Unidos da Tijuca Samba School is already in the “full power rehearsal “mode, for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival. The traditional Samba School from the Tijuca district was founded in 1931 by Bento Vasconcelos, Leandro Chagas, and Alcides de Moraes and is Brazil´s third oldest major Samba School. The school that has as its main colors the gold yellow and the blue, is practicing for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Samba parade, and will have the space odyssey as its carnival theme. The official title for Unidos da Tijuca Carnival Parade Theme for 2009 will be “Uma odisséia sobre o espaço” or “One Space Odyssey”, having Luis Carlos Bruno as the schools Carnival Art Director.



The traditional samba school already chose its samba theme lyrics, composed by Julio Alves and Totonho, which describes a possible intersection between moon, stars, comets and the magical journey of carnival. The beauty and joy of Tijuca´s Samba School is reflected into space and the infinity, turning possible this imaginary voyage. Please read below the Samba lyrics.

2009 Unidos da Tijuca Samba Lyrics: Space Odyssey

“Dourado é o sol a clarear
No azul do céu, estende o véu, isso é Tijuca
Chegou, na cauda do cometa, o pavão
E a minha estrela foi buscar na imensidão
Cruzou o céu no limiar do infinito
O meu Borel visto de cima é mais bonito
Eu vou alçar ao espaço
Cavaleiro alado a desvendar
Além das estrelas o monte de Zeus
Horizonte de meu Deus, Oxalá

Vai Tijuca, me faz delirar
A essência vem de lá
Da ciência à navegação
Luar que embala meu sonhos
Luar de qualquer estação

Eu vi brilhar, em seu olhar, a devoção
A lenda do guerreiro e o dragão
O despertar da fantasia
Vi também a criança em seu carrossel
De heróis das estrelas, um céu
De mistérios e magia
Na tela, tantas jornadas pelos astros
Quem dera poder viver em pleno espaço
Vejo em minha lente a imagem sideral
Viagem do meu Carnaval

A nave vai pousar
E conquistar seu coração
O dia vai chegar
Quando brilhar nossa constelação”



Unidos da Tijuca is rehearsing for the 2009 carnival parade at the “Clube dos Portuários”. The club is very large and is conveniently located closed to the Rio Bus Station. Everyone is invited to visit the rehearsals which happen every Saturday from October 2008 to the beginning of the 2009 Rio Carnival. The official date for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival is February 21st through 24th. The Unidos da Tijuca Samba School rehearsal starts generally at 11:00 PM, every Saturday and ends at 5:00 AM. The samba rehearsal is an excellent way to start getting acquainted with the Brazilian Carnival. At the rehearsals, you can listen the impressive power of the drum section, with more than 40 percussionists.



You will also be able to watch the beautiful choreography of the samba school flag bearer and mater of ceremony, swiftly dancing through the samba court, presenting the school´s flag and tradition. Another interesting activity is the samba dance itself, performed by community dancers. During these dry runs, community members and invitees take the opportunity to practice the samba routine steps. Finally, all members at the rehearsal practice the singing of the samba parade theme lyrics, so everyone is in tune with the official interpreter and drum section. Tickets are sold at the entrance, and admittance price is charged at R$ 10,00 - R$ 20,00. Please see below map to the Tijuca´s rehearsal facilities: The address for UNIDOS DA TIJUCA`S SAMBA REHEARSAL is:

Quadra: Clube dos Portuários – Av. Francisco Bicalho, 47 – Santo Cristo. The best way to there is to get a taxi from your place. It should not be more than R$ 30,00-45,00. Surely, this location is the closest from all samba schools rehearsals.




So don´t miss this great opportunity to join the true Rio de Janeiro samba world. Visit Unidos da Tijuca samba´s practice sessions. We are sure you will have loads of fun. Carnival in Rio is magical cultural and healthy. Visit Rio, visit Brazil!

Today we will be inaugurating a new blog category within the Belavista-Rio Carnival Blog, Legendary Drum Queens in the Brazilian Carnival. It will be devoted to a series of Brazilian muses that participated as drum queens for major samba schools in Brazil. In these series of posts, we will present the muse small biography and a summary of their parade participations within the Rio and Sao Paulo samba schools. The first personality we will post will be actress Juliana Paes.



Short Biography: Actress, former model. Juliana Paes is the typical Carioca Girl. Cover girl for several Brazilian magazines, she is considered the top sex symbol in Brazil. Juliana was also ranked by “People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People" in 2006. Juliana gained famed after successful leading role participations in GLOBO TV soap-operas. She has also done some cinema, musicals, theater plays, and even some fashion shows. As a multi-talented artist Juliana has proven she has more than a gorgeous body.



