Airlines promotion.

One called and asked if I would
do a column on the city as they’re
only allowed seven days and don’t
want to miss anything.

I suggested they try to extend
their stay, but to do so they must
pay their own airfare home. It still
may be a good idea because a trip
to South America is quite an expe-
rience.

If so, I’d heartily recommend
booking a cruise cither south
towards Cape Horn and the
Falkland Islands or up the
Amazon River io Manaus.

There are several lines now
operating in these areas, but the
oldest and most experienced is
Costa Lines — they pioneered
these cruises. The itineraries vary
during the season so check with a
travel agent.

A couple of words of caution:
Don’t expect the same standards
that you would find on a cruise
catering to North Americans.

Costa doesn’t encourage North
Americans to book, although it
can be done.

I'd be tempted to take a chance
on booking after 1 arrived in Rio,
simply because you’re apt to get a
far cheaper fare. If it doesn’t work
out you can always come home as
scheduled!

Rio. If I were to choose the most
beautiful city in the world — out-
side of Vancouver — this is it.

A visitor simply must see the city
from the harbor and there are lots
of short excursions available.

You can usually book these at
your hotel. Another word of cau-
tion — if the boat looks overload-
ed, get off.

Two other tours are musts — up
Corcovado to the statue of Christ
the Redeemer, cither by bus or

1 train and a trip to the top
of Sugarloaf Mountain by cable
car.

The Corcovado tour stops at the
bottom of the statue and there is a
flight of steps leading up to it.
Quite a climb — my eight year old
did it, but I chickened out.

I’ve never done the cable car —
not because 1 didn’t want to, but
on four visits to Rio I’ve managed
to be there when it was ‘“‘out of
service.”’

Rio is synonymous with two of
the most famous beaches in the
world — Ipanema and

You'll want to, at least, take a
walk there, if not swim. I found
them far too crowdea for my taste,
and 1 surely wouldn’t leave
anything, even a towel or sandals
unguarded for a minute. Both
beaches are notorious for thieves.

Shopping in Rio is an experi-
ence. The best buys are leather
goods, especially shoes and hand-
bags and jewelry.

My favorite jewelry shop is H.
Stern for the most incredible selec-
tion of beautifully set gems.

You'll find that the prices, while
still high, are much cheaper than in
Canada. The price of goid is the
same world-wide but the cost of
labor is much cheaper.

The fashion centre of Rio is
mainly one street — Rua Visconde
de Piraja. Bring plenty of money!

However, you can Icok upon the
purchase of a leather bag as an
‘investment’? — the workmanship
is marvellous. One I bought lasted
10 years and never went out of

te.
he other ‘‘don’t miss’ shopp-
ing area is often referred to as the
“Hippie Market”’ or Feirarte —
it’s where hundreds of local ar-
tisans congregate every Sunday
from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. selling

every kind of art and craft. Prices
vary but there are lots of bargains
and stuff you'll never find
elsewhere.

I loved the hand-hooked rugs
and brought home several wood
carvings. You'll notice one carving
repeated everywhere — a forearm
and clenched fist. It’s a symbol

travel
wise
Barbara McCreadie

said to fight bad luck — I’ve got a
big one, but it hasn’t seemed to
help much around here.

Brazil has wonderful food. Like
most South American countries,
the open pit barbecue is a standby.

Look for restaurants called
Churrascurias and dig in. They
have such a selection of beef,
pork, lamb, sausages and variety
meats, often carved right at your
table.

The other specialty you mustn’t
miss is Feijoada, a black bean and
meat stew. Don’t ask what’s in it
but it’s mostiy pork.

Feijoada is usually served with
dry farina on the side and always
with rice.

Rio’s shellfish and melons are

29 - Sunday, January 29, 1989 - North Shore News

TRAVEL Ee
Exciting Rio has
plenty to offer

VE BEEN told that a number of North Shore residents
have won trips to Rio de Janeiro on the CFUN-Canadian

outstanding.

Tap water isn’t. Don’t drink it,
brush your teeth »zith it or eat any
raw vegetables that have been
washed with it.

That's one reason to stick to
melons and give up fruit juice for
the duration — it may be
reconstituted with water from a
tap. I avoid custards, anything
with cream or milk and anything
undercooked or tepid. In short,
Mexican rules prevail.

Now, a few safety tips:
® The sun can be murder — I have
rarely had such a burn in my life as
I had on my first visit. Wear a hat
and use sunscreen when you’re
sightseeing or shopping. Drink
plenty of bottled water or you may
evaporate.
© Carry your money in either a
money beit or a concealed pouch.
Always have a bit handy to give to
your friendly neighborhood mug-
ger. Rio isn’t a safe city.
eIf you must go out after dark,
use cabs. This is no place to go for
a midnight stroll.
¢ Don't bring anything with you
that you can’t afford to lose and
don’t leave anything valuable in
your hotel room. Delay any jewel-
ry shopping until your day of
departure or lock purchases in the
hotel safe.
© Buy a door alarm and use it.
© Stick to your tour group and
don’t wander. Getting left behind
is no joke.

And, don’t miss a Samba show,
either at a nightclub or combined
with a dinner at a Churrascurias.
The dancers in their huge platform
soles are unique.

Ask around for recommenda-
tions and don’t buy a tour unless it
falls into your price range — I
found them overpriced and the
food was marginal. And take a cab
— even if it’s only a couple of
blocks.-

Speaking of cabs, don’t have
heart failure when they run red
lights. No car stops at night on a
red — that’s where the muggers
wait to hop aboard.

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