THE PLEASANT KOALA AND KIWI TOUR IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Never in my career I had people from New Zealand and Australia together!!! Thanks for the Kiwi Craig Family and thanks to Ania, my aus-polish dear friend who came to Brazil with her heart and spirit open to learn more about Brazilian Culture and also to get to know all the secrets of Brazil, starting with Rio of course!!!!

This people found me...my NZ FOLKS at Trip Advisor and Ania...BELIEVE ME...she found me in the street!!!!! I was guiding my sweet californian group and she asked me whether I could give her some ideas about Rio, I gave her my email address and BINGO...she was writing to me and quickly I added her in a very cool and adventurous KIWI EXPEDITION in Brazil!!!! :)

At the very first minute they got along so well that we became a FUN GROUP OF OLD FRIENDS!!! And we shared two days of total adventure in Rio, covering the famous places and also the hidden secret of a surprising city!!!

One of the great highlights of our days was a last stop in a distant fishing village called BARRA DE GUARATIBA...such a small village full of incredible people that welcomed us with warm and open heart. We could talk to the people and they were very interested about the "wierd language" we were speaking...GUESS WHAT??? English!!!

Very seldon people from other countries visit this side of Rio that seems to be a lost very countryside spot of our Coast...But it gives you great views to the Ocean and the wild peninsula of Sepetiba Bay, in the limits of Rio and the city of Itaguai. almost reaching the Green Coast of Angra dos Reis in the way to my darling historical city of Paraty!

My great four heroes in beaches which are not commonly present in travel books but always give to the visitor the real taste of exploring a new foundland just like the Navigators once visited!!! A coast of Rio where Nature is the RULER...Grumari is one of these places, today no sands, the water invaded everything because of the high tide.

Copacabana is awesome and Ipanema is really charming but the wilderness of Grumari is impossible to miss. And this is what I want my guests to experience!

A Brazilian Crocodile meeting a KIWI Crocodile...salt water crocodiles in Recreio Beach, hahahahaha : ) OR MAYBE A SORT OF "BRAZILIAN HAKA" AGAIN!!! Sam is used to explode his belly of soooooo much laughing. Our tour is full of joy, energy and good humour. Rafa is very informal, you should know that!!!

The hidden and private beach of Joá...a great way to see the best of our Coast Line...we always have fun there after driving the green road of Canoas. Happy to be together with shining people like little Sam, Princess Bella and the IRON MAN David and the incredibly smart Ania made my day such a spectacular event!!!!

Ania is from Poland but had chosen Adelaide, a beautiful and progressive city in the south coast of Australia. Very important city for me because in the gold times of the street formula one grand prix, our national hero AYRTON SENNA, got his second WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. We all miss him!!! :)

The tour is also very focused in NATURE and we never miss a visit to the LUNG OF RIO DE JANEIRO....wow lots of philosophy today....A visit to Cascatinha, a head wash in the Paineiras, lots of greens and great opportunities to meet some cool animals of our fauna like so many birds, monkeys and other cute creatures. Tijuca Forest is one of our National Parks in the State of Rio and it is very nice to see that in the middle of the city map there is a huge green portion, and this portion is a wild forest providing great quality to our lives in Brazil!!!

Second day, of course a special visit....NITEROI!!!! What to say about Niteroi???? It is hard for me to express any opinion about my special homeland...Going to Niteroi brings me back so fond memories, showing Niteroi to the World makes me feel proud of a very beautiful and unknown spot of Rio de Janeiro. And Niteroi feeds our FOOD DESIRES!!!!! :) A real gastronomy center in the South East of Brazil. NITEROI HAS A LOVELY AND REGIONAL RESTAURANT A MINEIRA. Judging from our faces you can see a total feeling of happiness after a local and very brazilian meal!!!!

Niteroi holds us surprise like Piratininga Beach, a wonderful corner where we can see the city of Rio way far from this other side of the Atlantic Ocean...and it gives us space to have fun, like helping my brother Sam Torres to get rid of some kiwi lices HAHAHAHAHAHA and give some extra arms to the Goddess Ania Ganesha hahahahaha :)))))))

So I do not need to write that every tour is a STORY OF LIFE for me. The tours not only provide you knowledge and information, the tour gives you a large introduction of our culture together with endless beauty.

Coming to Rio just show you the door of a magnicent HOME called Brazil.

Thank you very much my KIWI FAMILY and thank you very much my AUSSIE COUSIN ANIA....You all made my work and my life very special, you are the proof that my work is one of my wonderful missions in my existance!!!!

BRAZIL WILL BE ALWAYS WITH ALL DOORS OPENED FOR YOU!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide

Travel Planner

Kiwi Friend

Kangaroo Friend

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

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

ISRAEL - BRAZIL AND CHILE - JOY AT SELARON STAIRS

Efrat from Tel Aviv, great company in my tours today with Shai, Meir and my Sri-Australian friend mal...Myself and the famous Selaron...

Well, Selaron everybody know!!! Needless any introdution, but above all Selaron is a good friend of mine and all the time we visit his stairs which is one of the most famous places in Rio de Janeiro, he is always there with his amazing "conversation topics" and "pleasant boastings" (he is an artist so "he can") and great welcome asking anyone where they are from....

THE STAIRS ARE AN EVERLASTING PART OF MY TOUR BECAUSE IT IS A REAL PRIDE FOR RIO. The place seems to be abandoned by official authorities but we, PEOPLE FROM RIO, and guides comitted with taking our guests to real local experiences, are the to help him showing to the World his amazing work!!!

This man alone places loads of tyles in a huge 130 meters stairs in the soul of Santa Tereza and Lapa, birth of bohemian life of Rio throughout the history of the city.

Going to the stairs is always a reason for LOUD GARGALHADAS (giggles)

So you can be sure that I will take you there when you arrive in Rio!!! :)

Rafael Torres Lopes
Tour Guide - Travel Planner
Selaron's Friend

THE SOUTH AFRICAN (AND KIWI) FAMILY - MY WOW TOUR

Once in a while I have great tours with guests from South Africa and I had the honor to welcome simply NINE PEOPLE plus one SUPER GREAT KIWI FRIEND Katya that join our ZA Group that we fondly named her as KIWI.

I am always a great fan of South Africa, since Mandela's time I was interested about the country and all its beauties.d Cape Town has lots of stories about myself...it is natural copy of RIO DE JANEIRO, but we have much more in common...the fascinating mix of our people and the big variety of so many cultures!!!

It is cool to welcome South Africa people because I have always reasons and facts to compare with their cities. Johannesburg very simular to São Paulo. Cape Town and Rio...Pretoria with its gardens reminds me Curitiba, the Wetlands of Santa Lucia with our marshy land of Pantanal and finally Durban that has something of Rio and something of our Nordeste, specially Maceió or Natal.


Our tour was more cultural than "beach tour", they were concerned about experience the "soul of the city" so nothing better than visiting one character that tells alot about the OPEN HEART OF RIO DE JANEIRO THAT WELCOMES PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

One good example is our chilean artist Selaron that changed the history of two very traditional neighborhoods...Santa Tereza with its fantastic portuguese heritage, lots of incredible barroc architecture, lots of great local restaurants and bars; cobbled stones streets; and LAPA...super bohemian district with a lot of Samba Houses like CARIOCA DA GEMA and RIO SCENARIUM....

Santa Tereza and Lapa altogether tells to every visitor a informal history of Rio.

And my south african family organized by my good friend Nitasha, the one who wrote to me requesting a tour with her friends, and thanks to her I got more friends in the RAINBOW country!!!



Another good way to understand about Rio's reality is to witness how we are all reacting against CRIME provinding a lot of social projects and security to our poorest neighborhood. And now it is possible to visit the various Favelas in Rio de Janeiro where we get to know colorful people, we really see how people from many different backgrounds live in Brazil.

THE REAL THING IN RIO IS GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE and this is what I do everytime I take my people to see so many communities...

Favela is too much connected with crime, unfortunately, but you must remember that FAVELA GIVES US THE SAMBA CULTURE, THE FAVELA GIVES US INCREDIBLE FOOTBALL PLAYERS and the views from our Favelas in the Hills are unique!!!!

So either in Santa Marta or Khayelitsha in Cape Town; either in Rocinha or in Soweto near JOBURG we will find wonderful people there.

Right now there is a wonderful project going on in Cape Town, in the so called "townships", and a special one is called YOUTH FOR CHANGE - I am a big fun of this documentary that you can see on YOUTUBE - here is the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkp5Tjr6G-E

Obama, the US PRESIDENT had the chance to visit Khayelitsha when he was a senator running for the ellections that he won and it is very interesting also to see this video! Here is the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_YbLKguDqk&feature=related

Also very recently in March, the same Obama visited one FAVELA of Rio, the distant poor community in the West of the city famous for the movie CITY OF GOD but our present time Cidade de Deus is a good example of WORK AND SOCIAL PROJECTS with good results and crime is loosing space in a place that once was the most dangerous place in Rio de Janeiro, please check the video of Obama's visit in our FAVELA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Euvu1ePUI&feature=related - it is all in portuguese but the images shows how successful and very important this visit mean to us. I am just sorry not to be Obama's Guide in Rio, I would have better ideas for him to visit.

And RAFA will be here to show you the best of Rio to tall my South African Friends and all my good friends all over the World.



Ishshah is my new friend from South Africa that I had pleasure to welcome!!! She has the smile of the magic of Africa and she came to Rio to make the city even more beautiful. And we took this picture thanks to our other Family Members in a very interesting market in Humaitá, near Botafogo, the famous COBAL where we can find excellent food!!! Incredible place to buy food and also to hang out at night, it is one of our night life most famous spots!

Well, NOW YOU KNOW THAT SOUTH AFRICA HAS TO ADD BRAZIL IN THEIR TRAVEL PLANS...OUR BROTHERHOOD IS VERY DEEP AND DIVERSE.

Thank you very much,

Rafael Torres Lopes
Tour Guide and Travel Planner
A friend of Africa

THE FEBRUARY SUPER TOUR - RAFA WILL WELCOME YOU IN HEAD OF STATE STYLE!!!

But not that FORMAL!!! :) I would say, the smile will be the same because when you come to Rio you make me happy, when you simply give me your travel wishes and I make them true, I feel complete and the sensation in the heart when in the end of the tour you tell me you will be again; then I know that I have made the best choice!!!

In February, I will welcome tons of guests...And I am prepared...I will be with you for several days and also my wonderful team of guides, Marcone, Françoise and Suzi; and some other associates of my total trust. The dreamof getting to know Rio is growing and I am working hard to be here and give you all the assistance you need!!!

12 years working to give you Rio a loca,l perspective, no matter if you are just yourself, a couple, 4 people or the whole paraguayan national force!!! I am here to welcome you with big smile and very informal way to make you feel special when you come to Brazil.

The door to Brazil is no doubt RIO DE JANEIRO...And here you can have m yself as your friend and the person who will show you the genuine path of a real traveller. I do with my guests what I do when I travel around the World. More than a traveller I am a travel researcher and very keen on places where we will have a unique experience!!!

I AM NOT THE GUIDE WHO WILL SAY - ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE YOU SEE COPACABANA BEACH, ON YOUR LEFT SIDE YOU WILL SEE THE CHRIST...Everywhere we go you will know alot about local aspects of our society and you will see beautiful spots all around the city!!!

I am an official guide of the Paraguayan Army when they come for the annual military lectures provided by our Goverment; I am also the official guide of the Spanish Navy when they come with the school ship Sebastian del Cano every year, but I can be your private guide as well...All about water in a way as you can see in the pictures above.

12 years of total happiness, many places covered, many friends made and my name all around the World as someone who are not so worried about the Tourism Industry for the simple fact that I am not an industry. I just enjoy to welcome people and give them a great time!!!

I know the culture in the States, in Europe and so many different countries that my guests belong. I know some cultures are very conservative, reserved and formal...but when you meet me...GET YOUR SPIRIT PREPARED!!!!!!!

I will be like someone you know for ages...I will be the person who will die of pleasure to see you here and do not be impressed that if I meet you I will give you a tight hug!!!

Brazilians are informal people in my case, I was born in Rio!!!! And worse!!!! I have spanish blood!!! My decendents came from the FIRE OF HEART LAND called Andaluzia!!! OLÉ!!!!!

And you know...RIO DE JANEIRO - BRAZIL - LATIN AMERICA - Here life is lived in a very pleasant way, despite of all problems a brazilian person will give you a smile!!!

So coming to Rio for your tours...bear in mind that your smile has to be shown. I want to meet the best of you because I will give you the best of me!!!

Working....Do I really work????? :) This is a question that my great friend Dolly from Arizona always ask!!! La Rae, my sweet friend from Spokane shared giant laughs with me!!! Nancy always had fun when we meet!!! On the ground and by the sea we will have a blast, because I have a blast every time I am touring. Trips, tourism and people are my major passion in life!!!

Well, my friends, fun, history information, real facts, real people, adventure, laughs and beautiful images are guaranteed everytime you make use of my tours. you will have a tour guide to provide you a very pleasant experience when you dock or land in Rio.

Not only me, but my best friends who greatly happen to be TOUR GUIDES as well, will be here in February and of course all year round to welcome you with great enthusiasm.

I might be busy for some days but be sure that once you are with my people you really have the same experience and the same quality of my tours!!!

RAFA IS HERE FOR YOU ALL THE TIME!!!!

Thank you sooooo very much for everything!!!! I am blessed because my work gave me wonderful friends all over the World, and you will be the next one!!!!

YOURS FAITHFULLY,

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide - Travel Planner - A friend in Rio

INTRODUCING MY DRIVER - THE SMILEY ALEXANDRE - MORE THAN A DRIVER - A GREAT FRIEND

All this work is not possible without the help of so many great friends. I am here to make everything simple and easier for you in Brazil, mainly in Rio de Janeiro. So I need great people around me and I am very lucky to have wonderful drivers and brilliant tour guides. Now I noticed that I cannot work alone. And I think you should know all the people who work with me and provide you such a quality tour and great trip when you choose my services!!!

ALEXANDRE, since I met him, always have been absolutely incredible professional. He helped me in a time that I was really in trouble. My car was hitted by a crazy and nasty drunk driver (I have drunk people who put other's people life in danger) and suddenly I was without my working tool...my own car!!!!

One contact I had gave me Alexandre's number, I called him and explained my situation. He promptly said: I AM WITH YOU!!! And he was my driver for months, while my car was in the garage, I used his services a lot, and you know, I am very grateful to my people, now I ellected Alexandre to be the person to pick up my guests when they come to Rio and he is also the one I recommend for every kind of transportation work when my guests need it.

We also drove all over the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais touring with an english couple Edwina and David from Brighton for two weeks, and he was perfect...We took this picture above in the amazing historical town of São João del Rey.

That is his car, one new CHEVROLET SAFIRA, this model was designed for the brazilian market, it is very spacious, great for 4 to 6 people (too much luggage I use two cars), air conditioned and comfortable!!! This Alexandre's car.

I highly recommend him to be at the airport waiting for you. He will always have a sign with your name, but in advance I always send the link of a little video that I made close to where I live, and I want you to see - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgjyr_bnTBk

Yes, this driver is famous!!! :)))))))

He is always welcome to share the same table with us, he is so shy that he always says no, but we can convince him easily!!! He is such a striver...His work helps him to keep his house with his wife Patricia, another good friend of mine. And he also gives his Mother all the assistance she needs!!! HE IS A FAMILY GUY always with a big smile in the face!!! This photo was taken in Santa Tereza during my texan friend Brooke's visit.

Yes...memorize all the pictures. He will be the person who will welcome you in your first steps in Rio. He has all my confidence and enormous admiration. Alexandre is my personal friend and his work excellency makes a difference.

He does not speak english, he know how to communicate quite well, and he will always have a cell phone to talk directly with me. So language will not be a problem!!!

I am very grateful to count with Alexandre's service, he is a fantastic driver and an amazing friend!!! So when I send Alexandre to you, you can be self assured that you will be in very good hands.

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

WONDERFUL FRIENDS FROM HOUSTON

That is true...Again, Texas in my life!!! It seems that I am getting famous there...and thanks God I have more friends from this giant and diverse State of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!

YES....Texas, and it sent one MAGNIFICENT COUPLE, Brooke and Nathan...She came with big expectations about this new land called Rio de Janeiro, she was ready for vacations!!! He came for business and he was very upset because he would never have time to see Rio properly...

But we change his mind, and Nathan joined us in the second day and we had a blast!!!!

When there is love, everything turns to be way better than everything!!! :) So for me it was easy to please my friends...But Rio does it alone and very well...The beauty of Rio is the same of Love's Beauty...So it is easy to understand the positive vibe of the city...it is easy to know that Rio is a delicious place to rest and see new things!!!

RIO IS HAPPINESS and we all know about that!!!!

How can you make a city boy into a Tarzan...I think we made it!!! :))))))) The contact with nature in Rio is obvious and we all get involved!!!

Specially myself...I always say that I am a mix of Jacques Cousteau and Charles Darwin!!!

My tours are also a trip to our past and our traditions...so sitting in the old streets of Centro with great things just to nibble some brazilian SALGADOS and having the most delicious beer in the country (BOHEMIA) is something people do for ages!!!! And this is what my guests will have to experience in every moment they are strolling around the city!

This is part of our walking tour in the soul of Rio, in places where Rio started, in the narrow streets of Arco dos Telles.

The city has to be appreciated from the top...and on the top of Dona Marta Hill we had a blast...This is where great pictures can be taken with the majestic Sugar Loaf in the background! Mirante Dona Marta is the plan B when Christ is covered by the clouds!

The famous angel pictures!!!! :) Ohhhhhhhh this time Brooke had a blast in Rio, she shown the World her true faces!!! hahahahaha :) We were at the old church of Candelaria, great sample of our spanish and portuguese barroc.

Always wonderful to know where Rio de Janeiro started...Our very impressive Monastery São Bento...where the great boom of gold in Brazil, and many incredible churches were built in that time..and I am talking about 1576!!!!

Tradition and religion are still kept and I proudly show my guests some secrets that very few visitors know!!!

My friends, great friends, Brooke and Nathan are always welcome in a city that will be forever their homes outside Texas!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH,

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!!!