Samba History: Juliana is perfect example of well established Samba partnership. Being native to the Niteroi region, Juliana chose the Viradouro Samba School to start her samba parading story in Rio de Janeiro. She was elected to be Drum Queen for several years, enjoying great success, both by the São Gonçalo community and Brazil press and media. A great portion of her success as a drum queen is credited to her active involvement with the school. She always took part of most of the technical rehearsals at the samba school headquarters and at the Sambadrome. Juliana was officially announced as the Drum Queen for Viradouro Samba School in 2004, where she maintained the post for five consecutive years through 2008. Important to note that in 2004, her first as Viradouro Drum Queen, Juliana replaced legendary samba muse and sensual icon Luma de Oliveira. That was not a simple task due to Luma´s immense popularity.



In 2009, Juliana alleged that she could not anymore fulfill the drum queen´s roll anymore, because of her tight TV and theater rehearsals’ schedule, but would continue to support the school. On October this year, Juliana passed her crown to newly elected Viradouro Drum Queen: Juliane Almeida. Congratulations Juliana for all your samba passion and charisma!

Most people would agree to say that getting around a city is one of the most important issues when trying to understand our travel destination. Some people consider it fundamental, even when picking for a travel destination. The ideal scenario is to have a thorough notion of the city transport alternatives before your arrival, so you can feel safe and comfortable. This is why we decided to write a basic guide on the public transportation facilities and some important facts about Rio de Janeiro. When do we pick a taxi or ride a bus? How do regular buses look like in Rio? What is the color of the cabs in Rio? How much does an executive bus and average taxi ride cost? What are the transportation options locals prefer? What are the main subway stations used by locals? These are some of the questions you will see answered at this post.


Rio is a large city, but most of what goes on is concentrated within a small area. Just like Manhattan in New York, once in Rio, you do not need to worry about transportation if you follow basic rules. Generally speaking, it is very simple to get around in town, following the shoreline. Most of the places you will ever visit are all within a radius of 15 miles. Rio de Janeiro offers a number of public and private transportation options. These include regular city buses, executive bus (called “Frescao”), subway (metro), taxis, van and even a Ferry service (to Niteroi and other touristic islands like Paquetá). Check out below main transport facilities at the wonder city.





Regular City Bus
Regular city bus in Rio is a very inexpensive form of travel which costs about R$2.10 to ride. They come in both non air conditioned (R$2.10) and air conditioned versions (R$2.25 - R$2.40). In past years, city buses suffered from criminals targeting the passengers but they are safer these days. During the day, it is a decent transportation option if you know the routes and are in safer areas of the city. However, they may not be the best option late at night.

Click on this videoclip link to see a typical ride on the Rio Subway and a regular city bus.

Services operate 24 hours and are relatively safe – incidences of crime are rare, although travelers must exercise caution during rush hour and at night, when pickpockets prey. Tickets are available for purchase from the conductor, who sits next to the turnstile at the back of the bus. See below a picture of regular bus in Rio de Janeiro. Again, try using regular buses day-time with your friends, but don´t carry jewelry or expensive wear.




Executive Bus (Frescao)
There is also another type of local bus called the “Frescao”, which means in Portuguese “very fresh” and commonly used by locals. This type of bus runs on a route from Centro through Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and to Leblon (and vice versa). It is more upscale/comfortable and is air conditioned and costs R$3.50. All Frescaos are have the same visual identity (see below). The Frescão that rides from the Rio International Airport to Barra costs R$ 6.00. However, it is only available during the week. These buses also run more frequently during the rush hours in the morning and evening. Going in the direction of Centro, the bus can be flagged down on the beach road (Buses with plaques showing "Castelo"). Coming from Centro, the bus starts off from the Menezes Cortes garage and runs on a road parallel to the beach (but one or two blocks in). It runs on Barata Ribeiro through Copacabana, Prudente de Morais through Ipanema and Av. General San Martin through Leblon. Well you do have the executive buses going every where in Rio de Janeiro and not just on the rush hours but all the time during week period. It’s a wiser decision to get the executive buses than the regular one, especially if you are a tourist in the city. Prices of the Frescão do vary depending on its route. As an example, it´s not the same price to go Copacabana from the Downtown as to go to Barra da Tijuca or Recreio from Downtown. We strongly recommend this transportation option in Rio: they are very safe, practical and can take you to most places in Rio, including both airports. See below a picture of a Frescão executive bus in Rio.




Rio de Janeiro Taxis/Cabs
Rio has a very extensive taxi fleet which includes yellow metered cabs which can be hailed in the streets, as well as a series of special taxis operated by licensed companies which can be found at the airports, in front of our rental apartment’s buildings or booked by phone. The yellow taxis operate with a meter and can be hailed on the street. The flag, or “bandeira” in Portuguese, indicates the tariff and usually reads ‘1’. However, after 23:00, on Sunday and on holidays the tariff will be ‘2’, which indicates a price hike of about 20%. Taxis are fairly priced, although some late-night drivers might quote excessive fixed prices. Travellers should check that the meter is reset and indicates the correct tariff. The minimum fare is currently R$2.70. Tourists are strongly advised to only use taxis that have an official identification sticker in the window. Cabs in Rio are a very popular choice, even amongst locals. Definitely use them to go home from faraway places, like samba rehearsals, and parties.

