PARA MEXICOOOOOOO CON MUCHO CARIÑO!!!

I always say that the THREE AMERICAS are just ONE AMERICA. And this continent is also part of me. From Tijuana (where I have great friends) to Tierra del Fuego we are AMERICA LATINA...but my heart reaches Alert in the very up north canadian island Ellesmere to the last very south territory of Tierra del Fuego...THIS IS OUR CONTINENT...this is America and the real meaning of being AMERICAN....so this humble blogger that writes to you is a VERY PROUD AMERICAN PERSON....

And one of our cousins are very dear guests of mine...THE MEXICANS CARAJOOOOOOOOOOO.....

VIVA MEXICO!!!! And VIVA all the friends that I made from everywhere in Mexico...so dear country....And somehow I have lots of guests from Mexico that experience my tours here in Rio de Janeiro!!!

Mexico is so wonderful that people express their passion in music, paintings, literature and food...uhmmmmm LAS TORTILLAS .... I am sure Raquel knows exactly what I am talking about!!!

Music gaves us the incredible boleros specially songs written by Alberto Dominguez such as Perfidia (which means betreyal or faithless or simply Perfidy as the english versions says) that in one of the sentences it asks: PARA QUE QUIERO OTROS BESOS SI TUS LABIOS NO ME QUIEREN YA BESAR....which more or less means: "why do I need other kisses if your kisses refuse to kiss me???" Deep, eh????

ARTS...well, names like the very famous FRIDA which I am not a big fan but it gives Mexico its contribuition to the World of Paintings giving some names to the World, but Mexico also has Diego Rivera and the less famous painter which for me they are the best like ERNESTO HERNANDEZ OLMOS (he is also an actor and a great musician) from Oaxaca which portraits tell us alot about mexican myths like THE MOTHER EARTH and some others aztec Gods; also the amazing paintings of CARLOS HERRERA from Durango which also paints legends of Mexico; it is amazing the presence of the Day of the Dead in all his paitings; and least but not last, RAUL DEL RIO with his amazing ANIMALS and Nature paintings and murals that I am happy to share hiw webpage: http://www.delrioproductions.com/index.html

LITERATURE...well...Latin America is rich with ours writers and poets...so many Literature Nobel Prizes that gave to the World names such as the colombian Gabriel Garcia Marques and the peruvian Mario Vargas Llosa. Mexico gave to the World great writers such Octavio Paz who also got a Nobel Prize in 1990, no doubts of the the greatest intelectuals of Mexico in the early years...he was great to discuss about the modern political mexican scenerio...Well, but the literature tradition of Mexico comes from the very beggining of mexican history, they had a king which was also a poet named Nezahualcóyotl, do not ask me how to pronounce his name, all I know that he had some incredible participation in the mexican culture.

AND FOOD....My goodness, I am sure that my friend Raquel and also my friend Mari can write pages of pages of Mexican delights...Mexican Cuisine is known all over the World and I would say this is the most complete gastronomy in our planet!!! Tortillas of all types, Enchiladas (uhhhh I love rice with chicken), Tacos...The quesadillas....burritos, fajitas...it is a whole universe of fantastic food (I do not like spiceys but I can eat with NO SPICY AT ALL). Apomg the name of so incredible World's Chefs, I think that Patricia Quintana is one of them...she combines sofistication with the most traditional Grandma's ( MUST BE A WONDERFUL ABUELA MEXICANA) cuisine tradition...

Just like Brazil, when you go to Mexico and you research about Nature and Culture, you will find out a marvelous land full of incredible emotions that will live forever in your heart and thoughts!!!

I am very fortunate to have Mexico's Friends and being so much considered in Mexico that keep on sending incredible people that make my work even more important.

GRACIAS MEXICO!!!

Salo and Raquel decided to trust their first visit to Rio in my hands....And they had very short time to explore everything...so I decided to show them the best of Rio and they became one more mexican family that I have in Mexico. Their knowledge about Latin American and their love for South America made my work very easy.

We mostly saw Rio by day and by night, they experienced many local places...from the most famous attractions like the Christ and the Sugar Loaf to very off the beaten path places like my so dear fishing village Jurujuba and the indigenous tribe in Camboinhas.

