HE CAME HERE!!!!

Madonna was here with her Holly Presence, Jesus... Beyoncé also came for the party and made the day for many people in Rio visiting the local favelas; Paris Hilton came to advertise a new brand of brazilian beer...DEVASSA...But someone according to the Samba School Unidos da Tijuca came from the Stars...and made a real show...

YES....MICHAEL JACKSON CAME!!!!! :)

The main theme of Unidos da Tijuca was the "secret" that everybody has, and other secrets that not only a person can hold, but a secret that everyone is curious to find out, and it has to do with old civilizations, political affairs, history, and many other things that we can consider "hidden".

In the end of the float it was written: MICHAEL LIVES IN EVERY STAR...

That was a kind way we found to celebrate such a very important star...No matter what he did but Michael Jackson really made a difference in the WORLD MUSIC SCENARIO!

RAFAEL TORRES LOPES
Tour Guide and Travel Planner
donrafainrio@yahoo.es

SIMPLY HAPPINESS

There's nothing much to talk about it when you want to describe "happinnes". It is a great state of spirit, but in this case, almost ONE MILLION people are sharing the same feeling, and this is what you can experience every single year.

Rio is a happy place all year round but in february it seems that all over the city is getting a "GENERAL URBAN ORGASM".....OOPS....there I go again with my colourful language...but you know...this blog here is my space to express my thoughts and if there is any person with fragile mind (most of time "evil") please do not take seriously this lovely post.

But this is the whole feeling that you come across everywhere you go...but during the parade you will have a HAPPINESS ARENA...Lots of colors, lots of great joy everywhere, our people really know how to make a party and the best of all, a party with no trace of violence or any kind of problem.

I have been to many places in this Planet, I have met many different people in my life, but nothing compares to the great happiness and all the human richness that you can experience during Carnaval in Rio!!!

I happy that every year I am there with my guests...this year as usual I had Marcone with me, my great friend and right arm and also one of the best guides that I know (and strongly recommend), my good friend from Venezuela who came here to visit us (NOTE: VENEZUELA NOW IS LIVING SUCH A BAD MOMENT WITH THIS LUNATIC RULER THAT I REFUSE TO WRITE HIS NAME, BUT JUST FOR YOU TO REMEMBER HIM, I WOULD CALL HIM: CASTRO'S PUPPY...BUT VENEZUELAN PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY WONDERFUL AND ABSOLUTELY FRIENDLY), Luis, he comes every year for Carnaval; also my australian guests Maria and Tim who left Sydney for a wonderful trip around the World and I am honored to help them in this brazilian adventure; and during the Winners Parade Marcone and I joined my super dear friend (and big sister) Marta who also got there with her friends from Texas!

Well...there will be always space for you and you are more than welcome to join us!!!

You'd better look for us way in advance because Carnaval is one of the biggest shows in the World. Me and my guides will be always very pleased to give you any assistance!!!

Get in touch, my email for any detailed information is donrafainrio@yahoo.es

Rafael Torres Lopes

MORE CARNAVAL - PROUD OF OUR NATURE!

Maybe the first impression when you come to Rio will be the colors you see everywhere! Everything is so colorful, the different types of blue in the ocean, our flowering trees in the mountains, the green of our hills and the incredible diversity of our fauna!!!

The same colors can be seen in our Samba Parade.

It is literally a show of colors, all the costums, all the floats and millions and millions of smiles. People really have a wonderful experience and we all participate at the same vibe of full happiness. The audience and the samba school members.

THIS YEAR THE CHAMPIONS CAME WITH A LOT OF NATIONAL PRIDE, SHOWING TO US THE ANIMALS OF OUR FAUNA.

Every year you can be sure that you will see an unique show and every year you can be self assured that you will have me and my guides to assist you during Carnaval!!!


Rafael Torres Lopes
Tour Guide and Travel Planner

donrafainrio@yahoo.es

THE CARNAVAL SHOW - OUR PEOPLE!!!

