Saturday, September 30, 2006

Geneva Weekend

We were in Geneva over the weekend!

Well, weather is always not very good in this city of watches...perhaps thats why the symbolic "monument" is a fountain on Lake Geneva...haha

Anyway, we did managed to take some photos amidst the rain.

There will be a need to be always back in Geneva...:)




























Saturday, September 09, 2006

Photos from Rio, Buzios and Paraty!!

Finally....managed to copy my ftp program on my memory stick and now we are uploading the photos on the blog! Woohoo....*waits patiently on the 256k connection*

Hehe, we actually took 519 photos up till now.....the below photos show some of the places that we have been. I shall try to explain a little as we go along...



This is the Petrapolis bus station. Reminds me of the JB Larkin Bus Terminal..haha..



There is a Hong Kong Pastry shop here! We were really surprised at this because the Petrapolis is an ancient city tucked away up the mountains off North Inland from Rio. Anyway, the chinese waiter was really helpful and got us on the right bus to town.



The Cathedral. Hmmm, apparently the Royal Family rests in peace here. There is even a space reserved for the surviving grandson and wife. He is 65 this year...





One of the Museums. Cannot remember the name...something like the royal palace..





The Museum Imperial.



An artistic shot by my wife...hehe..





Now we are at the base station of the Corcovado. THE place to be but also THE place not to be when its raining heavily...Damm...we got the latter. Stood at the top of the summit for almost 4hrs and got only 1 good shot and all clouds. Well...some things are not meant to be...





This is the cogtrain up the summit. In fact, I was suprised to know that this train is swiss-made and thus, the sister railway to the one in Interlaken, up Jungfrau. I was there! Next time must bring my wife....or else...suffer the wrath of...



The One and Only.



And ME freezing in flip flops..





What it should have been! Life goes on...



Great! Now we are at Buzios! 4hrs away by coach, east of Rio. Well, we think this place had been almost over-rated. Beaches were wonderful but the only thing worth coming here for. Had a nice grilled fish by the beach and the rest were pretty much touristy. BTW, this photo shows where we were staying - Pousade Conrais E Conhais



Pretty wife! I love you...:)



Waves were amazing!





Hmmm don´t stare at my wife! Hehe



Waves



Hmmm don´t wonder. Its me.







Paraty!! We love this place! This is a photo of where we stayed - Pousade do Forte. This place is highly recommended! Had the most amazing and value for money schooner trip for 5hrs, among the various beaches and islands in the bay of Paraty. Met a couple of interesting people, among them, our new found `godfather` and `godmother`. They were also having their honeymoon, celebrating 50 years of marriage!



Baby on hammock



A typical Portuguese colonial house.



This place is rather unique, with its cobblestones roads, no cars are allowed to enter this UNESCO declared heritage town. A place with a rich history of being an important port and city along the gold trail. Also represents and serves traditional paraty cacao alcohol. More information on www.paraty.com.br



Old house by the pier.



This is taken on the Schooner.



Typical, almost symbolic view of the Paraty town.



Check out the number of people onboard. This was the other boat that went together with us.



One of the beaches that we stopped over for a swim.



Hehe, I think I need to train up for my wedding dinner next year...hahaha





Also taken onboard.



Quite amazing banana desserts we had here. Banana de Terre. Recommended for its starters and desserts. Fish for main course was nice though a little dry for taste.



Interestingly, there is a wide array of pushcart desserts! Pauline´s favourite!! Hehe...heaven for a sweet tooth...I also like it. The night scene here is also unbelivable. So many food stalls..so little stomach space...







Cute and chic souvenir place. If you are looking for handmade, handpainted authentic paraty wooden boats, this is the place to get them. We got a few fridge magnets here. We both loved this shop...hehe, to add, they have a nice inhouse pet catty..







Phew! Thus ends the photoblog tour of our last 8 days after Congress!!

Ok, got to rush to eat my Yakisoba noodles at the open square now!! Until later...ciao!