See below a picture of a regular taxi/cab in Rio:



Special Taxis
Special taxis – either blue or red – or white, operate from the airports and some specific locations. Payment is by pre-paid vouchers, which are available for purchase at airport kiosks. Radio taxis are safe and reliable but 30% more expensive than yellow taxis. Providers include Central de Táxi (Phone: 21- 2593 2598), Coopertramo and Transcopass (Phone: 21 - 2560 4888). The minimum fare for radio taxis is currently R$ 3.10. Brazilians generally do not tip taxi drivers, although rounding the total fare up to the nearest Real is appreciated. Try to avoid these. We consider this a very expensive option. It is used mainly by executives.


Subway – Metro Rio
Lastly, we will describe the subway system: The “Rio de Janeiro Metro” (Metrô Rio) is a mass-transit underground railway network that serves the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The subways system was founded in 1979 with five stations operating on one line, it now includes 32 stations and two separate lines and serves on average nearly half a million passengers per day. The system currently consists of two lines: Line 1 which serves the city's downtown business center, tourist areas in the city's South Zone, and several neighborhoods in the North Zone; and Line 2, which serves working-class residential neighborhoods extending toward the north.
The price of a ticket is no more than R$2.40. Follows below the stations listed for Line 1 and Line 2 of the Rio Metro Subway System:


Line 1 (Center and South Area )
Saens Pena; Sao F. Xavier; Afonso Penna; Estacio; Praca Onze; Central; Pres. Vargas; Uruguaiana; Carioca; Cinelandia; Gloria; Catete; Lgo. Machado; Flamengo; Botafogo; C. Arco Verde; Siqueira Campos

Line 2 (North Area):
Pavuna; Eng Rubens Paiva; Acari F: Botafogo; Coelho Neto; Colegio; Iraja; V. de Carvalho; Thomaz Coelho; Eng da Rainha; Inhauma; Del Castilho; Maria da Graca; Triagem; Maracana; Sao Cristovao; Estacio.




See above a map of the Rio de Janeiro Subway Stations.

Although the subway system in Rio just doesn't the entire city, it considered to be an excellent service by locals. Metro Rio has been very helpful to reduce the traffic jams and to reach destinations like downtown (e.g. former Itamaraty Palace) or Zona Norte (e.g. Maracana Stadium) in a really short time, in a safe way, and at a cheap price (one-way ticket is 2.40 reais). You should definitely use it to go to the Maracana Stadium. For a full review on Metro Rio´s system, please read this expert review.

As a final note, we would like to re-enforce some basic tips. Generally speaking, prefer to use taxi cabs to get from one place to another, even more when travelling in a group a 3, 4 or 5. They are abundant, fairly cheap and safe. When possible, try to use the executive bus, a.k.a. “Frescao”, especially if alone and from and to the airport. When deciding for regular buses, use them only with locals, during day-time, and carrying no expensive wear. Subway is an excellent facility to the Maracana stadium and city centre: very modern and comfortable. Lastly, try to read a little bit of the neighborhood you are settling in before arriving. See you in Rio!

Much have been said about Rio´s police, but tourists need not to worry. Rarely conflicts reach prime areas such as Rio ´s South Zone. Belavista-Rio wrote a series of Rio Security Tips to make sure you avoid unwanted hassles during your stay. Additionally, we described below the four types of police uniforms in Rio de Janeiro, so you can easily identify them in case you need some help or assistance:


Regular Military Police is in charge for combating the criminal activities and maintaing the public order in Rio de Janeiro. They are dressed in blue and grey uniforms, with black boots, as seen below. The also wear a black vest and white caps. Today, there are over 40.000 Military Police troopers in town, with 39 Battaglions.

See picture below of Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro.



Municipal Guard in Rio de Janeiro is in charge for the supervision of traffic, beach patrolling and minor types of criminal occurrences. They are dressed in a brown uniform; brown pants, khaki shirts and white cap. The Municipal Guard troop doesn’t regularly use fire arms.

See below picture of Municipal Guard of the wonder city.




