Rio de Janeiro is a huge seaside city in Brazil, famed for its golden beaches, lush mountains, iconic landmarks and sprawling favelas. There is really no other place quite like the fun loving city of Rio. With the recent World Cup and upcoming Olympics, the city is drawing more people to its shores than ever before. Here is the breakdown of our trip to Rio:
Travel involves a lot of uncertainty, where things like cancelled flights or theft can really put a damper on your vacation. Some things are out of your control – like weather, while others just require some common sense. Don’t let Rio’s reputation for being unsafe deter you from visiting this beautiful city. However, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t draw unwanted attention to yourself. Based on our experience, we put together a short list of things NOT to do: Continue reading
Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam
This picture really captured the scene for me with a mystical quality that makes the seascape looks like a watercolor painting. Designated a World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay archipelago is made up of around 2,000 islands of various sizes. It is well known for its towering limestone pillars rising out of the emerald water as seen above. Arguably, one of Vietnam’s most famous and stunning locales, it attracts many visitors each year. For two days, we cruised around the bay, appreciating my country’s natural beauty.
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Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest cities in South America, known for many things: its world famous beaches, magnificent natural landscapes, and its iconic landmarks. This sprawling metropolis has everything you’ll need for a good time. Naturally, we were excited and looked forward to our first trip to Brazil. We booked months in advance and planned out all the places we wanted to see. Unfortunately all of that planning did not ensure a drama-free trip as we found out that our flight was canceled two hours before take-off and rescheduled to the next day – our already short trip became even shorter. When we finally made it there, we were greeted with crappy weather. Ironically, it rained every single day that we were there during the hottest and driest year in the country’s recent history. Even with all the problems, we still had a great time. Here are a few things that we did and a few things that we didn’t get to do due to weather:
New York City, USA
This picture was taken last year after one of the many snow storms in the New York area. The ground was blanketed by a fresh layer of soft white powder making everything shiny and bright again. The busy promenade at Bryant Park was uncharacteristically quiet. This year, however, the weather has been pretty mild. It’s already the end of February, and there haven’t been too many cold days which makes me optimistic that spring will come earlier.
Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.
As well as being known for its natural beauty and iconic landmarks, Brazil is also known for its many favelas. A favela is a slum in that exists within the urban areas of big cities, often carved out of a hillside overlooking the rest of the city. There are over 700 favelas in Rio alone, housing about 1.1 million people – about 1/6th of the general population.
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ayutthaya, located about 80 km north of Bangkok used to be a bustling Siamese capital. After it was attacked and destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century, it was never rebuilt. Nowadays, the sleepy market town stands as an archeological site with many ruined temples and palaces that give visitors an idea of its past splendor.
Walking around the courtyards, we encountered many headless figures of Buddha adorned in orange silk, sitting serenely under the shade. The heads were lopped off by looters after the city was destroyed and left defenseless and sold to private collectors. At Wat Phra Si Sanphet remain the three grand chedis that are believed to contain the relics and ashes of Ayutthaya’s greatest rulers. This photo was taken at the top of the steps of one of the temples.
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In Rio de Janeiro, street art can be found everywhere from the walls of the favelas to buildings in upper class neighborhoods. The graffiti and artwork are both bold and diverse. The ever-evolving Brazilian street art scene was further fostered by a law that was passed in 2009 that decriminalized graffiti. Like many other cities around world, street art in Brazil is completely legal if done with the consent of the owner. Continue reading
Rio is often known for its gorgeous beaches and natural attractions, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t try the amazing food. It’s normal to over-indulge when you visit Brazil. The country’s rich history and diverse culture results in a mix of cuisine with flavors influenced from Africa, Portugal, and Japan. The city’s unique atmosphere makes the eating and drinking experience even more enjoyable. It’s no surprise that the people here love to eat, especially meat. From street food to traditional BBQs to upscale restaurants, there is a place to suit every palette. The meals in Rio can be long drawn out affairs with many side dishes. The remarkable thing is how everyone manages stay fit after so much food! Based on our short stay, here are a few places to eat and drink in Rio:
Ballintoy, Northern Ireland
Just a few miles from Giant’s Causeway is another must-see sight in Northern Ireland: the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge. The bridge links the mainland to the small island of Carrick-A-Rede, originally erected by salmon fisherman to get across the rocky chasm. It takes a bit of nerve to cross the suspension bridge when it swings and shakes on a windy day. On the way, there are wonderful vantage points to stop and take in the natural beauty of the coastline. The coastal path leading to the bridge offers stunning views of the cliff and the Scottish Isles.
Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.
life after 9to5 