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

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

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT COBAL?????

If you like local markets...maybe this is a cool suggestion...right located in a very populated district of Rio, Botafogo in our way to my tours in the Favela Santa Marta!!!

Fresh fruits, gorgeous flowers, very smart bars where to locals go to meet with their friends and simply have a good time!!!

COBAL HUMAITÁ is one of the street markets of Rio where food is absolutely awesome!!!

My South African friends, Fazlyn, Nitasha and Cindy was there with me...

I miss you badly girls...we should repeat this adventure!!! Because more and more I want Rio de Janeiro to be your home as I have South Africa very deep in my heart, much deeper now that I got to know you!!!

Come for another GIGGLE TOUR!!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide - Travel Planner

A friend to South Africa!!!!

BAFANA BAFANA!!!! I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT BECAUSE OF THE WONDERFUL PARTY SOUTH AFRICA PROVIDED US IN THE WORLD CUP!!!

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

INDIA AND BRAZIL - YOU WILL BE SURPRISED

Brazilians are always fascinated about India and we are very curious about Indian People...in the big cities like São Paulo, Rio, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and some other big cities in the North East of Brazil such as Recife and São Luis, YOGA is very popular. In Rio, Shantalla is a fever, many mothers go to YOGA CENTERS to get their babies deeply relaxed with this incredible indian massage. The costuns, the indian landscape and the deep conexion with Goa, also so many vegetable species that we have in common with India like the Mangoes, the Jack Fruit and the incredibly shady almond trees...

In 2009 in the World of Soap Operas which Brazil is the leading capital we decided to show INDIA to all Brazilian, in noble time in our TV...TV GLOBO started with the absolutely luxurious CAMINHO DAS INDIAS production and we invited as a co-work the huge giant movie makers BOLLYWOOD!!!!

Go to youtube and see the opening of the NOVELA, this is what we saw everyday between august and november 2009 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0k5UGDCQuk&feature=fvsr

And also this indian scened performed by brazilian artists - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxo0tS3VrzM - that is the moment when the Dadi of Raj tells the family that his son died and the widow Maya got desperated.

LOTS OF INDIAN DANCE IN BRAZILIAN VERSION - SOOOOO FUNNY - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcCwYIsb3MM&feature=related WHAT THIS VIDEO ENTERILY!!!

We decided to send our actors and actresses to India where they spent months learning the culture, the language, the habits and dress code. It was a great fun time for Brazilians in India, until then a very difficult destination for us, but since the Soap Opera started, India became a very common destination for Brazilians.

Hindi words like the romantic and full of desire sentences like MEN TUNSYE BAHUT PYAR KARTA HUN which means I love you so much (in very intimacy moment); we also learnt that there different kind of love in the Indian culture like the PYAR which is a love full of desire and PREM which is a divine love, something beyond description, a sort of love that you do not care about being loved, you just love!!! :)

Or if you want to put an end in any topic you are discussing...just say SHIVA SHIVA SHIVA or DURGA DURGA DURGA which is evoking a God as powerful as Shiva...

Even funnier is listening from every one in the streets of Brazil words like DJA DJA (which means go go go) or more impressive when a single brazilian says out loud AREBABA!!! (more or less like MY GOD!!!). Also we know that in a more repsectful way there are brazilians that says ARABAGUANDI...Also it was very common to say in Rio TIKE HE...which means ALRIGHT!!!

Also some angry words like saying GANDU to one person, for sure an indian person will be very offended, but it means calling someone as very stupid. Or KUTTA which means DOG, calling someone as KUTTA is not a good idea.

In My Tours I am PRIVILEGED to welcome so many people from India...indian people living in the UK, indian people living in the USA, indian people living in Australia, indian people living in South Africa...I think that the indian community do like me; maybe because they know that I also admire their culture, maybe they know that I am very curious about India and somehow I understand their culture and habits so I make their stay in Rio de Janeiro and in the rest of Brazil very easy and comfortable for them!!!

If you read my old postings you will see that I had great experiences with my indian friends!!! :) I am just not so used with the spicy food, but I love some soft flavors...

Anyway...

My interest for India is something that follows my whole life...I am sure I will go there one day and I will report in this blog my INDIAN ADVENTURES!!! I am a great fan of their culture, I am a great fan of their geography, I would love to learn more about the forests of Kashimir, the coast of Kerala, the joy and excitiment of Goa with their very similar costuns that Brazil and Goa share...the misteries of Jaipur...the majestic HIMALAIA RANGE; one of my dreams is spotting the lions in Gir region. India for me means FASCINATION. It is for sure one of the countries in Asia that I am mad about visiting....

I am so crazy to visit India that I even would love to understand the so complicated rules of CRICKET which I know it is like football here in Brazil.

NAMASTE to all my Indian Friends and NAMASTE to all Indian Readers which I deeply thank you for your attention!!!

Send me wonderful indian families, I am always here ready to show you the best of Rio and the best of my country to you!!!

DHANYABAD or simply CHUKRIA for all your interest, curiosity and friendship!!!

With all my love,

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A friend in Rio

MY ENGLISH FRIENDS WITH INDIAN TASTE

This is the privilege of making friends almost everyday, and I make REAL good friends!!! And Fecebook helps to keep in touch....YUPIEEEEE VIVA FACEBOOK!!! :) Shohil contacted me first telling that we would come with his wife Arti and another friendly couple Minesh and Varsha!!! ABSOLUTELY VERY SWEET PEOPLE!!! I think it took less than two seconds for us to be GREAT FRIENDS forever!!! We had a blast in Rio and in Niteroi. We focused our tour on many social profiles in Rio, we decided to learn how CARIOCA PEOPLE LIVE!!! These two couples live in London, city where I always have wonderful friends, and they are more friends from this incredible and special country called England. England that now welcomes all people from all over the World. India plays a important part in England's live offering very efficient professional in all areas and also increasing the english gastronomy with their exquisite and hot food. I always welcome indian families in my tours...coming straight from India, from England, Canada and USA and I am proud to hear that the wuality of my work are reaching those families and I WANT MORE!!! IN THE FUTURE I WILL HAVE BETTER STRUCTURE TO WELCOME INCLUDING THE MOST TRADITIONAL FAMILIES WHERE THEY WILL FIND IN BRAZIL THE FOOD THEY EAT SPECIALLY MADE FOR THEM!!! I just apologyze for not speaking not even one of the more than 400 languages and dialets from this country which I think it is one of the most fascinating countries in the World!!! I wish I could speak Hindi, Urdu, Concani, Kanara, Meithei, Marata, Nepali, Dogri or Kokborok... BUT THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART IS UNIVERSAL AND THESE WONDEFUL FOUR FRIENDS LIVE IN MINE!!! A VISIT TO LAPA DURING THE DAY GIVES US A CHANCE TO FOLLOW THE BEAUTIFUL WORK OF STREET ARTISTS THAT WE DO NOT EVEN KNOW THEIR NAMES, BUT WITH THEIR ART THEY EXPLAIN THE CULTURE OF BRAZIL AND THE MAGIC OF SAMBA!!! LIKE THIS MURAL IN ORDER TO MAKE A TRIBUTE TO OUR FAMOUS SAMBA COMPOSER BEZERRA DA SILVA. LAPA IS MUSICAL, LAPA IS PLACE WHERE YOU CAN REALLY EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF OUR LOCAL VIBE. IT IS JUST ONE STREET NAMED JOAQUIM DA SILVA, BUT SOMETIMES IT MEANS A WORLD TO US!

VISITING THE QUIET FISHING VILLAGE OF JURUJUBA IS NOT EXACTLY A TOURIST ATTRACTION, BUT IT IS A GREAT CHANCE FOR YOU TO SEE A COLORFUL NEIGHBORHOOD OF RIO THAT NO TOURISTS GO. AND YOU KNOW ME WELL, I AM NOT SOOOO WORRIED ABOUT "TOURIST ATTRACTIONS" I SHOW YOU INTERESTING PLACES IN RIO THAT WILL MAKE YOUR TRIP THE MOST SPECIAL EVER!!!

SOME SEEDS ARE WONDERFUL TO EAT AND THIS ONE I FELL IN LOVE. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS A DELICIOUS INDIAN WONDER BUT I CAN JUST TELL YOU THAT SESAME IS ABSOLUTELY TASTY!!!

THIS WAS OUR ITINERARY:

We stopped by Flamengo's Park to have a privileged view of the Sugar Loaf and Guanabara Bay. Then we drove to Centro to go to Santa Tereza, we strolled around the cobbled stones streets and watched the impressive portuguese colonial architecture and we saw a lot of local life in the neighborhood with an interesting stop at Selaron Stairs. Before reaching the bridge, we stopped in a very old Monastery, São Bento Church and visited the first barroc church in Rio de Janeiro built in 1590. We crossed the bridge of Niteroi and stopped by the Modern Art Museum, impressive modern construction by the famous brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, from there we could see maervelous views of the Bay Coast such as all over Icarai Beach, the island of Boa Viagem and the mountains of Rio altogether. Our next stop was lunch in a local brazilian barbecue restaurant Verdana...What a wonderful stomacal experience there!!! We went to the viewpoint of Parque da Cidade, famous city's paraglyding plataform. The Hill we went is called VIRAÇÃO. Our last stop before going to the Christ was the fishing village of Jurujuba. We took photos of the charming simple way of life in the community. We tried to save a cat which was quite ill and after finding a place where we tried the AÇAI CREAM.

After a quick and wild drive coming back we reached the Christ where they could see all over Rio in the day and in the night.

Thanks folks for your good spirit, thanks for your accurate sense of adventure, thanks alot for your smile and thanks for being part of my work, once you did that you are all part of my life now.

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A Friend in Rio

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

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

WHEN I SAY ABOUT TUCANS IN RIO I MEANT IT!!!!

I am sooooooooo happy that I could take more and more pictures of one of my favorite birds in Brazil and also all over Americas. In this case Central and South America where we can find toucans in the wilderness. I am a big fan of this bird though sometimes they have the bad habit of eating other birds eggs...but they are cool when they eat some little cocunuts from the various palm trees all around Brazil!!!

I am glad to share with you these pictures and let you know that I am a BIRDS FREAK! :)

I always tell to my guests that there are toucans in Rio, they are present in our Ocean Forests but not always we see them so closerly, but now it is time to see some cocunuts in our palms, and they are crazy for this little fruits which has an accurate taste that the toucans love so much.

Again, I finally have the proof I need to make you know that...YES IT IS POSSIBLE TO SPOT THEM.

I am always practicing one of my hobbies even when I am touring with my guests, I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY. This morning I was with the lovely company of my group from Malta!

I was strolling around the Botanical Gardens, one of the most amazing jewels of Rio de Janeiro when finally we all saw a family of Toucans...with no shadow (or shade???) of doubts one of the most fascinating birds we have in South America.

And Rio is blessed by the presence of such a magnificent bird.

The Botanical Garden is also part of my tours, this is where my people can walk around an relax...this also a place where I always feel the positive and green energy of Rio!!! :)

OUR GARDENS, or JARDIM BOTANICO DO RIO DE JANEIRO as we say, has 200 years. it is one of the oldest and most complete gardens in the World.

DO NOT MISS ANY CHANCE TO VISIT THIS SPECTACULAR PLACE!!!! :)

Certainly, I will be really content to take you there,

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner