After five days in Paraty, I made it back to Rio, again on the bus. The window was wavy, and I took these first two pix on purpose. Others are from the top of the hotel, this one in the downtown area, near Lapa, in an attempt to explore a different part of Rio. An evening stroll took in more of the neighborhood…

Continuing that evening stroll, even into a somewhat sketchy part of town, and perhaps wishing I’d picked the hipper seeming Socio\tel (Lapa)…?

Next day, embarked on a walk around, starting with the Columbo, one of the top 10 most beautiful cafes in the world, built in 1894. Then, into one of the top 10 most beautiful churches in Rio…

Next, in the rather unimposting Imperial Palace which had an exhibit of a prolific albeit rather unimposing Brazilian artist…

Next and next door, was the Praça Tiradentes, the old parliament building and now kind of a museum. Took a tour and learned about it and some of the history of Brazil. (Yes, it was the last country to abolish slavery in 1888.):

The Praça Tiradentes also had an exhibit about the famous Maracaña stadium in Rio which is celebrating its 75th anniversary – and hosted not just many soccer/football games and some of the 2016 Summer Olympics, but concerts featuring some folks you’ve heard of. In fact, Frank is loved – groove to ’em…!

Random ramblings downtown – a cool shop and a smaller church, etc…

An artsy batch featuring a couple of galleries (cool photography), a stylish restaurant, the national art museum which I didn’t go into, and some outstanding, very large murals on an old warehouse near the wharf – as well as some ancient unidentified ruins (an “attraction” in Google Maps)…

Felt conflicted (and outta time) about doing a Favela tour (so did not), but walked thru a funky neighborhood that mighta made up for that? Had a beer with a couple locals at an unlikely cafe on a deadend street (but not for pedestrians). Saw lotsa cats, more shootable murals, interesting buildings, and an ancient Portuguese fortress wall incorporated into the town. Take your time…

Had to come back to the spectacular Museum of Tomorrow – Museu do Amanha – and go through it almost completely. Dramatic architecture, more dramatic statements!

Unfortunately, I’ll be missing both the Earthshot Prize event here in Rio and COP30 in Belem, both of which I’d considered staying for (alas, I’m less sustainable than mother nature).

More from the Museum of Tomorrow – Museu do Amanha – which included a great exhibit on the Pantanal – where I went on my first trip to Brazil in 2000 on an Earthwatch expedition at the Fazenda Rio Negro (more here).

In conclusion – Dominos at the market…

OK, one more conclusion – airport art in Rio, and from the window over North America (ATL to SFO) – mostly the Rockies and the Sierras, but some other bits of US…

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Will likely stay for the rest of 2025 for family fun, etc.

Thanks again for coming along with me. What a year!

Do we need to discuss New Year’s Resolutions…?

Our own museums of tomorrow…

???