MAGNOLIA'S WORLD: CIDADE MARAVILHOSA... Rio de Janeiro

Sunday, March 23, 2008

CIDADE MARAVILHOSA... Rio de Janeiro

Back at the «one and only» city of Rio.
As most say, Rio could be the perfect city to end up your days.
What I most admire on the brazilian way of living is by far the perfect positive atittude towards life.
I cannot imagine any other culture that so happily accept the great bounderies of every day life, where beauty is so subjective , where life is good and bad at the same time, where the sea breeze contrasts with the heat of the closed favelas.

They can always have a smile despite and see what good can come from probation moments and this always reminds me the books from little POLLYANNA , where she shows youngsters to always see the good side of things.

They certainly live life intensively with samba, sun, beach, family and friends.

While in Rio, we took a day to revisite the magnificent Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro which was founded on June 13, 1808 by Dom João VI, who then was prince regent of the United Kingdom if Brazil and Portugal.It is one of the great tropical botanical gardens of the world.

Here an image of the orchidary featuring over 200 different qualities of Orchieds from all over the world.

This is a rare flower called «Bastão do Imperador» and this is the picture of the last one flowering this season.

The weather is fantastic all year round and it is a very easy going place, but if shorts and hawainanas were the perfect outfit, not anymore after entrepreneur and symbol of brasilian sophistication Rogério Fasano invited Philippe Starck to create this sea front wonder - Hotel Fasano in Avenida Vieira Souto - Ipanema.
This quickly became the place to be. Inside a great seafood restaurant called:

FASANO AO MARE (3202-4000)yet another on the list of Brazil's best restaurants.

Another certain choice is the well known:

GERO (2239-8158) owened also by Rogério Fasano and again set in the heart of Ipanema , it is a great place to be seen. The italian ispiration cuisine is well recommended.

ZUKA (3205-7154) is still my favorite place in Rio. Set in the trendy Leblon in the busy street of Dias Ferreira. This restaurant chef Ludmilla Soeiro , has certainly set a new aproach to modern cooking by using a rustic process of grill in charcoal to creat her sophisticated meals.
It has a perfect combination of location, atmosphere and food - my favorite is the Tuna steak with tagliatelle of palm and a sauce of milk of strong root.

UNFORGETTABLE PLACES TO STAY

LA MAISON with only 5 exclusive suites has stunning views of Corcovado Mountain as it towers above the whole town of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the perfect place for those who are seeking exclusiveness and exoticism.

LA SUITE Hotel only 7 rooms that can leave guests speechless with the spectacular 180° view of the shimmering turquoise waters of the Atlantic.

Go to www.kiwicollection.com

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Me

I Love ... The blue shades of the sky and the sea, the fire and earth shades of Marrakesh,the smell of my garden in Arouca, figs and fig trees. I love Meryl Streep, Cafe Majestic , my husband's sense of humour, travelling ,Jo Malone scents,candles, my routes, Manolo Blanick shoes, Chloé , Celine, Fendi .I love going out with friends , Rio de Janeiro, Nina Simone and Vinicius , the respect for each other , the Taj Mahal , my La Mer , having my bag always ready, the strengh of my mother, to put my make-up in the car, always have a pashemina in my bag, the union of my family, cooking, brunches and singing with my daughter Bia, Christmas spirit, the trip of my life to India , Nepal and Tibete, the restaurant Yacout in Marrakesh, the buzz of NYC , Helmut Newton, earing my grand father stories.I love people that know what they want, the Dean&Deluca in Soho NY , I cry when I see the English Pacient and Pay It Forward,I would love to give up my mobile, I love hugging old people, I love living , sushi, I loved when I was pregnant , I would love to adopt a child from a needed country and I would love to have a Andy Warhol. I don't like ,judging , conflict ,betrayal ,stupid people , trafic jams and all other cues and I certainly don't like mondays

MY FAVORITES

Abahna - A daily bathing ceremony is one of life’s simplest luxuries. It is a chance to prepare yourself for the day ahead or reflect on the day just gone.
Finger in The Nose - a lot of authenticity and a touch of rock and roll attitude. This collection of jeans and sportwear for children sucessfully unites the look of an adult with a need for a child's confort.
MASON PEARSON is the worlds best hair brush . Founded in England in the mid 1860's . The brushes were made by hand. Mason Pearson invented the "pneumatic" rubber-cushion hairbrush. It took until 1905 to improve his technique, much of which was still required to be done by hand.
Valrhona Chocolate was created in 1924 and since have been creating exceptional chocolates with respect to natural aromas of the various cocoa origins. This chocolate is particularly desired and recognized by professionals and gourmets.
Voss Water - Voss artesian water from Norway comes from an aquifer in the untouched nature of Southern Norway, protected by pollutants by layers of rock, sand and ice producing pure water, bottled at one of the purest sources yet found in the planet.

MY CITIES NEWS

Munich Airport - napcabs are an innovative solution for waiting passengers at the airport. They are designed to provide a private hideaway from aiport madness, and allow travelers to relax and re-energize.
Barcelona Hotel 1898 - just found this lovely hotel. Hotel 1898, located smack in the Rambla of Barcelona, in the old building of the Compañía de Tabacos de Filipinas, has services of the highest standards intended to offer guests the quality and comfort best adapted to their needs. It has three different types of suites and four categories of rooms, all sound-proofed with top quality finishing, and equipped with high technology. Moreover, Hotel 1898 offers seven period function rooms, five meeting rooms, a business centre and two libraries that fully adapt to the needs of all its guests. To keep in shape and relax, clients may avail of a gym, an outdoor swimming pool with solarium, an advanced spa system and a covered swimming pool.
London - it is one of my favorite cities in the world and despite the weather, you can always have a fantastic time in London. My favorite hotel is The Hempel and peace, tranquility, unique and individual are all words used to describe this hotel created by Anouska Hempel, not to mention the wonderful fusion restaurant I-Thai.
Munich - LENBACH PALAIS - Conceived by Sir Terence Conrad and themed after the seven sins - ENVY - GREED - LUST - SLOTH - WRATH - VANITY - GLUTTONY, has quicky became a landmark on Munich's night scene and more than just a restaurant , is a place to be, with a busy calendar of music events.
Amsterdam - I have just been in a nice quite small restaurante called BLOEM GRACHT located in the canal with same name nr.47. My favorite hotel is HOTEL ROEMER with only about 10 bedrooms is located in the heart of Amsterdam in a beautiful manor house. They have great brasilian staff so you can speak portuguese and feel completely at home.