不来看看会觉得后悔 来了 就觉得 浪费时间. 迪士尼比这聪明绝顶多了.
音乐都是老生常谈.

 


Feb 9 2024

SDU airport, Bossa Nova


Praça Sen. Salgado Filho, s/n – Centro,
Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20021-340, Brazil

… more pix n videos on Google Maps

Santos Dumont Airport SDU is the 2nd airport in Rio de Janeiro, named after Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont (1873–1932). It opened in 1973; operates by Infraero since 1986.

Bossa Nova Mall is connected to it, that hosts many shops, eateries, Xian, WeWork, and a hotel. When we got there at 7:30pm for dinner, it was relatively calm. By the time we were leaving around 9:45, it came to live with music and crowds.

 


Feb 9 2024

Ibis @ Rio, Santos Dumont


Sunday, Feb 11, 8:36am

Av. Mal. Câmara, 280 – 1º andar – Centro,
Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20020-080, Brazil

This is a 2-star hotel. It looks nicer online and in photos.

… more surrounding pix on Google Maps, TA

Alberto Santos Dumont (1873–1932) was a Brazilian aviation pioneer. Near the hotel is Rio’s 2nd airport SDU that is named after him.

We booked this in early January and by then, not many hotels were available, due to the carnival, which runs Feb 9th to 14th.

The glitters remain in the lobby, as we’re leaving on Tuesday, Feb 13

It’s in ‘central’ but the surrounding area is rather desolated; except every morning, the dressed up or down carnival crowds gathers by the hotel.

The room is small but functional. The bed and pillow are ok. Shower water pressure is pretty strong, which is good. It provides a mini refrigerator and a safe. Same dirty plates are often left in the hall way for extended time.

  • condensation fm the air conditioner drips, and they never provide an extra towel to absorb it
  • slow elevators
  • room isn’t cleaned every day – no biggie

The bar in the lobby is ok. I didn’t visit restaurant on the first floor. We used Uber or taxi to get around.

the Carnival starts from our hotel – on the mornings of 10th Saturday and 11th, Sunday by our hotel:

 

 


Feb 9 2024

Xian @ Rio


Av. Alm. Silvio de Noronha, 365 – Centro,
Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20021-010, Brazil

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA

Will return.
Pretty surprised to find an Asian restaurant for the Chinese lunar new year eve in Rio. Lunar NYE is when families all gather together to have a huge hearty meal, like the Thanksgiving in the USA.
Xian is in the Bossa Nova mall that’s connected to Rio’s 2nd airport SDU. isn’t far from our hotel Ibis. But it doesn’t seem to be walkable. So we took Uber.
The view out to the Enseada da Gloria is beautiful, especially at sunset. The restaurant is huge, with many sections. We got there at 6:50, must be too early, the restaurant was empty. We sat near the bar, as the sun went down. The service is good. We’ve
  1. The ox rib 
  2. spicy tuna
The big chunk of ox rib is tender but salty. The mushroom rice isn’t fully cooked, and they added some cream. Please pretty please, don’t mess with my rice, just fully cook it with water. (Guess this is hard …). The tuna isn’t fresh. The rice they used is better than the side – the mushroom rice.
https://youtu.be/_VQm9A2-9LM

Feb 8 2024

San Telmo market


Defensa 963
C1066AAQ Buenos Aires

… more pix on Google Maps

This indoor market has NO air conditioning, or it wasn’t on when we were there on a 90° afternoon.

The immediate area is charming, with many little shops, eateries, most of them don’t have air conditioning.

There are many vendors selling stuff door to door (presumably illegally but no one does anything). But I saw this one selling mirrors! Really? Someone will buy a mirror from him?


Feb 8 2024

Plaza de Mayo


Av. de Mayo, C1072 Cdad.
Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

… more pix videos on Google Maps, TA

This is Buenos Aires‘s major square, in the heart of the city, founded in 1884, replacing the Recova building. We passed by here a few times because all the roads lead to it -:). Compare to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, this seems a sesame. But there are many notable monuments and structures around the square:

…The most notable one is their Ministry of Economy / Ministerio de Economía @ Hipólito Yrigoyen 250 / building Palacio de Hacienda modern BA, which is at a corner. I didn’t do any research on it, so don’t know if it’s the office for the country’s current Ministry of Economy … can’t imagine the minister goes to work there every day, it’s like a slum 贫民窟!