Santa Teresa
One of the many reasons that Rio is never boring - the wide variety of neighbourhoods to explore. In
Leblon, where we live, everything is quite modern. Santa Teresa, just a few short miles away, feels almost as though it's still in a different century. In a good way.
On Saturday we rode the Bonde up to Santa Teresa with some of my husband's colleagues. The Bonde ride is an experience in itself and I really feel it is a must - see for everyone who comes to Rio. It is an experience that allows you to see so much of the city and its people, homes, etc. Also a really cheap (R$1) roller coaster.
The bonde is smaller than I expected - just one little street car, which runs on the same road as the cars. And that road is windy. And very steep. Which means that the bonde comes to a sudden halt frequently along the journey. Oh, and you can just hang off the sides of the bonde... and did I mention it also goes right over the aqueduct, pretty much unprotected? We all agreed that pretty much everything about the ride would just not fly back home... but that's the best part!
Apparently there is a movement to privatize the bonde... and Santa Teresa's citizens are not impressed. We grabbed a quick shot of a demonstration - small and peaceful, from what we could gather - against privatizing the Bonde while we were out and about.
We stopped for an amazing lunch at Aprazivel, which comes highly recommended by Mr. DRL's coworkers, and now I see why!
In fact I will add it to my top 10 best restaurants in Rio list just as soon as I get around to it (I need to add about 30 restaurants to my different Rio restaurant categories... oops.)
The food was fantastic - a fusion of traditional Brazilian dishes and contemporary - but the views and atmosphere are even better.
It's quite a hike up to the restaurant, I would recommend making a reservation to avoid disappointment (see link above). And there are cute tables in tree houses - request one of those!
The staff is funny too.
GO!
Next time I am in Santa Teresa (which will probably be soon as I have more visitors coming and I think everyone NEEDS to go there) I plan to check out the Asian restaurant. Also I would like to see some of the art in Santa Teresa that everyone raves about.
Thak you for the Beautiful Article about Rio De Janeiro! Must th time people only talk about the Bad things and ever say anythingabout this Great City!!!
Posted by: Frank | June 28, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Glad you enjoyed it Frank! There is a lot to love about Rio.
Posted by: DRL | June 29, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Thanks for the tip on Aprazivel, heard of it but never went and sort of forgot about it. I'm interested in that list of best restaurants you mentioned :-)
Posted by: Pat | July 03, 2008 at 12:10 PM
I've had Santa Teresa recommended and not recommended. I dig bohemian places so I think next time I'm down south (hopefully in a few months), I'll have to stay there. I'm wondering if the bonde is any different looking from the one in Laranjeiras that takes you up Corcovado
Posted by: Adam | July 03, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Adam - not sure if it is different, sorry... was at Corcovado yesterday but not in a bonde...
Posted by: DRL | July 04, 2008 at 01:33 AM
Pat - GO! It is awesome. "Brazilian fusion" - delicious and a wonderful atmosphere!
Posted by: DRL | July 04, 2008 at 01:34 AM