“God created the world in six days and on the seventh day, he created Rio de Janeiro” Brazilians sayings
Rio is an awe-inspiring city where impossibly steep granite mountains rise from the ocean between glorious stretches of golden sand. Brash skyscrapers vie for space with impeccable colonial buildings, and lush forests tumble down hillsides into densely populated residential areas.
Its diverse cultures and people live in varying degrees of wealth or poverty. Rich exclusive areas stand in stark contrast and close proximity to the slum areas or favelas. But no matter what their background or economic standing, the Rio's residents are characterized by a passion and enthusiasm for life.
The cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city) revels in life, with the beach, football, samba and Carnival the principal diversions. High above all this fun and frivolity are Rio's ever-present landmarks - the statue of Christ the Redeemer on the summit of Hunchback Mountain and Sugarloaf with its historic cable car.
As well as these twin icons, Rio boasts a wealth of attractions and activities, plus great food, music and entertainment - enough to keep a visitor busy for any length of stay.A natural port of the Guanabara Bay in southeast Brazil, the city was founded by the Portuguese on 1 January 1502. They named it Rio de Janeiro (River of January), under the mistaken impression that it was an enormous river mouth. Since then, it has grown to a city of over 6 million people, with a further 5 million in the greater metropolitan area.
Migrants find that the city has more than its fair share of social problems. Attempts have been made to curtail crime, but visitors should remain alert to petty thieves.
In the 1960's, the capital was moved from Rio to Brasilia, in an effort to decentralize the power found in Rio. All the jobs associated with such political power transferred to the interior of the country. This, along with a slowing economy and increased economic pressure from Sao Paulo, Rio is trying to redefine its role in the Brazilian economy.
Beachfront property in Rio de Janeiro is by far the most popular investment and give very good rental returns of 8-10% per annum. There is a developed Brazil property market and properties in Rio de Janeiro offer beachfront property in Copacabana beach and Ipanema beach. Property in Ipanema offers stunning views to the Atlantic Ocean. Rio is visited by millions of international tourists land here each year, making the buy to let property in Brazil investments very realistic indeed.
From a record low in 2002, the Brazilian Real has doubled in value against the US Dollar and rallied against other world currencies, so the country is not as cheap as it used to be. However, Brazil is still affordable and gaining in popularity - 2007 saw a 15% increase in visitors, mainly headed for Rio. With Brazil set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2014, that trend is likely to continue.
In Rio's summer (December to February), temperatures regularly reach 40ºC (104ºF) or more. When the heat is on, tourists should follow the Brazilian example and hit the beach rather than rush around. These months are also peak season - not only are international flights more expensive, but domestic travel and hotels are charged at a premium and get booked up quickly.
Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation - Tips On How To Take Your Family On A Fun Vacation
The one fun vacation a year is what every one looks forward to, an opportunity to get away from work and busy work routines. And the one place that most of them don't mind visiting is the Walt Disney World in Florida. Whether they are a child or an adult, it makes them happy and gives them something to look forward to. Since different people have different interests, this theme park offers all kinds of entertainment and adventure.
Choose between an affordable Walt Disney Vacation or try to get one of those rare Cheap Disney Vacation Club memberships, depending on what you prefer. When you have decided on your holiday destination, thereon comes the planning of other minute details. Make sure to have someone help you with the planning lest you are left dealing with all the details on your own.
If cost is not a restriction, you can go all the way and enjoy every single luxury available, everything from a 4bedroom villa on the beach to the spa facilities. When you rent a private villa through a website, you can choose the other amenities you want to go with it, either a private pool or some of the other services. They have a shuttle that operates from these villas to the main Disney world, so you can save on money spent on transport.
Inside the theme park, be sure to reach the most popular park early to grab passes or maybe get your FASTPASS. If you are keen on exploring The Magic Kingdom and Cinderella Castle, you need to prioritize which one of their offerings you want to visit first. There is the Main Street USA, where you go back in time and walk along the streets as they were in the 19th century or earlier. Everything from the horse trams to gas lights greet you along the streets which are filled with parades and restaurants. It houses the Main street Family fun day parade where visitors can participate and be one with the performers. Winds through the lanes towards Town square before coming to a grand finale at the City hall.
You can grab a bite to eat at the Plaza restaurant or the Crystal palace,which has a buffet for kids and all your favorite cartoon characters. Meals here would cost anywhere from $15- $60 per person, so be careful while ordering and don't go overboard. They have an extravagant breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, and some specially designed Disney Character based items for children.
Another area in the Magic Kingdom not to be missed while relishing your Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation is the Liberty Square. Here, you can take a peek into the American history at the Hall of Presidents or get spooked at the Haunted Mansion or enjoy a lazy boat ride through the park. You can pick up a few trinkets to take back home from the Heritage House and a wide choice of home wares and eats from Yankee Trader in Florida.
Founded less than 200 years ago, Singapore has a relatively short history. However, many of its old buildings have become famous worldwide. They have been featured either as charming settings in classic novels or as landmarks in local folklore. Here are 3 Singapore buildings which visitors should not miss.
Raffles Hotel, Singapore:
This is the hotel that has enchanted writers such as Noel Coward, Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham, all of whom have written about it. Even as early as 1910, it was a mandatory stopover for filthily rich visitors on round-the-world cruises. Such is its attraction that even a real tiger entered it in 1902. But without an invitation, it was eventually shot dead by a school teacher who turned up at the scene, curiously, wearing pyjamas and carrying a hangover.
This is also a hotel not to be trifled with. Who else is able to get the Singapore Zoo to send 6 orang utans to a VIP's room just for the guest's amusement? Indeed, that was exactly what they did for Michael Jackson when he stayed at the Raffles Hotel in 1993. Of course the apes thrilled the superstar no end.
Thian Hock Keng Temple:
The Thian Hock Keng Temple is Singapore's oldest temple, and is a must-see if you visit Chinatown. Before land reclamation, this temple was smack on the coastline. In the early days, grateful Chinese immigrants would visit Thian Hock Keng the moment their boats landed. Here they gave thanks to the temple's patron goddess for granting them a safe passage.
You need not go to China if you'd like to admire traditional southern Chinese architecture, for Thian Hock Keng is just that. The most exquisite timber and stone, as well as the expert craftsmen who worked on them, were imported from China. As if this was not enough, the temple also made use of Scottish cast-iron girdles and English tiles. The result is an intricately crafted temple full of symbolism.
Get a good Singapore guide-book and wander around the temple ground. Find out why a vertical wooden board is placed across the main door. Or figure out which of the 2 guardian lions (statues) is male and which is female.
If the architecture does not impress you, the powers that dwell in Thian Hock Keng might. Apart from providing journey mercies, the deities are believed to grant gamblers lucky numbers for the local lottery. If you are visiting, test out this power for yourself. It might just pay for your vacation - but remember that it's your own fault if you lose all your holiday cash!
In 1998, when the temple was being restored, workers found a scroll stashed in one of the roof beams. It was written by no less than the Qing emperor Guang Xu, who pronounced blessings on the local Chinese community. It just makes me wonder, "What else might be discovered here?"
Sri Mariamman Temple:
It might surprise you that Singapore's oldest Hindu temple should be located in the middle of Chinatown. Why it is there will take up another article. But the Sri Mariamman Temple continues to draw the local Indians, quite paradoxically, to Chinatown.
The temple had its origins in a small, ramshackle building made of wood and palm leaves. But in 1843, it was rebuilt into a concrete structure in the southern Indian temple style. The building was erected by Indian convicts shipped in from Madras. If they were frustrated with their lot, it did not show, for the temple is both sturdy and intricate even today.
Sri Mariammam Temple also hosts the annual Timithi Festival, known simply to non-Hindus as the fire-walking festival. To fulfil the vows made to Hindu deities, devotees walk - some actually run - across a pit of burning coals. It still baffles me that the only vehicles on stand-by outside the temple are police cars and not ambulances.
