Arpoador, the happening

So, Monday I got back into town. Tuesday I went to Arpoador and believe me, the place is hopping.

Not only were they filming a commercial for TIM with the Blue Man Group,  but a couple was taking their wedding pictures and a model was running thru the blue waters, a flowing bright green dress, long blond hair. Too bad I only thought of taking a picture of her toooo late. But here is the dress drying the sun, while she went off with a yellow on.

What else can one ask for on a beautiful afternoon

Nova Capela

Nova Capela is a traditional hang-out for artists and bohemians
It is in operation since 1923 though it used to be at the Largo da Lapa.
Today is is at the center of a very revitalized Lapa, nightspot par excellence.
The specialty of the house is roasted kid with broccoli rice, truly delicious, melts in your mouth.
Av. Mem de Sá, 96 2232-1907

You can find many examples of old Portuguese architcture in Lapa, beautiful old houses fortunately now being restored to accommodate, probably, yet another hot night spot. Right next to A Nova Capela there are these two:

Mirante da Paz

Well, who would have guessed that a great lookout tower would be constructed right in Ipanema.
Of course, I am a bit late with this information, after all, it was inaugurated in July of 2010, but I am sure that a lot of you don´t know anything about it yet.

The tower serves not only as a lookout (more about the views later) but also as an entrance to the subway (Estação General Osório), and as an access to the Comunidade do Pavão-Pavãozinho/Cantagalo, a pacified community. The whole is called Complexo Rubem Braga and is situated at the corner of Rua Barão da Torre and Rua Teixeira de Melo.

Taking the elevator to the top of the first tower you will find the Mirante da Paz, you go up some steps and will see a lovely view over the islands in front of Ipanema (Ilhas Cagarras), the Lagoa on the other side and a close view of the favela. There are also some nice paintings

And, if you are into a game called geocaching, here you will find something.

Mercado CADEG

This is just as much fun as it was when I first posted it, and the food at BARSA is just as delicious.
2-2015

The Mercado CADEG is the big distribution center for vegetables and flowers for the state of Rio. Early in the morning, around 2 am, trucks start arriving filled to the top with produce and flowers in a riot of color and confusion. The picture on the top is how the flowers are sold in the feira, the local markets, at at least, three times the price as in CADEG.



If you actually go at that ungodly hour make sure to be careful, these people are working and they are rushed. The market is open until 5pm so I would suggest a later visit.
However, then most of the flower and produce stalls will be already closed.

Of course there are not only produce and flowers, the huge indoor market has little shops selling anything imaginable, fish, meat, clothes, paperware etc. There are also a few restaurants, we only ate at one: BARSA. We really don't eat very much but what we had was delicious: one of their specialties - Bruschetta was the best I have ever had.

Rua Capitão Felix, 110, Benfica.

Escadaria Selarón

Another find in this beautiful city.

A ESCADARIA SELARÓN........... Selarón is a Chilean artist who has been living in Brazil since 1983. In 1990 he started a project which has since become his life work. It is a staircase which links the neighborhoods of Santa Terese and Lapa, the stairs of the Convent of Santa Teresa. It is comprised of 215 steps and is 125 meters long. Daily he cleans and maintains his work made easier because he lives right next to it.



He started with the bottom steps which he covered in tiles of colors of the Brazilian flag, green, yellow and blue.


He is better known abroad than in Rio and he asks all visitors to send him tiles from their home countries. There are something like 30 countries represented already.

You can see that his favorite color is red, he uses it mainly in his tiles, his clothing and even his bike.

O Carangueijo

Should you be in Copacabana hungering for seafood, this is the place for you.
A pleasant restaurant, with inside and outside dining, and also a take-out station right next to it, it is known for its fresh and tasty seafood.
I confess that we have only visited it once, having only discovered it towards the end of our stay in Rio, but what we had was delicious. And I did not even have my camera with me, I will have to improve this post ASAP.
Should you go, please send your comments and pictures if possible.

The restaurant is located very near the metro station of Cantagalo.

Rua Barata Ribeiro, 771
Copacabana

Hans Stern Lookout

At the end of a beautiful night, do you ever look for a peaceful place, maybe with a view, maybe for a last nightcap? Enough of the noise, excitement, lazy waiters, long waits etc.?
Well, I have the spot for you, that is, as long as the weather is good.

Try the Mirante Hans Stern which is located on the Ave. Niemeyer, quite close to Leblon. It basically consists with a great view and a simple kiosk. Actually, it is not only a great place to relax at night, but really any time of the day as well. And what's more, you can walk there from the beach.

It used to be called Mirante Leblon but was renamed, in 2007, in honor of Hans Stern, the founder of our most famous jewelry store, H. Stern. There is even one of those on 5 th Ave. in NY and the prices are the same. Of course, there is such a little thing as NY taxes to consider. If you go and visit the store headquarters in Ipanema you will be amazed by the service. Be prepared to be offered anything from water to caipirinhas while they tempt you with the wares.

Have fun!!!!!!!!!

A small aside: I have to check until what time the kiosk is open and I don't suggest walking on the Avenida Niemeyer alone at night. Sorry.

Well, it continues to be a great spot and is open until the last customer leaves. 1/27/13