SOME PEOPLE SAY IT IS THE BIGGEST SHOW ON EARTH...And I agree. Once I was in Spain and there I read that regarding Carnaval only Rio, Cadiz, New Orleans and Trinidad and Tobago offer to the World such a unique and special party, and the whole World pay attention. But in Rio and also in many cities in Brazil, I think this time is more than spectacular.

Brazil will be the country of the Olympics and two years before we will have another giant event...THE WORLD CUP!!!

I have noticed that Rio was over crowded and of course I got very busy, so busy that all of my guides also had a lot of work. I also take the opportunity to say sorry for all the time that I take to reply my emails, I am struggling with time to accomplish my tours, my emails and my private life. 24 hours is not enough, but I am working hard, believe me!!!

But it was Carnaval and we had a glorious one!!!! WOW WOW WOW. I took my guests Maria and tim from Sydney on Sunday Carnaval and I recently went to the Winners Parade with Marcone, Marta and our friends from Houston, Texas. (ALWAYS TEXAS...YOOOOHA!!!)

We had a show of culture, the brazilian pride was present all the time...many Samba School with vewry interesting themes.

BEIJA FLOR DECIDED TO TALK ABOUT OUR NATIVE PEOPLE, OUR FAUNA AND SHOW TO THE WORLD THE GREAT JOY OF BEING BRAZILIAN!!!

After watching their perform I was really proud to be able to show all my guests the endless beauties of Brazil, specially Rio, the Amazon and Iguazu Falls.

We are planning great tours for the next Carnaval...Stay tuned!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

donrafainrio@yahoo.es

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS RIO - OUR WILDERNESS

A little sleepy in the morning but happy to be in the wilderness!

Endless flowers - better to see the flowers in the Spring

The cute quatis - quite rare to find!

The friends that never desappoint me

They also deserve my attention - they are pretty and big!

Something which is always present in my tours is the nature!!! And we go everywhere in Rio and we come across with some gorgeous forest. You know that Rio is blessed by the Atlantic Forest and it is all surrounded by mountains. So if you are a nature lover, believe me, I know the secrets.

If you are a nature lover, you can be sure that wilderness will be very present in our tours...Rio gives you incredible photo opportunities of our flowers, our animals, different trees and gorgeous views of our endless green mountains. We can see our virgin beaches in the West part of the city, we can explore our forests and come across with gorgeous waterfalls in the middle of the city, literally this is where you find our forest.

Not only Tijuca Forest, but you can find wild life even in a simple visit to the Sugar Loaf, also in the ocean beaches of Niteroi, our Botanical Gardens and the distant beaches of Grumari.

I am very into photography and I love ta,ing pictures of animals, specially birds... A chance to come across with a toucan is not impossible, as well as a cayman. Rio is full of surprises and I am here to maske it easier for you.

All the time you need I will be there and also my great tour guides!!! For the moment, we are a team of five!!!

I have a lot of hidden places that you can see when you come to Rio de Janeiro, just drop me a line at donrafainrio@yahoo.es

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

RAFA MOMENTS - WORKING FOR NINE YEARS TO MAKE YOU HAPPY

The African Side of Rio - GREAT SAMBA BAR IN LAPA

With the swedish beauties Gio and Wendy in a Samba House - Marcone was there too!!!

Radical Adventures in Niteroi

History where the facts took place

Trying to survive under Rio's Heat - IT'S FUN

Just want to share you my great happiness to meet people from many different part of the Planet. My work allows me to show the best of my country, my work gives me a lot of friends.

I am not the kind of guide who will act in a very formal way...you will never see me in a bus telling like a robot the beautiful views in your right and in your left. I will not be worried to take my people to the next jewelry.

If you want to have a real experience in Rio, you can expect that you will have friends here. Me and my guides here will give you the soul of Rio. You will see closerly how the locals live and you will see places that Cariocas love to go!!!

I am Carioca and my friends are "cariocas" too.

I am teamed with incredible informal guides (officially registered) who will show you a deep casual profile of the city!!!

Here I want to take this opportunity to thank all my guests to make possible so many wonderful things in my life.

And my life here is to make RIO DE JANEIRO your home!!!

MUITO OBRIGADO,

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

donrafainrio@yahoo.es

BY THE WAY...THESE PICTURES SHOWS MY VERY INFORMAL MOMENTS IN MY TOURS!!!

GREAT PLACE TO EAT IN NITEROI

As you all know, Niteroi is a present place in my tours when you come to Rio, going there you will see Rio from many different perspectives and the city offers incredible gastronomic surprises. Nice restaurants with breathtaking views.

One of them that I highly recommend is BISTROT, the restaurant is located under the CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM of Niteroi which is an impressive project of Oscar Niemeyer, our famous architect.

Delicious food with the best combinations of our rich Brazilian Cuisine.

I always take my mother there and some guests as well!!!

Niteroi is fun and Niteroi is also a great option if you wish to have the best of our brazilian food!

Rafael Torres Lopes

VERY IMPORTANT WORDS FROM TORONTO - SUNIL - MY BEST "BRAZILIAN - CANADIAN" FRIEND

Well, all the people from Canada that comes, take back home a strong brazilian feeling. And Brazil is part of their fondest memories!!!

I had the great pleasure to get Sunil's report about his tour in Rio and his experiences getting to know so many special hidden gems in his trip and I am honored to share these words with you:

SUNIL SAYS: Hello Rafa. I want to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a fantastic tour guide and showing me the real Rio through the eyes of a Carioca. You demonstrated all the attributes of a great tour guide – strong communication skills, excellent knowledge, professionalism, a deep passion and love for your beautiful, vibrant city, a wonderful sense of humor and a very happy easy going personality.

What can I say about your city? Words cannot adequately capture the magic and allure of RIO, The itinerary you proposed was perfect and it gave me the opportunity to see not only all the tourist attractions but also many other aspects of Rio that tourists normally would not see on those big crowded coach city tours,

I am now putting together my Rio photo album and reflecting on just how much of Rio you were able to show me in the 3 days I booked with you:

The iconic sites of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf
The world famous beach areas of Copacabana and Ipanema
The Tijuca National Forest where we saw amazing waterfalls and hiking trails – an oasis in the middle of the city where one can get away from the hustle and bustle of RIO and cool off.
The incredible wetlands area of Marapendi with its diverse wildlife and calm serenity.
Some of the finest beaches in and around Rio . I know Copacabana and Ipanema take all the limelight but as we saw there are some incredibly beautiful beaches off the beaten path with gorgeous white sands, turquoise waters and situated in natural settings that one can only dream of.

All the diverse neighborhoods of Rio as we criss-crossed the city in your Rafa-mobile
So many lookout points with absolutely breathtaking views of Rio and the surrounding areas - mountains and densely forested green hills cascading down to meet the white sandy beaches and blue ocean

A walking tour of Old Rio and the famous weekly Saturday morning flea market
The little Portugal community in Niteroi and the small fishing villages which offered a totally different perspective

The stunning views of Rio and the spectacular landscape as seen from the top of the City Park in Niteroi

Feasting on the renowned Brazilian cuisine in the restaurants we visited
The unforgettable night at the Samba House in Lapa where the sounds of the Samba and the Bossa Nova floated into the night sky until the early hours of the next morning
My introduction to your wonderful collection of Samba and other South American music that we listened to in the Rafa-mobile
And many more special moments – way too many to list here but deeply etched in my memory

Needless to say, I was not disappointed with any part of the itinerary. It was worth every penny. I think every tourist should see Rio through the eyes of a guide such as you. I will certainly be recommending you to my circle of family and friends and will be happy to share my experiences with any of your future clients.

Once again thanks for a truly memorable time. I really feel like a CARIOCA now.

Regards
Sunil

TALKING ABOUT CANADA

After writing so much about my canadian friends, I am feeling a little nostalgic now!

And also with the Rio's heat...makes me dream about the days when I used to play the "angel" in the parks of Montreal.

Thinking of Canada my thoughts fly to many interesting places...That day I was about to leave Niagara Falls...Temperature was pleasant, about - 25.

THANK YOU CANADA FOR GIVING ME SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE!

By the way, Canada ranks the forth position among the guests I mostly welcome! :)

THE CARIOCASHIP - OUR NEW CITIZEN SUNIL - RIO ADORES YOU!!!!

THE JUNGLE MAN AT MARAPENDI

Simple life in a fishing village in Niteroi - Ponta da Areia - Little Portugal

In our tours we come across with unique landscapes - West Side of Rio - Barra

That was the meeting of 3 Sunils in Rio de Janeiro by the Sugar Loaf Mountain

Niteroi is a place that should never be forgotten, maybe one of the best secret of any trip to Rio, here I had the great happiness to introduce the city I was raised to my "carioca" friend Sunil

I think I said so many times that I am crazy about my work!!!! Well not everybody in the world has the chance to have all Rio de Janeiro as an office. I do have!!!

It is a real pleasure for me to show the secrets of Rio to all people who request my guiding services which now I am even more stronger because I count with the priceless help of other incredible and best guides ever. Now when I am busy with my tours I know my other guests will be in very good hands with Marcone, Diana, Cedric, Carlos, Olivia and Marcelo.

But the best prize in the World for me is when I see my guests' eyes full of joy and happiness when they experience the soul of Rio, when they realize that Rio is way much more than they can expect. And I do focus on it, provinding some unique and very genuine!!!

And as result you get wonderful friends and you start to graduate REAL CARIOCAS. Yes, now I am giving to you "CARIOCASHIP"

One of my newest CARIOCA lives in Toronto and he spend 4 great days in Rio and I was the one who taught the way to Paradise!!!! He knew all over the city like very few could explore, I gave to my wonderful friend Sunil very detailed tours that he can write a travel book now. He had his great experiences in a period very close to Carnaval.

I want to let everyone know that I am honored to have such a fantastic friend like Sunil!!!

Thanks alot Sunil for your generosity, your curiosity and your brilliant researching skills. Brazil needs people like you and humbling speaking, I made you see that Rio is more than a destination for you, Rio is also your home and here you are forever you are forever welcome!!!

YOUR BRAZILIAN FRIEND,

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

donrafainrio@yahoo.es

VANESSA - MY CANADIAN GREAT FRIEND

It is always wonderful to know that we really have spectacular friends...Vanessa is my great Embassadod this is in Montreal, she came to Rio recommended by one of my canadian guests, and this is now her second visit in Rio, there will be way more. she is a great expert about Brazil and I am soooo pleased to help anytime she needs.

To my surprise, she wrote the following review at Trip Advisor that I am rewriting for you to read:

Rafa in Rio - best tour guide ever! I had a wonderful experience with him too, and I'm posting my review here:

If you're looking for a personalized, unique and adventure-filled experience in Rio de Janeiro, Rafa is the guide for you! Unlike many other tours that have set agendas or rigid schedules, Rafa will make sure you get to see everything you want to see on a timeline that suits you, and he'll also take you to amazing places you didn't even know you wanted to see until you're there ...

Of course you want to visit Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado or go on an exciting cable car ride and take in the breathtaking views up Sugarloaf Mountain, and Rafa will certainly bring you there in style; but make sure to be flexible and give yourself at least one free day open to new surprises ... he may take you to a quiet fishing village outside the charming city of Niteroi across the bay from and seemingly another world away from Rio, or even to a sanctuary of natural wonder inside the city itself, at Tijuca National Park ... or perhaps he will bring you to Carioca da Gema, the world's hippest samba club in the heart of Lapa, the historic Bohemian nightlife neighbourhood; and if that's still not enough booty-shaking on a Saturday night for you, Rafa can even be convinced to take you all the way out to groove to the heavy beats and joyous songs of the Viradouro samba school into the wee hours of the morning ...

Rafa knows so much about Rio and about Brazil ... the history, geography, culture, the people ... and he is such a joyful and vibrant character, you will enjoy his company every bit as much as the sights and events he brings you to. Check out his blog and get in touch with him right away!!

http://donrafaguestsinrio.blogspot.com/

IMPORTANT - We have a video that we made in the very Rio's unusual beach, RAMOS..it is posted on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTdtu-RPQ3M

Rafael Torres Lopes

donrafainrio@yahoo.es

MY SOCIAL PROFILE

Beautiful people - our future - help them!

