UNUSUAL SITUATIONS IN A TOUR WITH RAFA

I love to explore the unusual, I really enjoy to take my guests to unique places and I really appreciate the contact between my own people and my guests. Tours for me are not only visiting places, my tours gives you local experiences!!!

Like finding a boat's wrecage in a visit to our fishing village Jurujuba...a cool chance for you to experience local life and great people watching in a place where you will feel UNIQUE.

Plastic Tours are not for me...my tours have to give you laughs, knowledge and great memories!!!

The tours you will never see myself in a microphone ORDERING you to see RIGHT OR LEFT. In my tours you will have to prepare your eyes and get your legs prepared!!!

Goats in the street in a urban center such as Rio??? POSSIBLE!!!! There is an amazing urban fauna everywhere we go in Rio, but do not start thinking that in your first day in Rio you will see monkeys and snakes in the streets, eh??? We have seen horses...pigs...and in the forests please do read my other postings so you will see beautiful birds and some monkeys as well!!!

We have to say to our people how important their work is...I say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to the city cleaners for them to keep the city where I work clean and in order for you to go all around. And NOOOOO, they are not american prisoners...this group was working in our SAMBA PARADE ARENA.

So you will also see Copacabana Beach, Ipanema, the famous Christ, our Sugar Loaf (maybe) and everything you have planned. But be absolutely prepared to be be surprised!!! Be prepare to see great places that you will not see in any travel books...Get used with names like Tiririca, Itacoatiara, Feira do Nordeste, Monarchy in Brazil...things that you will think it is odd, but in the end it will be the best part of your trip!!!

I am here to show you a very different Rio. You will find in Rio de Janeiro someone much more than a tour guide, you will find a friend...MYSELF!!! Or friends...like Marcone, Françoise, Suzana, Diana and more people from my crew!!!

COME TO RIO!!!! And if you are reading my posting for the first time...GOOOOOO and spread the news!!! Tell to all your friends that if they ever think about coming to Brazil (even Obama came!!!) they will find someone who will show everywhere with crazy passion!!!!

Thank you very much,

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

RIO IS HAPPINESS AND FAVELA IS PURE JOY

I usually visit the popular community of Santa Marta. It is an opportunity I have to show to my guests how friendly and so warm our people are. From different levels of our society...there will be always a smile to tell you how special you are just for visiting us. Favela has been known as a place for poverty and violence...For long periods of our history it was not really a happy place or some plce to visit. Now since the population is reacting againts crime. The Favela is now like its very beggining the BIRTH OF SAMBA, THE BIRTH OF SAMBA and one of the fewest place where you can really see how genuine THE CARIOCA people can be. I always have fun when I visit it...These pictures were taken by my german friend Ollie that has a very deep concern about social projects and he was happy to see that people in the Favela are helping each other and also to notice that there is a strong presence in the State giving to this people at least a decent life and also it is great to see that there are also a concern among all people to improve and provide better life's conditions in poor communities. We are all working for a better World.

Visiting a Favela is also great for PEOPLE WATCHING and they really make you participate...If you go there in a hot day, people will be bathing themselves outside using basket...As I love water I did not say no and I was completely soaked. So be prepared, anything that happens there will be for the sake of your total joy and your presence there just help this people.

So in every visit...let's go to a grocery and buy some food supplies and let's be part of this community!!!!

There will be always a great surprise when you join me to explore this so different World in the city of Rio. And one more thing, the views from there are simply breath taking.

RAFAEL TORRES LOPES

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

CANADIANS IN THE TROPICS - TOM AND ANDRE CHOSE RIO AND I WAS THE FORTUNATE TOUR GUIDE - READ SOME OF OUR WORDS HERE

Rio de Janeiro lives in the mind of so many travellers in the World and this is wonderful for my work!!! hahahahaha :) But there are possibilities that you can just have a "plastic" idea of the city, but you can also have the chance to have a MASSIVE EXPERIENCE IN TOWN...So much that you will consider Rio de Janeiro your house!!!

RIO IS NOW IN THE THOUGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE BECAUSE OF BARACK OBAMA'S VISIT - He is here exactly today - saturday, March 19th...Also because of our huge economical growth..and the so expected World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016...

And the good news of all...I will be here!!! :)

I like to give to a traveller the real experience in Rio and a real view of all over the country...Yes...when you come to Rio you will be willing to get to know more places and Brazil has a big MENU VARIETY for all your dreams and wishes, and believe me...I DO MY BEST TO MAKE IT TRUE!!!! :)))

Again, my canadian friends from Windsor - VIVA CANADA!!!!! - Tom and Andre trusted me their time in Rio and I had the pleasant mission to make it possible, and wow we did a lot...we saw places out of the touristy industry, we visit places where the daily like is an attraction itself, we met people...we had much more than tours...we had a real adventure!!!!

Marcone and I welcome our friends in Lapa to go to a live concert of our great singer Maria Rita, we went to Lapa in the best days to enjoy brazilian culture in our bohemian Lapa...it was a busy saturday night!!! Always special to have you in Rio, folks!!!

Lapa is always a fantastic chance for us to watch in a closer way the best of Brazilian Street Art in Rio de Janeiro..these graffite was made by art students from our Public Schools, it is a cool attempt to convince our young ones to make beautiful art instead of horrible and trashy graffites!!! Lapa is the best way for you to get familiar with our people and a fantastic PEOPLE WATCHING opportunity.

Funny street scenes are found in my so famous shortcuts...it is great that you can see how the city lives!!! We never expect to find horses in our urban life!!! But it is possible!!!

A visit in Rio never willl be complete if we do not see this fabulous human work close to the city center...THE SELARON STAIRS are located right in between two traditional BAIRROS of Rio. Santa Tereza and Lapa. Going there is always a great chance for you to see how Rio is outside of famous postcards and touristy places. Selaron is the name of the artists that literally change the HISTORY of these two neighborhoods in Rio that hold, I would say, the soul of Rio!!!

Selaron is a character, it is always better to meet him in a good temper which is not always so common. but he has a good soul and he is a dear friend of mine. His opinions are bombastic, but which artists are not extravagant!!!

Tom and Andre had a great time there and we loved to find lots of tyles from Canada!

Of course Niteroi is part of my tours and always will be!!! Niteroi is the great surprise of a trip to Rio and many places that you will see might be the highlight of your days. We always visit a genuine indigenous tribe, the so called MBOY TE tribe, direct descendent of the Guarani Tribe which is present in many states in our country!!!

NITEROI IS THE CITY WHERE I WAS BORN AND RAISED!!!

Just to keep my tradition, I always meet guests and say good buy to remarkable friends!!! Super special to know that Andre and Tom are canadians because I have Canada so present in my life and heart.

They were so generous that TOM wrote a review for me on TripAdvisor and I am happy to share with all of you his words!!!!

WORDS FROM CANADA: "I don't want you to see me as a tour guide, but as a friend in Rio"

We booked Rafa in the last few minutes before we boarded our place ride from Canada and he helped accommodate us with every step he could. He helped arrange a ride for us from the airport while we were already on the plane heading there. The driver was on time and courteous even though our plane was delayed over an hour.

We were lucky to have been squeezed into his tight schedule on one of the first days we were in Rio and it was by far the best day we had in Brazil. We were picked up early in the day and had a full-day experience. From the get-go, it was as if we had been friends for ages; it was very comforting since we didn't know anyone there (and our Portuguese was terrible... haha). He fluently speaks multiple languages and kept teaching us things to help us for the rest of our week as well as what to do and where to avoid.

He kept telling us to give him feedback about what we were doing and if we liked something we'd stay longer or do more things like it, and if we didn't enjoy it, we'd move on to something else. Though it's hard not to enjoy yourself when you're in his company surrounded by the culture of a place like Rio. He always seemed to manage to find areas that were phenomenal for sightseeing that you'd think would be loaded with tourists, yet we were the only ones there. It made for awesome picture-taking abilities since you could get any angle at any time and never feel crowded or rushed.