Gracias mis amigos por tanto cariño, tanta risa y tanta amistad. Todo el tiempo que pasamos aqui fué de increible alegria y me hicieron conocer gente tan hermosa y de mucho valor como vosotros.

Les llevo siempre en el alma, en el corazon y en mis pensamientos!!!

Sepan que yo amo a la gente mexicana y ustedes solo me comproban que estoy en el mejor camino!!!

Aqui ustedes siempre tendrán amigos...Marcone y yo os queremos mucho!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

WORDS FROM CALIFORNIA MY WONDERFUL FRIENDS JOYCE AND TOM

Joyce and Tom were simply incredibly fun, they organized a tour in their cruise ship and they came with a party of 8 people, and we had a blast!!! :) In one day we did our best to see everything, and THEY EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING THAT RIO CAN OFFER!!!

We were blessed by the good weather too...

Joyce decided to send me some words after reading my previous posting and I think it is very important to share with my readers!

JOYCE'S WORDS: "We LOVE your blog!! I would have booked you as a guide after reading your blog!! We have been writing emails for a long time and everything I wanted to know about our day were completely planned. By reading this blog I was sure that we would have a great day because the blog shows everything that Rafa is.

Rafa is the spirit of Rio itself, he always has something to make our day even better!

Rafa is like a distant and always present relative in South America, very soon we noticed that he is part of the family and everything in Rio becomes familiar once you have his assistance and he puts a lot of his personality in the blog, so I am really sure that what he writes here is absolutely all you will see and experience in the tour.

A tour with Rafa will show you that Rio is absolutely one of the most important travelling destination for voyage lovers.

Keep on this lovely work, Rafa...We love your words and we trust your words! Keep on making us laugh with your adventures and tours. And thank you for being so important for us!!!

Me, Tom and my friends Gary and Rita are always your friends"

Well...needless to say that this blog idea really works...needless to say that if you want to know all the details of my tours, you can just write to me and everything will be discussed and planned in our emails.

Joyce and I exchanged more than a 100 messages and now she is one of my best friends in the States!

Thank you for your golden words, Joyce!!! ADELANTE SIEMPRE!!!!

We really had some adventures in Rio together that one day she will report here!!!

I close this posting dedicating my day for this lovely couple that I deeply admire...JOYCE AND TOM THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AND BLUE SKY DAY ARE ALL YOURS!!!

I am sure you will be back to Brazil and I will always be here waiting for you and thinking for new adventures!!!

LOTS OF LOVE FOR BOTH OF YOU AND GOD BLESSES YOU ALL!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

THE MEANING OF MY BLOG: NO MEANING

I am sure you came here to know more about my tours, well...I am a tour guide, the person who will take you to places that you want to see in Rio...But this blog has no specific function...Sure, you will find a lot about my tours, the places I go, the places I take you...I also show you the day with many different guests that turned to be incredible friends of mine...

Here you will know what I think about Brazil, my work, my guests, my own life, things that I am not afraid to share. My guests are friends and this is maybe one of the devices I have to make you know more about myself.

IT IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL BLOG...blog is intented to be INFORMAL...and you know really well that I AM NOT FORMAL...I am a tour guide but in every email I write I am very clear, I want to be your friend in Brazil.

IS IT A WORK??? Yesssssssssssss It is my work, but it is also my personal passion!!!

My work gives me wonderful people...I have Marcone with me all the time and I have Marta with me all the time...One great tour guide and life time friend and another life time friend and maybe the best promoter of Rio, Marta Miller...I love her GuestHouse...this is where you will find me in every New Year Eve when I am in town. Actually these two people are ones of the most important personalities around me.

Well, but you are still curious about my tours and you will find them in my blog...I have the postings right below:

http://donrafaguestsinrio.blogspot.com/2009/10/now-you-choose-very-super-full-day.html - one day tour – very complete full day
http://donrafaguestsinrio.blogspot.com/2009/10/two-days-in-rio-after-that-you-can-say.html - Tours for 2 days
http://donrafaguestsinrio.blogspot.com/2009/10/three-days-in-rio-yes-it-is-possible.html - tours for 3 days
http://donrafaguestsinrio.blogspot.com/2009/10/four-days-in-rio-with-rafa-and-night.html - tours for 4 days.