Rafa talking about brazilian social policies

Very exciting cumbia in Caracas

I have always been concerned about the well being of my people, I always try to help other people and I kep part of my life thinking about what I can do; then I started writing suggestions to our Goverment, specially in the social policies in the north of my country where I know they belong to the poorest side of Brazil. It is not easy life there, the locals have no school, not even a decent place to live. Since I became not only a tour guide in my city, here in Rio, I start to promote all over Brazil in my tours, and my heart is not only brazilian, I see my Continent as my sacred and dear land. My soul is very brazilian but my heart is Latin American, above all.

I realize that South America deserves all my attention, that is why I worked a lot to include Uruguay, Argentina and Venezuela in my tours because I trully believe in their potential.

Venezuela is the natural continuation of our endless Amazon Forest as well as Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Suriname and the Guianas.

And thanks to my social studies in Amazon Affairs, I was invited by my federal government to be a member of the Brazilian Delegation in a World's Event in Caracas, the so called World PIECE Conferation, so ironic to realized that the event took place in the so explosive venezuelan capital where CHAVEZ "thinks" he is the king!!!

But I could see closerly that at least the so called SOCIAL MISSIONS work and I was invited to tell them our successful social experiences in the north east feeding locals and providing schooling to many unreachable poor communities; and my idea to convince potential guests who are able to help our locals to build schools for the distant amazon communities, giving them even computers so they can have access to the internet, and I could see that in many poor communities of Caracas they have access to school, health care and they have a local market where they can buy food for very low price.

It was a wonderful afternoon where I could exchange lots of ideas and with the help of my fellow brazilians we brought a lot of food and toys for the children, in turn they showed us their local cumbia group.

It is a pety that at the same time Chavez is killing one of the people's most precious treasure: FREEDOM

That happened last year...

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

donrafainrio@yahoo.es

THIS PEOPLE TOOK MY HEART TO GEORGIA!!!!

My friends (and guests), my wonderful friends Barbara and Gordon came to Rio after an impressive journey in South America. Rio was part of the expedition and they chose me. That was a challenge because it is not easy to please well travelled people; it is not easy to surprise people who traveled to many different countries on Earth and I was responsable to show them a very small piece of this World...A part of my State, Rio de Janeiro that includes the capital itself, Niteroi, Buzios, Ilha Grande, Cunha, Paraty and Vassouras; and a part of São Paulo State that includes Santos and Guarujá....

We built delicious stories, we had the most non sense laughs, we had moments of deep discovery, we had miles and miles of roads; they got to know my land inland and offshore.

I can say that I met a wonderful couple that dedicates their lives simply to take care of each other. I can easily tell you that they came to Rio but they colonized my heart because I came across with such marvelous people and I found a wonderful family in Georgia. I can say that I tought a lot of BRASILIDADE (let's say "brasility") but I learnt alot about life, new values and love with no barrier.

Barbara with the heart as large as the Amazon River and the brain as quick as a arizonan road runner!!! Gordon with his endless wisdon (I am serious, if you dare to count how many great neurons he has in his brains, you will have to count each sand of Sonora Desert), great loyalty that he would easily beat an AKITA. Getting to know these two people, I can tell you that I went to Harvard and been graduated in 10 DAYS!!! : ))))

When you have the blood of andaluzians (south of Spain) you tend to exaggerate but certainly 100% of my words are really true, and if I need to think how incredible our tours was, I would think that these tours were for sure one of the very best of my whole career!!!

It was really a honor to welcome you in my so adored country and it will be more than a honor to make my Brazil your home outside Atlanta!!!

Thank you for being so special to me, so special to Marcone, so special to Marcone's mother and so special to my mother!!!

YOUR VISIT HERE MADE HISTORY!!!!

With trully love,

Rafael Torres Lopes and Marcone Lima