Official Start Day for the Tour

Four pm today was the official start for our tour. We met our tour guide, Aline, who graduated from Dickenson College in Carlisle, PA. This is important because that is where my grandson Micah attends. Aline is Brazilian and fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English. I really admire anyone who is fluent in 2 or more languages. After a delicious buffet breakfast and catching up on sleep Jo Elllen and I walked to the Forte de Copacabana. It is one of six forts that guarded the Bay of Guanabara.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is not an old fort and is considered a bunker fort. Most of it is underground. The fort was inaugurated in 1914. The view across the bay is Sugar Loaf Mountain. My guess is that during the World Cup this summer you will see lots of the Brazilian flag.

There were several sidewalk cafes on the grounds. By the time we walked back to our hotel the heat and humidity had made me feel like I was in a sauna so I headed to the very small hotel swimming pool. Very short laps still provided the opportunity for much needed exercise. There was also an excellent view.

We ended the formal part of our day eating at a restaurant where the main course traditional bar-b-que and lots of beef was served.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting facts about Brazil - It is the world's 5th largest country both by geographical area and by population. Explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral claimed the area for Portugal in 1500. Its independence was achieved in 1822 with the creation of the Empire of Brazil but it became a presidential republic in 1889. However, the bicameral legislature, now called congress, dates back to the ratification of the first constitution in 1824.