Part of my free time I travel the country to find places where I can take you...specially in my own State, Rio de Janeiro and another very faraway place up north, the wild State of Maranhão. I love my country...I think I AM VERY BRAZIL!!!

I travel the country to meet "real character", brazilian people inspire me...Just like Seu Lula in the small tiny city in the dry Agreste of Teixeira...in our State Paraiba. He was called Lula way before our ex-president call himself LULA!!! I learn with my own people the value of being part of this HOLY LAND. And when you come here my big concern is showing you the same Brazil that I always search for....

When you think about a tour guide, maybe you are thinking about a person wearing a uniform with a company's name in the shirt...I am sorry...this is not me....I am here to show you various faces of Brazil, starting with Rio, of course!

By the way...this unormal picture was taken in São Paulo....

Uhmmmm when I think about Brazil, I think about WATER!!! :) Brazil is a delicious SPLASH!!! Fresh water, salt water...I am so proud of all knowledge I get in my travels in this country, and you can be sure, once you trust me, I can make Brazil a easier destination for you.

For those who wants to know more about my tours...I have good news...I am thinking about a website, but you can be sure that I can give you very detailed information in my emails and you will be very well informed!

For those who wants to know WHO is the guide they trust their travel wishes...this blog is a great source for you to understand that I will make your trip special no matter what!!!

Thank you all for so much consideration, respect, trust and friendship...be sure ALWAYS...that you can count on me!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

CHICAGO BROADNEWS - DON EXPERIENCING THE SOUL OF RIO WITH A GREAT HELP ONE A RIO'S EXPERT IN TOWN - VANESSA - MY CANADIAN "BRAZILIAN" SISTER

For the second time I have the privilege to get words from my good friend Don, my good friend in Illinois...Well, it is one more Brazil's Lover and one more person that holds Rio in the heart and his reviews about his wonderful experiences in Rio deserves much more than your attention.

We explored Rio together but I had the precious help of Vanessa, my great friend which I consider my sister. She is a Brazilianist and we are very fortunated to welcome Vanessa every year.

DON'S WORDS ABOUT HIS DAY WITH MY GUIDE VANESSA - "Besides my wonderful experiences with Rafa for two days of Rio exploring, I also had the great fortune to be shown Rio's Centro by Rafa's good friend, Vanessa Portela. Not only did she and I visit the sights, including the fun shopping area Saara, a small district of narrow streets with shops selling everything from beach wear to Carnaval costumes, but also attended a samba school rehearsal, a real highlight. In Saara, the costume shops were amazing with a wide variety of colorful outfits available for men and women. Among other places, we saw St. Benedict's Monastery, the Cathedral (where we were treated to an impromptu organ recital), Teatro Municipal, the Old Imperial Palace and the former Supreme Court of Brazil building, now a cultural center with an ornately restored courtroom and art exhibition space. As a lawyer, I particularly enjoyed seeing where lawyers presented their cases to the highest court in the land before the capital was moved to Brasilia in 1960. We broke for a late afternoon lunch in a district which reminded me of the French Quarter in New Orleans at a local spot called Pilao de Pedre. Had a great black bean dish, sushi and rice in a typical Brazilian cafe/restaurant. We finished our tour at a terrific music store. I wanted to buy some CDs of Brazilian music for family and some friends and she told me where an excellent store was located. It had a great selection and she assisted me in choosing some great CDs.

Because I had expressed an interest in seeing a rehearsal of one of the samba schools as they prepared for Carnaval, Rafa and Vanessa suggested that I attend the rehearsal for the Sao Clemente samba school, which happened to have a rehearsal scheduled for that very evening. Also, its quadra (rehearsal court) was very conveniently located, just off a Rio Metro stop. Because I was a first time visitor with no Portuguese at my command, I asked Vanessa to accompany me. We had a great time. Vanessa, who is Canadian, speaks Portuguese well and is a great lover of all things Rio, but especially it music. She is an accomplished music lover and is hoping, if possible, to participate as a tambourine player with one of the samba schools in the Sambodrome next month during Carnaval. We arrived at the rehearsal court at about 8:30PM and promptly put our ear plugs in place (Vanessa provided them) and it was then almost three hours of great music and people watching for me. Vanessa brought her tambourine and was welcomed to participate in the rehearsal. It was a very local scene with people of all ages, shapes and sizes enjoying the evening. The Sao Clemente school is particularly excited because 2011 is the first year in many years in which it will be parading in the main group of twelve at the Sambodrome because they won tfirst prize in the Access Group parade last year. The samba schools compete to be among the select twelve each year. They want to have the best "team" possible so each samba school has in essence a competition each year for people to participate as dancers or musicians. Making the team is much like making a sports team where people are vying for the few available coveted spots on the team. My visit to the samba school rehearsal was a real highlight and I highly recommend it to every visitor to Rio during the Carnaval season.

Because I had almost one more day in Rio before my flight left in the evening, I asked Rafa and Vanessa if it might be possible to visit a favela. Vanessa arranged a tour for me of the Rocinha favela led by Rocinha native, Zezinho, who speaks American accented English acquired during the fifteen years he lived in California. I have visited poor communities in many parts of the world, including India and South Africa, and was interested in what life is like in the many favelas and poor communities which make up a significant part of the population of Brazil's major cities, including Rio. The favelas are controlled by the drug gangs and movies have been made about life in them with "City of God" and its violent portrayal a particular example. Yet, people live there and they are communities in many ways like any other with efforts to make life as good as it can be and to provide educational and other opportunities. Rocinha may not be a typical favela because it is relatively close to central Rio, is in a very scenic setting and has been the focus of NGO and volunteer activity for many years. Most recently, the Brazilian government has been investing in creating new housing in Rocihna and the new apartment blocks are colorful and quite attractive looking. In any case, my three plus hours in Rocinha with Vanessa and Zezinho gave me a good sense of the community life there. Services, such as banks, internet, satellite and cable TV and municipal bus service are available. The little homes in many cases appeared well furnished, but many Rocinha residents have no address because they live on narrow, winding alleyways that have developed as the small concrete block apartments have gone up over the years on every available piece of land. To receive mail, these residents make an arrangement with those people living on the two or three narrow main roads or streets, which have addresses, to use their addresses to receive mail. In front of many of the little stores or shops on the street are boxes with hundreds of envelopes neatly divided for people to pick up their mail. Essentially, these shopkeepers act as an informal post office. Efforts are being made to improve education, but still, like children in inner city neighborhoods around the world the youngsters in Rocinha in many, if not most, cases are far behind in math and language training. Again, efforts are being made to address those issues. During the entire time with Zezinho, I felt completely safe because I was with someone from the community who is known to everyone and is working to provide opportunities for people to see and appreciate his community and to help local artists and shop owners. I would definitely recommend a visit to Rocinha with Vanessa and Zezinho.

Finally, before heading to the airport, Vanessa took me to the Botanical Garden of Rio. Here we saw a huge collection of plants of all possible varieties. The garden is a quiet, relaxing place which seems to be miles from the bustle of Rio's traffic, but is in fact in one of Rio's neighborhoods. It was a good spot to end my exciting, fun and educational four days in Rio.

I highly recommend Vanessa as a tour guide. She is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Rio, speaks perfect English obviously, and was very flexible in creating a tour which was crafted to meet my particular interests. She is also simply enjoyable to be with."

Many thanks to Vanessa who strived hard to provide happiness to all guests; many thanks to Zezinho who gives a wonderful human touch in one of the biggest poor communities of Rio which the word POOR does not fit in the context...ROCINHA IS RICH IN CULTURE AND PEOPLE'S BEAUTY. Zezinho has the power to make it possible and make Rocinha one of the most fascinating places in Rio to visit.

Thank you both for such a fantastic job!!!!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A CERTAIN FRIEND THAT I ADORE IN CHAPEL HILL, AND HE LOOOOOOOOVES RIO!!!

He is famous in my blog!!! Actually in my brazilian life here, this great friend is a pop start. It is my brother and wonderful friend Terrence from North Carolina. He is a big friend of Brazil and he comes every year always bringing new friends!!! This time he brought richard and Kate and we had loooooooooooads of fun!!! Terrence is the kind of a person who has an open spirit to experience new challenges in life!!!

