Parque Luz in Sao Paulo, Brazil

We visited a nice city park in Sao Paulo near the art museum. A canary feasts on a "jack fruit".

Darrell stands by the "necklace" tree.

We are traveling with 3 couples we have met from the ship - they are all from the Las Vegas area. (Wonderful folks - Rick and Diane Bold; Rich and Lee; Bob and Janet)

Sao Paulo, Brazil - Tropic of Capicorn, Cathedral and Praca da Se

One of the 2 largest cities in the world!! Concrete Jungle redefined! We are traveling on Oceania Insignia to Santos, Brazil - quite a large city and traveling into Sao Paulo - less than 1 hour away.

Our first stop is the Cathedral Metropolitana. Neo gothic and Renaissance. In the plaza in front of the cathedral is the marker for the Tropic of Capricorn which transects Sao Paulo.

Copacabana & IpanemaBeach, Rio

We enjoyed strolling on Copacabana and Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janiero. The dragon tooth side walk is also found all along the beach front in Rio!

Oceania Insignia

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Our home for a few weeks - Oceania Insignia! This is our 6th cruise on Oceania. We board the ship in Rio de Janerio, Brazil for 22 days traveling to Antarctica then finishing in Santiago, Chile.

The Port of Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s third busiest port in terms of cargo volume, and it is the center for cruise vessels. It is located on the west coast of the Guanabara Bay. It has dock space for up to five cruise ships.

Pier Maua port is where cruise ships are docked. The port of Rio de Janeiro is nearby the district of Praca Maua. There are no services around the port because it is a working cargo port. It is within a long walking distance to town, but it is not advisable to walk in the area of the port at night. Praça Mauá becomes a somewhat seedy red-light district in the evening.

Seleron - in Santa Teresa, Rio

The artist - Seleron - lives in the Santa Teresa area. He has made his life's work into creating a moasic staircase which flows down the hillside. He has a workshop and sells his drawings and paintings.

Views from Santa Teresa in Rio

One important part of the city of Rio de Janeiro is Santa Teresa - home to wonderful views of the city as well as chic neighborhoods. It has a similar feel of San Francisco. This is one of the high end locations for real estate. But then - it has views of a favela Rocinha - the slums that cling to the side of the mountains in Rio. The favelas have infrasturcture - running water, sewer, electricity - but no roads. They have their own political system. But they are notarious for gang activity. Rocinha has over 150,000 residents.

MAC - Museum of Contempory Art, Rio

It looks like a flying saucer about to lift from the bay - it is the Museum of Contempory Art! The venue sits on a point on the bay in Niteroi at Boa Vigem. The museum is an architectural delight constructed by Oscar Niemeyer. Niemeyr is very famous in Brazil and has designed several many important buildings. He is still alive - almost 100 and still working.

Village - Indigenous Peoples of Brazil - Curucirari

We visited a small village of indigenous peoples of Brazil. The village is positioned on the end of a lovely beach. They have been crowded out of all the city of Rio de Janerio. The village produces some crafts to sell and has a school for the children.

The bay of Rio de Janeiro

Multiple little mountain islands dot the bay of Rio de Janerio. Wonderful views of the beautiful city are everywhere. These photos are from Nietiro.

Views from Nietrio, Brazil

Our guide - Rafa - is taking "hang gliding" lessons. We drove to the top of a point in Nietrio to see the school and also to see the wonderful views of Nietrio. Nietrio is a suberb of Rio de Janeiro - just across the bay.

Historic Center - Rio de Janeiro

The colonial Portugese occupied the beginings of the city Rio de janeiro. This plaza was originally the port - but additonal land has been reclaimed from the sea to extend the downtown area. The fountain is Chafariz da Piramide built in 1789. Th Paco Imperial has been the location for many important events in colonial times.

Wonderful visit to Corcovada to the Christ Statue

Wonderful visit to the top of the Tijuca Park to view the city and to see the "Christ" in Rio de Janeiro!

Christ the Redentor - one of the 7 Wonders of the World

The Statue of Christ the Redentor was named one of the 7 Wonders of the World. The "art deco" style featured the outstretched arms of the Christ to bless and welcome people of Rio de Janeiro. The statue towers over the city and is much beloved by Rio citizens "Cariocas".

Christ the Redentor, Rio de Janeiro

The statue of Christ the Redentor is located on Corcovada Mountain and is visible from everywhere in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statue is most recogizable landmark in Rio. The arms of the statue are wide open to bless the people of the city.

View from Tijuca Park in Rio de Janeiro

We are just being silly! Views from Tijuca Park of Sugar Loaf and the Christ Statue. We are with our guide Rafa Torres and a couple from New Jersy - Fred and Margo.

Sugar Loaf Views from Corcovada

We are in the Tijuca Park overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro. Views of Sugar Loaf and the Christ statue are in the background.

Teatro Municipal - Opera House in Rio de Janeiro

The Teatro Municipal - home of the Rio symphony. Located in Praca VX - the heart of the historic center.

Santa Theresa, Rio de Janerio

One more photo of the very colorful moasic tiles on the steps in Santa Theresa in Rio de Janeiro. The artist - Seleron. We are touring for the day with Margo and Fred Rosen from New Jersey. Our guide is Rafa Torres - wonderful job of taking us all around the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro!

Seleron's moasic steps in Santa Teresa

Funky!! Such a bright corner of Rio de Janeiro! The artist Seleron continues to add moasic tiles to the steps linking the steep streets of Santa Teresa section of Rio!