The third type of policemen found in Rio is formed by the National Force. This elite police is usually called upon special occasions like the Pan American Games, important conferences or presidential visits in Rio de Janeiro. They are easily identified by their camouflage uniform, black fire proof vest, and red berets. See below uniform of National Force:



Finally, the last type of police that can be seen in Rio is the Battalion of Special Operations-BOPE. This elite troop became worldwide famous because of the successful motion picture “Elite Squad”, which portrays some of the activities performed by this hardcore police. They wear a black uniform and are rarely seen close to the tourists’ scene. They can also be identified by their intimidating badge, which has a skull, crossed by 2 guns and a knife. See below BOPE uniform in action:




The Wonder City also has a battalion strictly dedicated to foreign tourists, and is called “DEAT” . The District for Attending to Tourists DEAT is a special branch of the Civil Police and is made up of a Delegate (Superintendent), detectives and clerks responsible for investigating and recording occurrences. The DEAT has its own offices conveniently located in Leblon in front of the Casa Grande and Scala theaters. The District was instituted and the police officers specifically trained to solve incidents involving foreign visitors.

Follow this link to Google Maps to the access this tourist battalion.


Please see address below for DEAT District:


Delegacia de Atendimento ao Turista - DEAT
Address: Av. Afrânio de Mello Franco, s / nº - Leblon
22430-060 Rio de Janeiro – Brasil
Phone: (55 21) 3399-7565 / 69
(55 21) 3399-7457 call center
(55 21) 3399-7562 intelligence service.
Fax: (55 21) 3399-7450

Angenor de Oliveira, “master” Cartola, synthesizes the samba and the Sambista. He was one of the greatest all time samba composers, and helped to create the traditional Rio de Janeiro Samba School Mangueira, choosing its name, colors and destiny. Cartola shortened the distance between samba writers and the middle class of Rio de Janeiro, helping to promote the carnival in the beginning of last century. Cartola´s 100th birthday anniversary this October is definitely an important date to be celebrated and remembered by Carnival community all over the world.

Cartola was born in the Catete district in Rio, on October 11 1908. He moved to Mangueira at the age of 11, and as a child was encouraged by his father to play the ukulele, a small 5 string version of a guitar. He finished grammar school, but decided to drop out when he was 15, after his mother´s premature death. Needing to make a living, he worked as a bricklayer, wall painter, car washer, and even night watchman. Also, for period of time, he had a job as an office boy in a public civil service department. Historians point out he was never able to make a living from samba or carnival, although he was a true composer genius. Cartola has his first album recorded only in 1974, at the age of 65.




Carnival and Samba researcher Ricardo Albin stated; “I already knew Cartola from the Zicartola Bar nights. One evening, I went over the National Radio Station to watch a program honoring singer Marlene. On the way up, the elevator stopped at the floor where the Secretary of Industry and Commerce was. You cant´ imagine my surprise when I saw Cartola greeting the guests – he was the doorman. I managed to take him to the show, where he was honored too. He was the sweetest and most cordial man I have ever met.”


The nickname Cartola came about at the time he worked as a bricklayer. He was a very vain man, and he hated when the cement dust fell on his hair. He managed to get a hat which looked very much like a top hat (cartola, in Portuguese), so his friends at work started calling him Cartola. None of them could imagine that name would be immortalized for ever as one of the greatest samba composer legends of all times.

In 1925, together with life-time song partner Carlos Cachaça, he founded a musical band called “The Arengueiros”. Three years later, The Arengueiros merged with two other existing samba groups to give birth to the traditional Samba School Mangueira, the second official major school in all samba history. This was April 28, 1928. Cartola joined other friends such as Saturnino Gonçalves, Marcelino José Claudino, Francisco Ribeiro, Euclides Roberto dos Santos, and Zé Espinguela, among others to write the samba school´s foundation document. (Deixa Falar samba school formed a few months before Mangueira by songwriters from Estácio and was officially the first major school to be formed. Later, Deixa Falar´s name was changed to Portela Samba School.)

Below we see a brilliant caricature by Leo Martins of legend Cartola, with the Mangueira shirt and a guitar.



Cartola composed samba school Mangueira´s first samba called “Chega de Demanda”, but his reputation spread outside the samba school when singers Mário Reis and Francisco Alves started buying the rights of his sambas. It is important to state that contrary to his partners, Cartola refused to share the song writing, giving in only when it came to the rights of record sales.

Another interesting point of his composing style is that sambas written by Cartola for Mangueira had a melody so beautifully done that they were recorded with many different tempos later on. One of them was “Não quero mais” from 1936, which was sung by Paulinho da Viola in 1973, under the title “Não quero mais Amar ninguém”.

Cartola has already some fame by 1942, having for example, composing songs even to Carmen Miranda. At this date Cartola participated together with others songwriters in a famous recording aboard a ship called “Uruguay”, with conductor Leopoldo Stokowski, who was then visiting Brazil. They were truly making history and as a result of these recordings, two 78 RPM albums were launched by Columbia in the United States. The following year, Cartola formed a band called Conjunto Carioca, and presented shows during one month in São Paulo. Later, he disappeared mysteriously from the musical scene, probably due to the death of first wife and meningitis he contracted.