One day he will write a book about Rio de Janeiro, very keen in popular arts so no wonder everytime he comes he always get inspiration for paintings, some texts and some beautiful photography with the new places that I always love to take him...and here we have an endless number of spots to explore!!!

Terrence possesses a brazilian smile already, his soul speaks better portuguese than his mouth. He gets the vibe of a Carioca way of life and we are always doing local stuff like taking the Bondinho in Santa Tereza or going to a suburbian party in Madureira, we love being where the local activity is, and this is always what I will always take Terrence. Living our daily life!!!

A meeting with Selaron (important - he is very moody but this guy is a genious and we've got to understand, so always separates 20 reais or 50 reais to buy one of his tyles or paitings...at least he changed the whole life of an entire part of Santa Tereza and Lapa) is something that we always do. And Selaron really loves Terrence's brazilian approaching.

For sure sharing great moments in Rio with my good friend Terrence is a privilege and I am very happy to have guests that come here all the time. My work is so generous, it simply gives me spectacular friends!

A stroll in the Centro with me demands a lot of local stuff, for instance, having a wonderful street HOT DOG...You will have a stomach revolution and with good food!!! As I keep saying...DO NOT BE AFRAID OF STREET FOOD IN BRAZIL.

This man wrote a review about my tours and I am more than happier to share with all of you...HERE IS TERRENCE'S WORD: " This was the third time I have used Rafa as a guide for my trips of Rio. Each time was unique and different with so many fantastic hidden surprises. Rio de Janiero is a city of such complexity that it is often overwhelming. A good guide will show you the highlights, but also the personal side of this city. Rafa has done that for me on three different occasions. I will continue to visit Rio and look forward to many more amazing treats from Rafael Torres. Choose him. He is superb!"

Well, I am proud to say in a very modest way...I brazilianized Terrence!!!

And Brazil will be always a home for him!!! ALWAYS...He knows he has a friend for life in Rio, he knows that I will be always thinking about to give him more Brazil to his heart and soul. My tours here are not only showing places...my tours are visiting, experiencing, tasting...

Thanks Terrence for everything...and specially thanks for your generous friendship that caused us so many giggles!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

AUSSIE FRIENDS OF DIANA - MY SWEET "SKIRTS VERSION"

Diana is for sure one of my best friends and she is a very complete tour guide that works for me for more than 5 years. We did a lot together and she really gives a very intense flavor of fun and exciment in my tours. She is as informal as me, she is reliable and very experienced. But much more than that, she is one of the people who have home, food and washed clothes in my heart – LOOOOOOOOL

I got a lot of compliments about her tours, she speaks really great english and a tour with her will flow with a lot of fantastic experiences!

I am surrounded by wonderful people, and for sure Diana is one of them!

In January we welcome a very nice couple from Australia, Diana Wier and her husband David. I was busy in the days they came, so for sure, no one better than MY BRAZILIAN DIANA to give all the assistance while they were in Rio.

Thanks for that me and my Team got new friends in Sydney and for sure they know that in Rio de Janeiro they will always have friends!!!

We welcome travellers and we leave friends...this is our MOTTO.

Diana Persi once again proved that she is a wonderful guide and that she will always be part of the team!!!

Two Dianas and ONE DAVID exploring all over Rio, and the great coincidence was that our Diana also lived in Australia, so it was a perfect FAMILY TOUR!!!

Here I have the Aussie Diana’s words reporting her FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE in Rio!!!

And the photos of course!!! :)

DIANA WEIR WORDS: “We were a little unsure about how safe Rio was so we decided to use a private guide in Rio. This was the best decision we made as we felt safe the whole time we were there, mainly because we got some local insight from Rafa and his team: Diana Persi and Alexander.From the first time we emailed him until our departure from Rio, everything went smoothly.

Rafa emailed me an enthusiastic response in 24 hours with a lot of reassuring information, including my question about an unfavourable review on his team in Tripadvisor. Upon arrival in Rio, we were picked up by Alexander who managed to make sense of my broken Portunhol (mix of Spanish and Portuguese). Rafa also phoned to welcome us and make sure everything was going well. I thought this was a nice touch and made it feel personal.

Although Rafa was already booked out he recommended his colleague, Diana Persi, who he called “Rafa with skirts”. From my experience this was completely TRUE!! Diana replied to all our emails promptly and by the time we met her in Rio, we felt like she’s an old friend. She was funny, easy going, very reliable, and spoke perfect English. She made sure we got to all the places we wanted despite the wet weather that day. Funny enough we bumped into Rafa in one of the churches so we got to meet the man himself.

Being foodies, one of our highlights is a local restaurant in Santa Teresa where Diana took us. I had a chicken dish served with black beans, farofa and rice and she showed me how the locals eat them. It was inexpensive and simple but one of our favourite meals in Rio!We also booked Diana to take us on a trip to Buzios.

She suggested we took a schooner boat which visited a number of the local beaches. What a great idea! We had so much fun in Buzios and it was definitely a side trip worth making. The verdict: GO FOR IT! We think it’s money well spent. The local knowledge made such a difference in our experience of Rio. Thank you Diana, Rafa and Alexander. You are now our friends!!"

WORDS FROM RAFA – Thank you Folks for all the friendship, thank you for the confidence and you both can be sure that in Brazil you will always have friends!!! Hope one day we could go to Australia and check how wonderful your people are and how fascinating this so faraway land is!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

SUZI - SHE MAKES MY WORK IN RIO EASY AND FUN - FABULOUS GUIDE AND AWESOME FRIEND

Talking about being busy, here is the chance to officially introducing someone who is part of my very selective group of best friends and I am so lucky to have this same person to help me in my work.

Suzana Perl...that is her!!!

Her passion for Rio overflows her work...so in the end you will have a friend, that delicious sensation that you have a long time friend showing you the secrets of Rio. She gives you the history of Rio like she was telling something so personal and interesting that you will be always willing to know more, and she is very keen on daily life of a Carioca!!!

Big smile on the face, enormous heart that you can be sheltered and great knowledge about the city, the state and the country!!!

She is part of my staff and I am always very proud and honored to count on her all the time!!! So if one day I recommend Suzi to take care of your trip you can be sure that she will be doing exactly what I do.

She knows how to make Rio part of your current life!!!

We were doing a tour together in the Wetlands in Marapendi and I was really busy having a local ice cream called SACOLÉ!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

THE ADVENTURES OF A FAMOUS LAWYER IN RIO WITH RAFA AND HE IS MY GREAT FRIEND!!!! :)))))))

I have always believed that every DONALD is a good person since my FOREVER AND EVER FAVORITE CHILDHOOD'S CHARACTER was that one you see above!!! :) And I just had the honor to welcome in Rio de Janeiro MR. DON HILLIKER. A wonderful traveller full of curious and brave heart to see unique places in Rio!!!

We have been exchanging messages for a long time, planning every detail about his upcoming trip to Brazil. I hope to first of many trips!!!

And he came...first he was welcomed by my very best friend, dearest sister and great tour guide Vanessa Rodrigues, the most brazilian canadian person that I have ever met in my entire life, and Don had an introduction of our urban daily life walking around all over downtown. then we had our full days also going deep in our culture and endless beauties of Rio.

Don was a generous friend, he came here with his open heart and he is back in Chicago with his heart full of great brazilian memories!!!!

Nothing can be more culturally local than clapping in front of a house to buy a SACOLÉ, specially in these hot days....SACOLÉ is almost a national institution, it is a home made ice cream that has several names in many different regions in Brasil. In Rio it is SACOLÉ, in Maranhão it is called SUQUINHO; in Minas Gerais it has the name of CHUP CHUP and in São Paulo it is known as GELADINHO. My tours also gives you local wisdom and you can experience it.

Recently Don wrote a review and I want to publish his own words about his experiences in Rio and we are happy to share!!!