He was very well-known with locals in the various places we went to, since he's done this for so long. Because of that, they helped make our experience even more unique than any other guide could've provided for us.

We had gone just after the Favela wars were making the news and he was very eager to talk to and thank various police officers that we passed for their efforts in the battles. He's a very caring guy, and that really helped us to bond with him on a better level than I thought we could with someone we'd just met that day.

Without hesitation I'd recommend Rafa as someone who should be your tour guide if you visit Rio. Even if you've been there, I guarantee you, he'll find new thigs that you probably never even realized were there.

Raf, thanks for an awesome experience. We can't wait to see you again. Who knows, maybe we'll go for the Olympics or World Cup, haha.

Tom/Andre -- Ontario, Canada

RAFA WORDS - Folks, having you so happy while we strolled around in Rio is a simple result of a full passion for my land and the great love I have for all people, and this gave me wonderful friends like you guys!!!

I will always do everything humanly possible to keep our countries always together!!!

Thank you very much and give my kisses to all friends in Windsor!!!! I LOVE ONTARIO!!!!

Yours Faithfully,

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

FACEBOOK - YES ADD ME YOU ALL - http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001492994769

A FROZEN AND HAPPY TOUR GUIDE IN TORONTO - RAFA

When I decided to cross Toronto's Lake just to see what's in the other side I fastly noticed that I was the only one in the deck...I wonder why...

But I have to tell you that is the best way to see the skyline of the city!!!

I was going to Centre Island in some islands that I am sure in the summer must be very interesting, full of parks, gardens and people seeking for some fun escaping from the big city...

Yes I was on Toronto a long time ago and it that time I did not realize that I would get so many wonderful friends, NOT ONLY IN TORONTO BUT IN THE WHOLE ONTARIO AREA...A Province that I adore and always have a good time!


This is to say that I love Canada!!! Always do...Canada is part of my heart and this land share with me most of my dearest life's memories!!!

I am proud to be a friend of Canadians...I am proud also to have so many friends in North America that gave me so much fun in my tours all around Brazil and South America!

I am very fortunate because my job makes me be THE FRIEND OF THE WORLD!!!

And Hallo World...it is fantastic to be your friend!!!

Please for other people not from Canada...do not be jealous...My endless heart has space for everybody!!!

It is just a special part in my blog to tell all the Canadians how special they are to me!

So come to Rio...it is not so cold as Canada, but the warmth of Canada is present all year round!!!

BIG HUGS TO ALL FRIENDS IN CANADA!!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes
Tour guide and Travel Planner

A SWEET AND PLEASANT "HOURS OFF" THANKS TO OUR GERMAN FRIENDS SANDY AND BERNIE

This work is so incredible that always gives me fantastic friends! And for the second time my german friends Sandy and Bernie came to Rio and they gave me a "tough" mission, taking them to Angra dos Reis. Which is a city in the south of Rio full of paradise islands (ONE OF THEM IS ILHA GRANDE) and fabulous inlets.

They are great travellers...they do enjoy spending some wild days guess where???? PARAGUAY!!! But they proved that Paraguay is really a good destination specially if you visit a GuestHouse on the Lake Ipacaray in the outskirts of Assumpcion, the Capital of the Country.

The Guest House they stayed is called EL MIRADOR - if you like animals and wild life...do not miss it!!! I think I will go to Paraguay just to visit them!!! The place is very green, the house is like a very well furnished family house, and be prepared to see a lot of cats and dogs....and BELIEVE IT OR NOT...get prepared to see a PUMA (a cougar!!!!!) - the only time I saw one was in the north of Quebec Province and an OCELOT. SO IF YOU ARE A NATURE LOVER GO TO PARAGUAY!!!!

And Paraguay has a beautiful nature specially around Paraguay River, the many different falls all over the country specially the Monday Falls but it is important to have a local to be with you all the time.