What is certain is that in 1956, a casual meeting with journalist Segio Porto in Ipanema, made sure that this part of history of the Brazilian music would not miss one of its main and important chapters. The master of sambas worked washing the cars of rich ladies that had no idea he had written “As Rosas Não Falam” – “The Roses don’t Speak”, “Acontece”, “Corra e olhe o Céu”, “O mundo é um moinho”, “Autonomia”, “Minha” , “Tive Sim”, “Amor proibido”, “Ciência e Arte”, and so many other samba treasures. Sérgio then took him to sing at the Mayrink Veiga radio station, one of the most traditional at the time.

By 1961, Cartola has already met his second wife, Eusébia Silva do Nascimento, a.k.a. Dona Zica, and was again living at the Mangueira community. In 1963, he decided to open a bar, which was called Zicartola and lasted only for two years. The bar however was crucial to the revival of samba, since it became an important cross-section and meeting area between Rio rich south zone intellectuals, and songwriters from the creative north zone and Mangueira itself. Following this moment, Cartola and some of his songwriters friends like Zé Keti, Nelson Cavaquinho and other were able to promote their talent and songs outside the Mangueira limits, and recorded too their first albums.

Cartola finally recorded his first album in 1974, and in 1976 he released his second album. He had his official debut (after the releasing of his album) at the Gloria Theater and by 1977 he launched the classical album called “Verde que te quero Rosa”, by American Label RCA Victor. By 1979 Cartola recorded his last album called “Cartola – 70 anos”. Cartola died one year later of cancer, November 30th, 1980. Today, Cartola is recognized as more than a legendary founder of Brazilian Samba. Last year, filmmakers Lírio Ferreira and Hilton Lacerda paid a tribute to Cartola through an excellent movie that has his name as the title. The documentary had the participations of some of his friends like Nélson Sargento and musical commentator Nélson Motta. The documentary shows that more than a samba legend, Cartola is eternal and probably the original reference of Brazilian root samba.

Copacabana Rio de Janeiro 4 Bedroom Rentals: Rio de Janeiro is the spot if you are looking for sun and sweet days!

This precious Rio vacation apartment is extremely well decorated with white modern lines. The apartment has 3 ample decor suites, with king-size mattresses, cable TV, new linen, Air conditioning, black-out curtains, and many closets. All suite bathrooms have been recently renovated, with granite tops, fresh mirrors, and classic sink.

The living lounge in this Copacabana Rio de Janeiro 4 Bedroom Rentals looks like a modern 5 star hotel penthouse, with a large flat screen TV, leather furniture, and an easy to clean floor. All rooms have shut –out screens to avoid excessive light in the morning.



The kitchen has new appliances, (oven, brand new refrigerator/fridge, stove, micro-wave, etc) granite worktop, stainless steel sink, and all utensils a top gourmet would need. Everything in this 4 bedroom rentals is chic and practical.

Parking spots are also available. 24 hour doorman. This Copacabana Rio de Janeiro 4 bedroom rentals is perfect for a family or a few couples in honeymoon. This is truly of the best vacation beach rentals you will ever find in Rio de Janeiro in terms of luxury.



Relax in the worldwide Copacabana beach. Relax in Brazil ! We are sure this will be one of the best beach vacations of your life!


Apartment in Rio has a brand: Belavista-rio Rentals!

This is the ultimate 5 bedroom rentals in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Looking for a perfect spot for spending your New Year Vacation or Brazilian Carnival, you just found it!

This movie star Copacabana Penthouse is located at beachfront of worldwide famous Copacabana Beach. All built in Italian marble, this duplex penthouse has a singular panoramic view to all of Copacabana waterline, Christ the Redeemer, and the oceanic islands of Rio. You can even see Niteroi at the other side of the bay.



This Copacabana mansion has two dining rooms, a formal dining room for 20 persons, a convivial dining room with furniture designed by Philippe Starck for 10 persons, a salon with panoramic view on Copacabana beach and Atlantic Ocean. This 5 bedroom rentals in Rio de Janeiro also has chairs and tables designed by the French architect Le Corbusier, a TV salon with TV plasma Sony and home cinema Sony. Two junior suites ( Samba suite and Carnival suite ), two masters suites ( Bahia suite and Ipanema suite ), one presidential suite ( Copacabana suite). Each suite has its own marble bathroom and a completely new air conditioning system.


This 5 bedroom rentals in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro also offers you a private swimming pool in blue marble (5 meters large x 12 meters long) with a panoramic view on Copacabana beach and Atlantic ocean. The terrace of the swimming pool is furnished with double sun beds, like at Nikki beach in Saint Tropez or Marrakech.

On the terrace of this 5 bedroom rentals penthouse you will also find a barbecue and a pizza oven for lunch or parties.

The kitchen is completely new with all modern equipments.

This 5 bedroom rentals penthouse offers you a free access to internet Hi Speed with the largest capacity available 2 x 8 Megabits = 16 Megabits and cable TV network.



Two maids and a coordinator ( English, Portuguese and Spanish speaking ) will help you to facilitate your stay in Copacabana Terrace and in Rio de Janeiro.

On request : before your arrival, you can order to us all the beverages, foods and products you need. It will be delivered at your apartment from a supermarket and we do not take any fees or commission on this complimentary service. We offer to you the same service with dry cleaning.

All the apartment suites in this 5 bedroom rental have comfortable king or queen sized beds with linen and things. This penthouse went through a long renovation, in order to modernize internal structures, as well as decor.

Maid and butler available, along with 4 parking garage spots.

This exclusive ultra luxury 5 bedroom rentals in Rio de Janeiro at the Copacabana beach was definitely molded for celebrities like yourself. Please inquire us since we have other 5 bedroom rentals.

Stay in an apartment in Rio! We are sure this will be one of the best beach vacations of your life!


Apartment in Rio has a brand: Belavista-rio Rentals!

Ipanema Best Restaurants

Ipanema may be for Rio de Janeiro what Tribeca or Soho represents for Manhattan, guarded, obvious geographic and cultural differences. Even within Brazil, the neighborhood famed by the lovely song "The Girl from Ipanema", is a synonym for new trends, fashion, and eclecticism. To a certain extent, Ipanema may be microcosm of the colorful Rio character itself. Although Ipanema is a relatively small district, being the strip of land between the Ipanema Beach and the Rodrigo De Freitas Lagoon, the neighborhood and world famous beach also show diverse identities. Ipanema is home to several tribes that live in a harmony: the tourists, the surf crowd, the rich and famous, the new hippies, the jocks, the gay friendly, and the typical local Ipanema resident. Anthropological analysis apart, Ipanema hosts some of the most exotic and sophisticated restaurants in Rio de Janeiro. Within a few blocks, one can try the Latin taste of the trendy Pecado, which literally means Sin, in the heart of Ipanema, or decide for a softer tone at the seafood specialist Satyricon. Ipanema has more than fifty fine restaurants, bars, "botecos", coffee shops, juice bars and ice cream parlors. We reproduced below a few Ipanema restaurant reviews so that the international tourists will have an idea of what to expect. Please read below some of the options we prepared for you:

Doce Delícia

Make your own dish by choosing from 5 to 15 of the 42 combinations of vegetables, side dishes, hot dishes, and fruit at Doce Delícia. Quiche, salmon, grilled tenderloin, chicken, and cold pasta are some of the choices. Dressings range from the light and yogurt based to innovative creations combining mustard and lemon. There are plenty of vegetarian options. The slick decor and fresh ingredients make this a popular choice for a regular clientele in the trendy area of Ipanema. For a reasonable price you can also pick main dishes from the menu -- for example, the chicken breast with honey and rosemary sauce for R$17. Another hit at Doce Delícia is its rich pre-beach breakfast.



Above, a picture of the hot and sexy Pecado restaurant.

Esplanada Grill

The Scene

On a well-manicured shopping street in central Ipanema, four short blocks from the beach, this impeccable Brazilian steakhouse is a magnet for celebrity diners and highbrow carnivores. Known for its distinguished patrons and prized kitchen, the dining room features wall-to-wall photographs of semi-famous patrons and the bewildered Hollywood celebrity inundated by flashbulbs. The dark-paneled main room features tightly arranged wood tables with leather-cushioned club chairs surrounded by picture windows overlooking the surrounding neighborhood. Esplanada Grill is surprisingly formal given the more casual nature of Rio, especially Ipanema. Patrons should expect a dress code of long pants and sleeved shirts in the evening, with slightly more liberal requirements for afternoon lunch.


The Food:

A prompt waiter welcomes diners with a two-handed selection of complimentary appetizers including warm breads, artisan cheeses and traditional yucca flour. The menu at Esplanada Grill features Brazilian steakhouse specialties and hearty appetizers perfect for sharing. Meals begin with market fresh salads as well as small-plate seafood specialties like grilled octopus and calamari or jumbo shrimp cocktail. If you're a vegetarian you're probably in the wrong place, as main courses are a meaty symphony of kilo-sized fillets, porterhouses and double T-bones. Meats are presented on a signature iron grill, seared to perfection and normally on the rare side of medium. Esplanada Grill ´s desserts are a more predictable presentation of house cakes, ice creams and baked goods.


Gero

Rogerio Fasano, one of Sao Paulo's gastronomic legends, opened this Italian eatery—his first restaurant in Rio. Socialites, artists and political bigwigs flock to Gero in Ipanema, to savor such specialties as partridge and radicchio risotto or white polenta with squid. Daily for lunch and dinner. Vegetarian options are plentiful. Typical Italian desserts served include gelato and profiteroles. Gero is located at the more expensive end in this part of town but justified entirely

Below we see a shot of Gero, close to the Ipanema Beach.



Guimas

Guimas is restaurant where real Cariocas hang out. Guimas opened their original restaurant at the Gávea district, which became a reference for Rio gourmet fans in terms of quality and style. Later, the owners opened another unit in Ipanema, maintaining the Rio´s lassie-faire culture. Guimas Ipanema´s most successful dishes are the trout with leeks and the honey-roast duck with pear rice. Both move smoothly with the superfine caipivodcas (caipirinhas made with vodka instead of cachaça). The small but cozy open-air restaurant attracts a more colorful mix of diners as the night progresses.

Gula-Gula

For a lighter and healthier meal or snack, stop in at Gula-Gula. The menu includes delicious fresh salads such as the caprese -- a layered tower of sliced tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella – “the salada da casa” with mixed greens, pumpkin, goat cheese, and crisp bits of Parma ham, or the more Brazilian palm-heart salad with turkey and pineapple. Gula-Gula also serves a variety of grilled meats, chicken, and fish. Each selection of meat comes with a choice of sauce and two side dishes (vegetables, potatoes, or salad). Other lunch or light dinner options include pasta, quiches, and sandwiches. The Ipanema location has a lovely sidewalk patio. For dessert, you can try some of the low-cal options, but to live up to the name (gula means gluttony in Portuguese) it behooves you to try a “banana crème brûlée” or fruit strudel. Please note that Gula-Gula is a chain and there are several restaurants spread out over Rio de Janeiro. This review is related to the Ipanema unit. By Frommer´s Review.


Madame Butterfly

Considered one of the most sophisticated and expensive Japanese restaurant in Rio, Madame Butterfly is a must for Japanese food lovers, and was elected best in its category by gourmet specialists, rivaling with Sushi Leblon. Located at the heart of Ipanema, the food in Madame Butterfly is superb, and the highlights are the fish with shimeji mushrooms in ginger and sake sauce, the many different types of sushi and rolls with unusual shapes. Main dishes include grilled salmon with honey and miso, and the best sukiyaki in Rio. The restaurant occupies two floors, with a dining room located in the first floor and reserved booths upstairs. Valet parking is provided.



Above, the modern facace of the seafood master restaurant in Ipanema, Satyricon.


Satyricon

Famous for being international celebrities’ choice like Madonna and Sting, Satyricon in Ipanema is considered one of the top sea-food restaurants in Rio, if not number 1. The pargo (fish baked in a thick layer of rock salt) is the house specialty, and the sushi and sashimi are also well loved. Satyricon´s menu features were recently expanded offering several fish capriccios. When the season is right, try the fresh lobster with tagliatell. The service in Satyricon is usually excellent and it has a nice ambience. Although the restaurant has a reputation for being expensive, try to waive off the couvert and don't order drinks or desert and you'll get out of there for a reasonable price. Valet parking is provided.

We hope our readers we able to have a taste of Ipanema´s spice and charm. Ipanema has the true essence of Rio, and unquestionably, several flavors to choose from. So next time visiting Rio, relax and cool down in some of Rio ´s fanciest restaurants at Ipanema.

The Objective of this post is to describe the first Flags of Brazil, during its colonial days:

Order of Christ

Would you be kind enough to translate the following statement? "...1320, da Ordem de Cristo 1ª hasteada em solo brasileiro." The 1320 here apparently refers to a year, as all the other flags have dates of use listed. If that is so, how could this flag have been in Brazil at that time when, if I recall correctly, Portugal first arrived in Brazil in 1500? If I understand correctly, and please comment if you have other thoughts, the web site is trying to state that the "Order of Christ" flag [which was adopted in the year of 1320] was the first flag of Portugal raised over Brazil in the 1500s. That being the case, I could understand that the Order of Christ banner that was 180 years old at the time Brazil was colonized became the first flag in Brazil. Secondly, the flag shown is a red Order of Christ and to my memory all (or most) first flags of Brazil have been golden Order of Christ. Just by reference to later flags of Brazil, the Order of Christ is red, and I believe red is correct. However, there seem to be many golden flags shown in books.



The inscription indeed means "1320, of the Order of Christ. [adding a period, without which this makes no sense] First to be hoisted on Brazilian soil." I think there is some confusion here: Portugal only arrived in Brazil in 1500, but the Order of Christ was founded in 1320 (or something like that). So 1320 doesn't refer to the first time the flag was hoisted in Brazil, but when it was adopted.

