PARATY - STRONG INDIGENOUS PRESENCE - THE REAL LAND OWNERS

Attention all PHOTOGRAPHY LOVERS!!!! Humbling speaking, I feel this is one of my best photos since I start to be an amateur photographer...YUUUUUUPIEEEEE!!! :) And I am happy that my victims were such dearest people like Marcone - THE FAMOUS MINI RAFA - and my great friend from North Carolina, Terrence. A very pristigeous doctor in Chapel Hill and a great doctor of joy, friendship and love in Brazil. A Dear Friend, a Real Brother and Loyal Guest.

Terrence in his various trips to Brazil always used my tours to see things that he knows it will provide unique experiences...and this time we chose to go to Paraty.

We went to see the exihibition at Casa da Cultura in Paraty that gives us a wonderful overall of our Native Population. And Paraty has a great opportunity to show their people and also to all visitors because the land was populated by the legendary Guaianás Indian Population that helped the portuguese to settle this wonderful corner in the South Shore of Rio State, they were strong enemies of the Tupiniquins, a fierced tribe whose canibals fame was well known by the Colonizers and Explorers..One of them had the sad luck to be a hostage and was nearly eaten alive, Hans Staden...the history of this german explorer gives a wonderful adventurous book in Brazil.

I am always interested about European Explorers who settled Brazil since the very beggining of our existance, and we have recent ones like our incredible photographer Maureen Bisilliat, she made an excellent work picturing the fascinating tribe Xingu in the middle of our country that streches between the Marshy lands of the Pantanal to the Amazon Jungle of Pará State. A very traditional Nation of Warriors. Maureen is from England, borned in Engle Fields, Surrey. Now she takes care of our famous and very important Latin American Memorial which is also the Latin American Institute in São Paulo.

In my opinion our indigenous population does not have the respect they deserve, specially the indigenous population in our Coast which I am quite familiar.

Marcone and I are very curious about Brazil's Heritage and Native Populations because we want to show to the World the value of our Country. We are proud Brazilians and we love to provide lots of knowledge and deep information about everything in the country. Marcone comes from Maranhão, one of the wildest States in Brazil where the indigenous population is massive. I was born in Rio and I always travelled all over Brazil in search of our own identity and I came across with many indigenous population specially in the Amazon and in the limits of Brazil and Argentina in the Iguazu Falls Area. I spent a lot of time getting to know the Guarani Population and we are very surprised to find part of the Guarani population here in the State of Rio, a small group in my dear homeland Niteroi and also a bigger village in a jungle spot in the mountains of Paraty, in a location called PARATY MIRIM and also a very important indigenous village in the State of São Paulo near the coast in Bertioga.

Well, at least I am reliefed to think that my Guests will not only have a Tour Guide, if you come to Rio de Janeiro you will be a real expert about Brazil and your time with us will worth Gold.

You will have someone who are passionate about Paraty...I must confess Paraty is no doubt one of my favorite places in Brazil. Our guest can be sure that no matter who will guide you. Myself, Marcone, Françoise, Suzi and Diana will give you THE REAL EXPERIENCE!!!

And the most important thing...I am not FORMAL...I AM VERY INFORMAL!!! :) hahahaha :)

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A Proud Brazilian

PARATY - HISTORIC CENTRE HOSTEL - FULLY RECOMMENDED BY RAFA

Location is perfect, it stands right in the heart of the HISTORIC CENTER of Paraty!!! The neighbors cannot be any better..The Hostel stands next door to the CASA DA CULTURA and to the COIN CRAFT MAKER, the uruguayan (and brazilian at heart) Marcelo Dalto who has his own workshop called ATELIER ARACATI - His work is simply amazing!!! - PLEASE VISIT HIS BLOG - http://www.moedasearte.blogspot.com/

The Staff - FIRST CLASS...Glaucio and his people will always make sure that you will feel at home. Breakfast is simple like all HOSTELS, but it has a personal touch, the guests are always very well cultured people and the environment is simply very cool.

The House for sure is one of the old CASARÕES of Paraty - These are very old colonial houses preserved as a National Patrimony...the architecture is typically portuguese, meaning that the house has way more than 200 years. So space is fully guaranteed and the room is simply very pleasant, clean and comfortable!

The image speaks for me....cozy ambience...very warm when it is cold and completely cool when it is hot...equipped by ceiling fan and air conditioning, private bath room and very comfortable beds. All the with a price that you can really afford and you will be located in a prime region of the village. Right in the Center and close to the Pier where the boats leave for you to explore the marvelous and various islands of Paraty.

The HISTORIC CENTRE HOSTEL has a PATIO where you can commute with other people, a large table where you can chack your emails with two computers they offer and FREE WIFI - this is very important!!!

This is also the place where you will have your breakfast which I live very much and you can have the Bob's company...the dog of the house!!! : ))))))

I just have very good reasons for us to stay at HISTORIC CENTRE HOSTEL...it is a place for all ages..there is not a specific age group profile to stay there, no matter who you are, you will be treated like a very dear relative for the folks in the place. Very handy because you are close to the stores, to the cultural centers, to the main square Praça da Matriz, to the main lovely restaurants and to the Pier that allows you to choose many different boats for you to explore the islands.

Personally, I think the place is absolutely gorgeous...pleasant environment. You will love to stay there!!! You can book a place for you by adding their facebook profile which is http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000765868330 or you can write an email directly to historiccentrehostel@hotmail.com and also do visit their webpage which is http://www.historiccentrehostel.com/ing%20index.htm

You see??? There is no way to escape...make your reservation as soon as possible, and way in advance because the look for private rooms are very competitive!!! You request the dates way in advance upon deposits.

Thanks Glaucio for the warm welcome and excellent services that you provided for me, Marcone and Terrence...RIO DE JANEIRO AND CHAPEL HILL WILL ALWAYS RECOMMEND YOUR PLACE!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

Madly in love with Paraty

AMAZING BREAKFAST IN A HOME IN PARATY

In the morning that I was supposed to rest and enjoy my free Sunday in one of the most interesting places in Brazil, I was answering email since six in the morning...Oh well, Passion for work???? Or too much committed with guests who cannot wait????

Well, This is me!!! I had to share my food with an incredible new friend, BOB...He is the dog of the hostel I was staying...his eyes very vibrant and such a clever dog...since I sat down he came to meto say GOOD MORNING!! In a Dog Style: AUCH AUCH AUCH...

How can you resist with such a look???? Well, he had some prime breakfast because I shared my food with him. He likes cheese!!! :) Bob is a mix of labrador and guess what...PIT BULL...

All dogs are wonderful, it has to do how you bring them up...And Bob was raised in a very cool and people's environment. He grew up among travellers from all over the World.

Glaucio, the hostel owner did a grewat Job to educate this GENTLEDOG!!!

The breakfast is simple but plenty...the basic coffe, milk, chocolate powder...bread...fruit juices, ham and cheese. It is a HOSTEL and what a wonderful HOSTEL!!!

Prices are really great, really affordable and comfort is amazing...you can have your private room. Very well equipped with TV, A/C and comfortable beds with a private bath room. So quiet as all the rooms in Paraty.

For animal lovers...the HISTORIC CENTRE HOSTEL is Paradise...We have the company of Bob which is a sort of RP..and in the morning you hear all the birds and the monkeys!

I had the pleasure to invite my North Carolina friend Terrence Brayboy to join us in this little but so expected weekend. Marcone also came but he prefered to spend more time in bed because though we were resting we had a very busy agenda to explore the beauties of Paraty!!!

I will tell you more later...including I have to write about the Hostel which I highly recommend, you can add the HISTORIC CENTRE HOSTEL in Facebook, their profile is http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000765868330

I was there and I met all the folks...GREAT WORK!!! Wonderful place!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A Paraty Fanatic

GOOD MORNING PARATY!!!!

How delicious is waking up in a village that in a way stopped in time!!! Waking up with the birds and what a privilege hearing a BEM TE VI in my first "late hours" of the morning...

Here I reserved the right of waking up a little bit late without my "rooster Alarm"...how fascinating is coming across with a deep blue sky, with joyful sunshine on the old white walls of my flowering city...PARATY...

By the way, BEM TE VI is a little yellow chested and brown wing bird very common everywhere in Brazil with beautiful sing.

Good Morning Paraty!!! Here I am as usual, not so frequent as I wish to be but always with the heart open for NATURE INSPIRATION, for this lovely power of sound that only allow you to hear the birds...this lazy walking in the cobbled stones pavement where each corners give you a different sight to the sea and to the mountains.

GOOD MORNING RAFAEL...so tired of so many time to accomplish, of so many rush, so many crazy schedules and so many "heres and theres".

GOOD MORNING YOURSELF so curious about Brazil, so excited for you upcoming trip..so I introduce you this wonderful place full of history, full of incredible popular culture, full of endless ocean landscapes, full of navigator legends, full of tastes and full of colors!!!

GOOD MORNING MYSELF....This is the place where ME, MYSELF and I have some rest...this is the place where I like to see ME wondering in the streets of PAST to talk with my PRESENT about which directions I should go!!!

GOOD MORNING MY DESERVED REST that still demands to stand in front of the computer to write and write...I am very fortunate because I do enjoy this stuff.

Paraty is really a endless source of inspiration!!! :)))))))

IMPOSSIBLE not to fall in love with such a quietness and IMPOSSIBLE not to pay attention in a place preserved from all this countless years of constant growth and changes...Paraty got stuck in a time that do not belong to us but the city allows you to feel the vibe of those very distant days...when Rio was the capital of the portuguese Colony, and when Rio was the Capital of the Portuguese Kingdon and until now where all the people with good taste reach this charming town just to chill out.

Paraty is not only the wonderful place where I organize tours, it is my resting shelter...the little corner where I find inspiration for life. The place where "I meet with mysef"

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

With full of PHILOSOPHY!!!!

OFF TO PARATY!!!! YOUR GUIDE DESERVES A REST! :)

But I will be back to Rio on monday and absolutely ready for a tour with canadian and american guests!!! :)

Yes...Paraty is one of my private shelters, also a place where I organize some tours, that means that one day I will take you there to get so fascinated with the incredible islands, lush jungle and fantastic waterfalls!!!

I am taking the chance that our friend from Chapel Hill, NC, Terrence is here, so Marcone and I will take him there! So it will be a little time to relax!!!

If you type Paraty in the search engine of this blog you will see more photos and you will know more about my deep love about this joyable historic town!!!

Our love for Paraty is boundless, everytime I go there is a time for complete pleasure!!! Its people...from all over Brazil and the World...its food, from the italian cottage in the middle of the jungle who makes home spaguettis...wonderful scenery and absolutely surprise in the middle of the Bush...from hidden waterfalls and very old sugar cane farms...

The land of Cachaça...the land of lazyness so I am ready to spend some hours in LAZY BASIS!!!!

But work never stops, in the evening I will reply my emails and MONDAY I WILL BE TOURING IN RIO!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

Resting in Paraty

RAFA - VERY PERSONAL - MY PERSIAN QUEEN - KIKINHA - 5 MONTHS NOW

In my family we always had a tradition to have cats. I was raised with cats in my house. Now that I am living on my own, I decided to have my own cat. And thanks to my cousin Gleice who is a Persian Breeder, Kikinha is giving us lots of happiness in the house!!!

ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT SHE IS CHARACTER!!!!!

I do not need an ALARM CLOCK any more...Every morning, specially the EARLIEST hour she jumps in my bed and gives me a very warm kiss in the nose, and not satisfied to kiss me, she steps on my back and makes me feel I am a soft grass where she can gets her claws (which I cut every now and then). Just like our ENGLISH FRIEND SIMON WITH HIS CAT THAT YOU CAN SEE ON YOU TUBE - Do watch this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q

I have to change my routine, now I am the one who clean the little box and worry to visit some petshops around Copacabana. Marcone also helps me alot and he also agrees that she is the Queen in the House.

I just felt like sharing one of my biggest happiness in life. I am a cat person and I love all animals as you can easily see in my blog. It is absolutely great that you can get to know much more about your guide in Rio and this is why I dedicate some space in my crazy life to update this blog...that one secret...one day it will be my book.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A CAT friend

A TOUR TO FIND OUR A FANTASTIC CITY - RIO DE JANEIRO

When you choose to come to Rio and if by chance you have a guide called Rafael Torres Lopes, these are the places where you will see in one day tour. More than taking guests, I will be showing the best places of Rio for new friends that each of you will be!

We have famous places and unknown incredible surprises...very privilege views where you can explore your photography skills. Places that will remain in your minds forever.

In the tours, my major concern is giving you great memories of Rio.

I am sure all my guests have looooooads of fun here. Specially because I trully believe that one of the great joys of travelling is the thrill of the unexpected. It’s that magic vision, sound or taste that tingles your spine, slaps your face and disables your speech. You know, I travel, we travel, for the adventure and the scenery, for the culture and the fun!

And my wish when I first meet you is to get you in touch with our daily life so you can understand that Rio has a fascinating soul. The vibe of Rio makes any trip special!!!

I was honored and really glad to show the main places of Rio is such a short time to my Indiana's friend that trusted me their trip and I did my best to make it unique!!!

When you write to me requesting a tour, I will always have an itinerary that will make you see all of Rio, it will be a very intense day, full of laughs, full of different views and full of information. Showing you the places is not only the secret of a successful tour in Rio, you have to understand the secret of so many joy that Rio can offer.

I am here, much more than a simple Tour Guide, I am here to be your friend and I will take you to see my city with the EYES OF A LOCAL.

And thanks to my work I have wonderful friends in Indiana...what a fantastic couple I just met!!! Tim and Gill are my family in Indiana...wonderful and great State in the US. I hope to reach 100 years of friendship with all folks in Indiana just like Indianapolis Grand Prix is celebrating. 100 years of speed tradition!!! WOW!!!!

Your friend,

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

MORE LOCALS THAT WE CAN FIND - YES WE HAVE MONKEYS IN RIO DE JANEIRO

But not crossing the streets of Copacabana or stealing jewels of innocent ladies in the streets of Ipanema....Today we found the two species of monkey that we can find in the city. Out of the city there are more species but in Rio not every day, you can come across with these cute but not always in the mood monkeys.

This one is called MICO ESTRELA, also known as Sagui..they are cheerful and quite curious...I always find them when I have tours around the Sugar Loaf area, I love hiking there...Claudio Coutinho is the name of the park, it is a military area in Vermelha Beach.

And another "chap" we found is never really in a good temper but they are crazy for some food...I even risked my Tour Guide Reputation when I decided to buy one banana and give a little meal to my Capuchin friends...We had a nice time sharing the "desired fruit" until a Forest Guard came and nearly gave me a fine which is normally very high...Some environment laws in Brazil are very severe, and feeding animals of the local fauna is forbidden. Well...there are people who give HOT DOGS to monkeys, I was giving something which is a very traditional part of their diet!!!!!

These capuchin monkeys had different colors, size and habitats...these ones we mostly found at Tijuca National Park. And these monkeys are not grateful at all...they can be very agressive...

I must be very clear to you...not in every tour we will come across with them...but do not find strange if I suddenly ask you to bring some bananas for the tours!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

AN UNEXPECTED LOCAL WE MET TODAY! :)))) WOW!!!!

You know...this is not a situation that we have everyday...but a meeting with this local made my friends' Tim and Gill trip sooooo special...We were walking in the surroundings of Sugar Loaf Mountain in a walkaway called PISTA CLAUDIO COUTINHO...And guess what...we decided to say hallo to our friend "ANACONDA" TORRES LOPES! :) hahahahahahah

She or he was sleeping, maybe after a rich meal full of little monkeys, some wild pigs, once in a while some stupid birds....We call this snake JIBOIA...very commonly found in our Atlantic Forest...Very seldon they attack humans...our meat is not that delicious for her!!! She prefers other delights!!!

I wish I could sleep under the shade of a Almond tree like our friend Anaconda, specially with a wonderful ocean view in Vermelha Beach, But I did want to register this moment and to let you know that I very much focus my tours in Nature, in People's Culture and off the beaten path places!!!

Be sure that when you come to Rio under my care...you will be back as part of our Land too, and I am sure you will be back.

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

LAPA - A NIGHT SHOW IN RIO

Nothing better than taking one friday night or saturday night and go to Lapa!!! :)

Simply amazing thing to do when you come to Rio, it is really a way to understand the JOY and the MOVEMENT of such ALIVE city!!! Late at night...3:00 in the morning...people chilling out with a lot of happiness with a lot of music everywhere...

Lapa is the capital of night life in Rio for centuries!!!! :)

LAPA is simply amazing....Lapa in old portuguese means "lightining"...and your night in LAPA can be absolutely BRIGHT.

People from all over the city goes to Lapa provinding an amazing democratic space!!! ALL AGES, ALL COLORS, ALL MUSIC....

Tim and Gill from Indiana - USA - went to Lapa with me and we had great fun!!! :)

Regarding music...in my night tour you can be rest assured that you will see the TEMPLE OF OUR VERY INFORMAL SAMBA...the stage where all the musicians coming from the real roots of Samba perform. A place where new voices like Ana Costa and Ana Dionisio started their career...A place where our people love to go dancing...

CARIOCA DA GEMA...that is also a name for a real and proud resident of Rio!!!

Less teeth more music...hahahaha : )))))) Percussion in the Samba is something that shakes you like an Earthquake, and so much shaking in your body will make you naturally dancing Samba...Get involved with the Samba Atmosphere and come to enjoy the best of Rio.

My night tour takes you to Carioca da Gema and will make you be very familiar with the Culture Territory of Rio de Janeiro.

We can always have a night tour on mondays, fridays and saturdays..the entrance fee of Carioca da Gema varies between 25 reais and 30 reais. This fee and also any meal are NOT included in the tour. But for sure you will see the best places to come!

In 1602 the portuguese started to build a way to bring water to the town...and in 1723 they finally ended the construction which today is one of Rio's famous landmarks and site of the most vibrant night life of Rio for ages!!!!

A simple stroll in the neighborhood will make your night and of course we can stop in many different places in the street for delicious food. Lapa is magic...Lapa is one of the places where you will understand that what matters in life is being yourself and have fun!!!

The urban art is heavily present in Lapa. And Lapa is the center of SAMBA in Brazil...so when you come to Rio, think about visiting this music sanctuary.

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A DIFFERENT NIGHT IN RIO DE JANEIRO WITH INDIANA FRIENDS

If you want to understand more about the culture in Rio de Janeiro you will have to go where locals go...the massive population of Rio has a place to go: FEIRA DO NORDESTE or also known as FEIRA DE SÃO CRISTOVÃO.

Well, this is simply one of my favorite places in Rio when we think about NIGHT LIFE!!!

Think about it...a huge place where more than 30.000 people go for fun, for eating excellent food and loosing their souls dancing the hot rhythm of FORRÓ MUSIC!!!!

Well, 24 hours Rafael can also take you there in a NIGHT TOUR!!!! The tour will take you to one of the less known side of Brazil. Wonderful for people watching, you will see what most of visitors never see. Simple life and absolutely rich culture!

We have to start always after 10:00 pm, better if we start at 11:00 pm. We always have to remember that we are LATE SLEEPERS!!!

So if you are not used to go out that late...RAFA STRONGLY RECOMMENDS, to have a cool and pleasant nap in your place (hotel, hostel, guesthouse, whatever...).

We always discuss prices in our emails...but do not worry, very affordable and you can be sure that you will always find incredible eating places with honest prices (never tourist traps!)

Feira do Nordeste has a whole variety of regional food of all North Eastern States of Brazil. It is a place where all migrants go for a wonderful revival of their traditions, costums and music.

Everytime I go there we always have BAIÃO DE DOIS with CARNE DE SOL...just a combination of beans and rice with flavoring elements - and some are more complex. Many versions of the dish add carne de sol, the dried beef typical of northeastern Brazil. Others add pork. And everyone in Brazil thinks that their mother's or grandmother's recipe is the only true recipe for baião-de-dois.

No doubt it is one of my favourite places in Rio, specially because I am a fan of the North-East Region in Brazil. Each State has its grace and beauty. It is a fantastic region in Brazil that very few people have the chance to see. Everytime I go there I make new friends, each time I go there I am more and more proud to be Brazilian.

A HUGE PART OF OUR POPULATION CANNOT BE MISTAKEN ABOUT TOTAL FUN IN FEIRA DO NORDESTE...AND I JUST FOLLOW THE FLOW WITH MY GUESTS.

My very dear friends Tim and Gill from Indiana could experience the real taste of Rio, talking with people, experiencing new flavors and watching people in total happiness!!!

That Market is open from FRIDAY TO SUNDAY all year round as you can see on youtube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko2g7PrAprw&feature=related

Hope to have more people from this LOVELY AND FULL OF TRADITION STATE OF INDIANA where they also have something simular that all my american friends should never miss. In Indiana the HOOSIERS have the Indiana State Fair Midway which gives us 17 days of total blast in August - see more at http://www.in.gov/statefair/fair/index.html and also see this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5D1ywQ_rCM. So lots of fun all year round when you come to Feira de São Cristovão and heaps of fun if you go to Indiana in August. One day I will go there and give a tight hug in my Hoosier Friends!!!

Thank you Tim and Gill for giving me the honor to show you the best of my land!

Rafa

Tour Guide and Travel Planner