This paradise has a website - http://www.el-mirador.info/

After some days resting in the rural and countryside area of Paraguay (and for german standard, this is considered a super and excentric trip - which I love!!!) they came to Rio...staying for the second time at MARTA'S GUEST HOUSE. The famous penthouse in Copacabana beach (you can read more if you visit www.rioguesthouse.com)

Sandy asked me to take them to Angra and I accepted...it was a work mixed with fun and rest. And Marcone agreed to join us!!!

For those who do not know, Marcone is a great member of my team of tour guides, he is my very best friend..english teacher...university student..he is everything!!!


The challenge was accepted and after so many curves driving around the Contorno Road we finally reached the Cottage Pousada da Figueira. It is a very green spot right in front of a fantastic inlet..the beach has the same name: FIGUEIRA.

I confess that after many times I have been to Angra, I have never stepped foot in this green and secluded piece of Paradise!!!

FIGUEIRA BEACH IS LIKE THIS....Very calm sea, so clean and the sparkling green waters are like I say...A REAL ORGASM!!!

We took this day to rest and relax..it was not a day off...but let's say...it was a delicious "hours off"

This beautiful panoramic picture was taken by Bernie and you can see Sandy, Marcone and I enjoying the beach and the magical scenery of Figueira. This place shows you that Brazil is a fantastic option for every kind of holiday that you can ever think for your life!!!

Nature and the ideal place for romance...The great taste of my german couple brought me to this place. The cottage is a great place to stay, very private, very well fornished...people there have style. Another very positive issue in the Pousada...their food is simply outstunning...

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ALL MY GUEST TO EXPERIENCE THIS POUSADA...Pouada da Figueira - here is their website: http://pousadadafigueira.com.br/enIndex.html

Bernie and Sandy are very sure that Brazil is their home away from Germany!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

TALKING RAFA IN SYDNEY - LOVE FROM THE KANGAROO'S LAND!!!

Wow...never been there but I can tell you...I LOVE AUSTRALIA...just visited one single place in the United States but I can say I AM ALWAYS IN LOVE WITH THE USA...

Because these places are simply very special and as a result of 12 years of hard work...every now and then I just get such a wonderful gift from wonderful and dear friends that I have made....

DON HILLIKER...a brave man, a courageous traveller and curious trakker from Chicago, continue his journey to the most interesting lands of this World....From lively Rio de Janeiro, he ended up in the very other side of the World and stopped in Sydney!!!

And in Sydney he met my BELOVED friends MARIA and TIM....and I guess they had a great time talking about their adventures in Rio de Janeiro with me!!!

Well, this 3 people who have A ROYAL PALACE in my heart and a luxurious PENTHOUSE in my memory!!!!

THERE IS JUST ONE THING THAT I CAN SAY...THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!

Hope one day I can make it to Chicago and hope one day I can finally make it to laugh out loud with my friends in Sydney....

Folks, I love you all... I wish all the great things in life to all of you!!!

MUITO OBRIGADO...and be sure that Rio de Janeiro will be more than a destination. My city will be always your home away from home.

YOURS FAITHFULLY AND ABSOLUTELY HAPPY

RAFA!!!!!!!!!!

FORGIVE US - IT IS CARNAVAL!!!!

Hallo Folks!!! YES...IT IS ME!!!! RAFAEL TORRES LOPES and sure, it is MARCONE LIMA, probably your first tour guides who will make your experience in Rio such a fantastic experience!

We are two tour guides, two friends and two great lovers of RIO DE JANEIRO!!!! And we know how to enjoy the best parties of Rio and during this period SO INTERNACIONALLY KNOWN AS CARNAVAL we could never MISS the blocos in Lapa!!!!

And our great companiors of SAMBA are our cousins and spectacular friends GLEICE and her husband ANDRÉ. We had a blast at Antonio's which stands right in the traditional corner of Lavradio Street and Mem de Sá Street...no so far from the SAMBA TEMPLE of Carioca da Gema!


The most delicious snacks, the very brazilian PETISCOS and a lot of CHOPPS (draft beer) and of course my favorite cachaças (the brazilian liquor extracted from the SUGAR CANE) and great conversation about non sense stuff and serious stuff as well...We had the best of our Carnaval. Simply spending some time in RAINY Lapa!!!

As we usually say when it is raining in Rio...Rio was crying with strong emotion to see so many happiness in the air!!! And we just had fun...

We were just part of 2 million people celebrating the Carnaval in the Streets of Lapa...It is indeed the biggest Carnaval on Earth. Rio opens its soul with no shame during Carnaval....This is the time we have to free our souls and we love it!!!

count on us everytime you really want to explore the insiders of Rio, we are here to make you much more than normal tourists, when you come under our hands (and care) we will make you be part of our society. You will feel a little bit brazilian (sometimes totally!) when you meet us. You can be deeply self-assured about it!!!

WISHING YOU TONS OF JOY, RAFA AND MARCONE REMAIN,

RAFAEL TORRES LOPES

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

FAVELAS - THE HIDDEN AND NOW OPEN PROFILE OF RIO - VISIT OR NOT????

I guess you really should experience a visit to a local community in Rio specially in places where there are a lot of social projects going on. Those poor communities are the so called FAVELAS...some years ago strongly connected with violence, drug dealing and all sort of crime. This is the sad side of some favelas of Rio de Janeiro but this wonderful people reacted against this sad taboo and changed completely life in these poor places...

First...FAVELA WAS AND STILL IS A PLACE OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO STRIVE HARD FOR LIFE...They are poor but their lives are deeply decent...The views of some favelas are absolutely stunning and one more reason...favelas are the birth of Samba...

If you come to Rio to experience the real life of our city then you should include a visit in places where very few visitors go and be part of our daily life. AND FAVELAS ARE REALLY A LIVELY SIDE OF RIO THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY OF THINKING THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEFORE COMING TO RIO CONNECTING OUR REALITY WITH CRIME.

Yes, we still have problems, but who don't??? People are reacting and fighting to make Rio a fascinating place for you to enjoy your holiday and come back over and over again.


First you can see different perspectives of Rio just by visiting one favela, and the places I usually go is the Community of Santa Marta. It is an experience of a life time, great for people watching, great to see what's going on in very different ways of life in Rio. A visit to Santa Marta will be a chance to be close to the main attractions of Rio, the Sugar Loaf and the Christ.

Standing right below the foot of Christ...one morning in Dona Marta will show all the grace of Carioca People...where despite of the social condition you will always get a generous smile from a child, you will walk in the alleys where very few people dare to visit by themselves. I think that visiting a favela is the best way for you to understand life in Rio no matter which social level you belong!

There were one visitor that came here and had a great time...Michael Jackson...In 1996 the video clip THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US (see on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwQFGZ0bFbs) was filmed in Salvador, Bahia State and here in Rio de Janeiro right in the community where I am always happy to show you. He left lots of funny and important stories for this people and Michael lives in every person's mind in the community of Dona Marta. The viewpoint where he dances is now a LANDMARK with a beautiful mural made by our famous painter Brito and there is also a statue where Michael is pointing the way to see beautiful things: RIO!!!!

For photography lovers it is the right spot for PEOPLE'S PHOTO...and through our lens we can translate to the World the simply life people take in so many poor communities of Rio...Poor, yes they are, but they are happy and they simply have a normal life and it is great to see it closer.

I love photography and I love to exercise my hobby in every little corner of Rio, and Santa Marta is for sure one of them!!!

In my tours we can really go far in the journey of all social levels of Rio de Janeiro...In Niteroi there is a fascinating fishing village called Jurujuba where people live with simplicity, where pace of life is slow like a turtle and the views are breathtaking and we can learn more about life in some unknow corners of Rio de Janeiro. In this case a visit to the fishing village is almost all the time included when I speak about TOUR IN NITEROI.

For the record, Niteroi is the second most important city of the State and once it was the capital of Rio de Janeiro State.

Once I went there with my friends and guests from Mexico, Eduardo and Maribel...and we had a blast!

Since our security forces establish an occupation programmes in the Favelas, these places became a source of fun for our own people and also for many visitors. The first time I went to a Favela after this new period of peace in many communities in Rio de Janeiro, I did not need to go so far, here in Copacabana, a few blocks from my apartment, me and my great friend Luis (who is also used to visit all the slums in Caracas where he does a wonderful social work teaching portuguese to poor people) decided to spend one afternoon in a favela called CHAPEU DA MANGUEIRA. This is where we have lots of samba parties not only during Carnaval but all year round.

Luis was born in Brazil but he lives in Venezuela for a long time when his father immigrated tom Caracas when in that time they really believed in the future. Now he is one of the people who are resisting in Venezuela trying to live his life in a normal way. As you know, people are living in Venezuela with a lot of difficulties, but one thing is the Government another COMPLETELY different thing is the people who are WONDERFUL. Luis comes every year to see his own land and live the free life of Samba.

He is a great Brazil lover and always help me to find some new secrets of Rio that I am always ready to take you!!!

SO IF ONCE YOU ARE INTERESTED TO SEE A FAVELA, TELL ME WITH SOME DAYS IN ADVANCE AND I WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE!!!

LOTS OF LOVE AND GOD BLESSES YOU ALL!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

SUPER FRANÇOISE - A TOUR WITH OUR CANADIAN FRIENDS

Canada loves us and we are honored!!! :) They are my 4th most requested guests and I personally have an affair with deep love with Canada. It is a country that gave me shelter for almost 3 months in the winter of 2005, and since then I have welcomed and made friends with marvelous people from this cold (but warm soul) land called CANADA!!!



So attention to all canadians - KEEP ON SENDING ME PEOPLE!!!!



And this is another opportunity I have to express my gratitute and the certainty that I HAVE A FANTASTIC GUIDE IN MY STAFF!!!!



Françoise Sztajn...she helps me taking my guests to very unique places where you can have the real taste of our brazilian lands!!! She is an adorable friend and very efficient guide that I will always recommend you, just like I also recommend my other guides which also give to my guests such fabulous tours like Marcone, Suzi, Diana, Marcio and so many other associates.

Our friend Janine came to Rio and she wanted to have a very complete experience in Rio, I was busy in that time and I recommended Françoise to take good care of them and they had a perfect day in Rio and Niteroi.



I am honored to work with you Françoise and below you will find Janine's comment about the great day they had with you which I proudly publish.

JANINE'S WORDS: "When you are in Rio de Janeiro and want to have a great time, do contact Françoise Sztaijn for a personal tour! Françoise works with Rafael Torres who has also been given great reviews on Trip Advisor.

Françoise has lived in Rio for over 20-years and knows the city well, she speaks English, is enthusiastic, bubbly and has a great sense of humour. Her email is: francoise@sztajn.com.br

We spent a wonderful fun-filled day with her in January. Francoise picked us up at our hotel to show us Rio from the perspective of someone living there. So we crossed the bay to Niteroi for another view of the city. Visited the Modern Art Museum where we tasted fresh coconuts, a colourful fishing village down the road and then to the Fort at the point.

Lunch was a local restaurant with good food & beer. Crossed back to Rio and went up to Cristo Redentor (Corcovado) for a fabulous view looking out onto the Atlantic with the lake below and beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. Behind us Sugar Loaf and the city spreading 60-kms to the west.

Then it was down the back of the park to a mangrove where we took a water taxi to explore the islands and inlets full of wildlife and homes tucked away in their own world. Out last stop was a local fruit & vegetable grocer – so fresh and delicious.

What a great way to get to know the real Rio!!

Enjoy life!! " Janine Loring

Thank you Janine, be sure that you will always have friend here, your words just help us to be even better than we are!!! And Thank You Bubbly Françoise for such a magnificent work and to make our tours brilliant like the stars.

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner