Less than a year ago I visited Rio for the very first time. We spent two wonderful days there and I saw all the big highlights - Christ The Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Ipanema and Cocacabana Beaches, the favelas, Carnival preparations, Samba schools, and had fun with wild and crazy street parties, pre-Carnival.
So, having two new days this year to spend, I wanted to do something different. Discussing what could be done for a group of us who had previously visited Rio and wanted something different, Marcelo of DoBrazilRight (a fantastic tour company) came up with an all-day trip outside of Rio to Petropolis, the old imperial city. Of course, another great Brazilian meat lunch was included as part of our day.
It is about an hour's ride out of Rio and up into the mountains to Petropolis. It's named after the last emperor of Brazil, Pedro II. A summer palace was built for his family and they enjoyed many years of happiness there. He is buried in the nearby Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara, another place we visited during our trip there.
Our first stop was at the Palacio Quitandinha, which opened in 1942 as a Casino and hotel. At the time, it was the largest casino in South America. But then gambling was outlawed in 1946, so the casino closed but the hotel remained. You could see what a fun place it must have been. The man made lake out front is in the shape of Brazil.
You can see the German influence in the casino/hotel, as well as all over Petropolis, as Pedro hired Germans and their families to come to Brazil and build his city.
The casino's rooms and halls were large and airy, and some rooms are now used as art galleries, with rotating displays by local artists.
Some current artwork
This picture above reminds me of a book I read called The Goldfinch, a fantastic read.
I love this theater, complete with pink seats!
The swimming pool, in the shape of a grand piano.
After visiting the casino, we drove across the lake and enjoyed a great lunch of meats, salads, rice and vegetables. I was totally surprised to see them bring out a skewer full of chicken hearts! My favorite!
This was a first!! Dental floss and mouthwash in the ladies washroom. Really good idea, after a meal of meat. Some people on my tour were grossed out by this and said they'd never ever EVER use that floss. I just used a long piece and didn't use the bottom end, then washed my hands after and used the mouthwash. Not any worse than being on the ship................
Next, we went to the Cathedral, where Dom Pedro II is entombed. Pretty church, nice stained glass windows throughout.
Where Dom Pedro II is entombed.
Our last stop was at the local brewery. We had 3 tastings and took a short tour. Then everyone was very quiet on the return ride home.
This was Ollie's first big outing with me and Snort. I thought they both deserved a brewsky.
We got back to the ship around 7 PM, and it was already dark. I took the opportunity to snap a couple of photos on the way home and around the ship after dark.
I saw this in a shop in the terminal and I was transported back to the 60's and singing the tune: She Wore An Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weeny, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.....
This long lighted building is the Museum of Tomorrow. I had wanted to visit this on our second day (too late on Day 1, it closed at 5 PM), but the museums are all closed on Mondays. Big bummer. I guess I'll just have to come back to Rio one day.
Then, there was a local Samba-esque show put on by local dancers and musicians. It was a 30 minute show, and ended up being about 15 minutes too long, as it was very repetitive. But some of the dancers sure got the attention of the audience........
Her boobs didn't move at all.
The whole cast
This got people to sit up............
On day 2, we took a half day tour in 4x4 jeeps up to the rainforest in the middle of the city. Tijuco National Park. It was pretty and a fun drive, to boot.
It was nice having Carol and Vinny on the same tour!! Vinny flew home later that night, but he'll be back when we get to the Seychelles. Carol's sailing on solo till then.
Monkeys busy devouring a jackfruit.
This ferris wheel was not here last year, our guide told us it just opened a few months ago. It's located quite near the port.
Stay tuned for more Pig Tales!
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