DON WROTE: "In early February, 2011 I had the extreme good fortune of spending two magnifcent days discovering Rio with Rafael Torres. I found Rafa on TripAdvisor. I contacted him and he promptly responded. I explained that I had only a short time in Rio and wanted to see the highlights, but also to see parts of the city which are not the usual tourist spots to get a feel for the life of the Cariocas. He outdid himself. In our whirlwind two days together we visited the Christ Redeemer statue, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon beaches, the local beaches of Barra and Joa, Tijuca forest, Lapa and the Selaron Stairs in Rio and the beautiful and quiet wetlands of the Marapendi Channels. We drove across the seven kilometer bridge to visit Niteroi, where Rafa grew up, and experienced the beautiful views from that often missed perspective. While there we visited a secluded private beach and had a close up look at a fishing boat unloading its catch in a little village called Jurujuba. We also saw the fantastic Modern Art Museum designed by the iconic Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer

These were all wonderful experiences, but it was the serendipitous moments and Rafa's flexibility and enthusiasm himself for new experiences which were highlights. On our first morning, we visited Lapa to see this bohemian and music area, particularly the Selaron Staircase created by the artist Seleron over the past twenty years. It is a colorful kaleidoscope of tiles and should not be missed. While there we saw a group of people gathering and heard some singing, which occurs everywhere in Rio seemingly for no reason and at any time, and noticed a group gathering for a parade of sorts. It turns out the day was the day the Macumba or Candomble religion, with African roots I believe, celebrates Iemanja, the goddess of the sea. It seems that people parade to the sea with flowers and offerings to the goddess. Ladies were dressed in elaborate white costumes. With a sound truck following them they headed down the street. A great scene. We left them and went on our way. Later in the day when we visited Ipanema beach and Arpoador, a point overlooking Ipanema and Lebon beaches, to enjoy the sunset, we again saw people celebrating Iemanja on the beach with flowers much as we had seen that morning. It was great experience.

The next day, another spur of the moment occurrence was a highlight. I am a sports fan and wanted to see a soccer match if possible. One of the major Rio teams, Fluminense, had a match that night. Early in the morning, Rafa and I went to the club's headquarters to buy tickets. We could have gotten them at the game, but thought it wiser to get them ahead of time to avoid lines in the evening. We were right about that, but more importantly the opportunity to visit the home of the Fluminense Football Club, as it is known and the signs are in English, was a highlight. The person selling tickets wasn't available for a while so we walked around. The club is not simply a soccer facility, but a sprawling complex built probably in the 1930s with a grand old all white headquarters building complete with a large trophy room, of course, grand ballroom with a large chandelier and leaded glass windows. Beyond the headquarters is a soccer stadium that could probably hold 5000 people, tennis courts, diving pool, two Olympic size pools and a gymnasium with indoor soccer and basketball courts. On the morning we were there, the club was alive with men, women and children of all ages playing tennis, diving, learning to swim and snacking in several outdoor eating establishments. Our time there gave me a unique perspective on what life must have been like for Rio's elite many years ago and today. The people watching was great.

The match that night at Engenhao Stadium was fun, but talking with the neighborhood people on the way back to the metro was the best of the evening. We heard of the excitement and anxiety over the coming Olympic games in 2016. There was concern that homes might be sacrificed to upgrade the area around the stadium. We finished the evening at a typical Brazilian restaurant.

I could go on and on about Rafa. He was always concerned about trying to meet my needs and interests. He was prompt, reliable and, very importantly, simply fun to be with. He speaks excellent English, which was important to me, since I speak no Portuguese.

I could not recommend anyone more highly than Rafa. I have traveled for many years to a wide variety of destinations and have never had a better experience that I had in Rio, thanks to Rafa and his colleagues. In my mind, there can be no doubt that he is the No. 1 tour guide for Rio, particularly for anyone who wants not just to see the highlights, but is looking get a better sense of the fabric of life in one of the great cities, and maybe the most beautiful, of the world. Go with Rafa. I am sure you won't be disappointed.

Don Hilliker
Chicago, Illinois

Thank you my Friend...these words makes me sooooo happy...now you are able to tell to everyone in the States that Rio is a really great destination for holidays, you can tell that Rio has a lively vibe and once you know someone of your trust, this could be such a safe choice for you to spend great days in the tropics!!!

Now you know that Rio is not only a travel destination...Rio is the place where you are important, a place that you have real friends!!!

I am so grateful that now Rio belongs to your most special memories!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Don's Friend, Tour Guide and Travel Planner