The Order of Christ was the main financer and "pusher" of the Portuguese discoveries, the man behind them, Infante Dom Henrique [Prince Henry the Navigator] being a member of the order. Most if not all the ships that sailed to find new lands had members of the order in the crew and sailed under the flag of the order. In fact, the various banners of the order that are mentioned by António Martins were, at the time, nearly the equivalent of what would today be called naval flags or ensigns of Portugal. Therefore, as the British did with their ensigns, it was the banner of the order that was hoisted in the territories claimed for the Portuguese crown. This happened not only in Brazil, but also in the other territories in Africa and Asia. The usual thing, as far as I know, was for the captain of the ship to claim the territory for the King of Portugal and for Christianity--Christianity, naturally, being represented by the Order of Christ. The monuments the Portuguese left in the lands where they landed (called padrões) are a good example of this: they were topped by a cube containing four Portuguese escutcheons with the bezants (quinas) and atop the cube a cross of the Order of Christ.

As far as I know, there is no proper color to the Cross of Christ, but it is usually represented in red.

The Iberian Union, 1580-1640

Between the years 1580 and 1640 was the time know historically as "The Iberian Union". Brazil, was, of course, a Portuguese colony, but in 1580, the Portuguese King Sebastian I died (in a battle in Alcazar-Quebir, Morocco) without leaving children and his closest relative was his cousin Phillip II, the King of Spain, who become king of both Iberian Kingdoms. The Iberian Union lasted until 1640 when the Portuguese finally won a 18 year-long rebellion against Madrid and regained their independence.


From 1624 to 1661, part of northwest Brazil was Dutch Brazil. With the Spanish occupation of Portugal, the Netherlands, traditional commercial partner of Portugal but enemy of Spain, and with interests in Brazilian sugar cane, occupied the provinces of Pernambuco, Paraíba, Ceará, Alagoas, and, in the year 1641, Maranhão. The government of Dutch Brazil was administed by the Dutch West India Company (GWC). The flag used as the local flag of this period was the flag of the company (with the monogram). Today we can seen some Dutch descendants in the Northwest, which is in general a mixed Dutch and Indian people. The presence is noticeable in Paraíba and Ceará.

I am quite curious where you found this image; it differs quite a lot from the flag normally attributed to the Dutch West India Company.
Jarig Bakker, 14 June 2003

The Flag of the GWC was used during the Dutch occupation as the flag of Dutch Brazil and is shown in Clóvis Ribeiro's Bandeiras e Brasões as well as in various Brazilian history books as the "Dutch Brazilian flag."
André Pires Godinho, 15 June 2003

In Vexilla Nostra of March 1973, Karl Fachinger writes that the monogram might stand for CDIM (Companhia das Indias Meridionais), the Portuguese name for the Dutch VOC (East India Company), although he clearly states it isn't more then just a guess. In Vexilla Nostra of October 1973 an anonymous article contends that the monogram could show IMNCVD for Iohan Maurits van Nassau Catzelnbogen Vianden en Dietz. Johan Maurits van Nassau was governor-general of Dutch Brazil (also known as Nieuw Holland) and nicknamed "the Brazilian." Personally I find both guesses not very convincing.



Most histories that I have read give the dates of Dutch control as 1630-1654. See for example this very comprehensive account. (I think the flag image shown on that page is intended only as a generic West India Company flag and not as necessarily depicting what was flown in Brazil.)
Ned Smith, 14 June 2003

1624 is the year Salvador was taken by the Dutch, but the occupation lasted only one year. In 1630 the Dutch came back and conquered the coastal area of Pernambuco. The colony now lasted langer, until 1654 when Recife was taken by the Portuguese without a shot. In 1661 the Dutch rights were sold to Portugal for 8 million guilders.

Principality of Brazil


While Dom João IV was the King of Portugal, his son Teodósio [but see below--ed.], the heir to the throne, received the title of Prince of Brazil. So after 1645, every heir to the Portuguese throne was called "Prince of Brazil" (like the Prince of Wales in the United Kingdom). Thus Brazil became a principality and had its own flag. This flag can be interpreted as a personal ensign of the prince, but nevertheless it is a flag to represent the Brazilian Principality.


It seems to me that this is really a Portuguese flag, not a Brazilian one. F. Pereira Lessa points out in Bandeiras Históricas do Brasil (Rio de Janeiro: Gráfica Guarany, 1940) on page 45 that this was essentially a personal flag of the heir apparent to the Portuguese throne, not a flag to represent Brazil itself--just as the flag of the Spanish Prince of the Asturias is not the Asturian flag and the standard of the Prince of Wales is not the Welsh flag. In addition, as I understand it, designating Brazil a principality did not change the way it was governed, and it would seem this flag probably never flew there.




The Principality of Brazil was created for Teodósio (1634-53), Duke of Barcellos and Bragança and Prince of Portugal, elder son of Joao IV, but he died before his father. So, the Portuguese crown went to his second living brother Affonso, Affonso VI of Portugal.