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At any major streets of Rio de Janeiro
try to flag a minivan that carries a
sign Niteroi and dong dong you are in
one of the finest harbours in the world
in 10 minutes.
The city reminds me of Monte Carlo,
Hongkong and Sydney harbors combined in
one place. Niteroi means hidden water in
their native language, and gee, the city
is prose one moment, poetry the next.
Everyone talks about its pristine
beaches. Standing along the main
boulevard that is next to the main beach
reveals thousands of people frolicking
unafraid of the raging waters.
The hydro tower on top of the peninsula
can be seen from afar. "It's a sight to
behold, you don't wanna miss that from
that vantage point", the Niemeyer
security guard points out in order to
get a glimpse of Rio from the north.
Most people who visit Rio de Janeiro
miss this lovely city opposite the
Guanabara Bay. The city of Niteroi (1996
pop. 450,124) beckons some 10 kilometers
from downtown Rio. Oscar Niemeyer must
have loved this city a lot.
The famous Brazilian architect who made
splendid government buildings at
Brasilia, Brazil's capital helped put
Niteroi in a must see list with his
flying saucer-shaped Museum of
Contemporary Modern Art that juts out
along the ocean drive of this
metropolis.
Most citizens of Niteroi commute to Rio
for jobs. The city however boasts as a
shipbuilding center aside from the
foodstuffs, textiles and metals that it
supplies for Brazil.
Visiting the museum
during the Rio Carnival proved
frustrating with all government museums
and offices closed. I failed to see the
interior features of this architectural
jewel but nevertheless the fine weather
and crisp Guanabara bay wind made my
visit a real treat.
Index •
Rio Carnival •
Rio Helicopter Sightseeing •
Botanical Garden
Sugar Loaf •
Corcovado •
Niteroi •
Ipanema •
Safety in Rio •
Danger in Rio
Fly to Rio •
Intl. Tel. Card, Internet •
Foods & Restaurants •
Busses transportation
Make friends •
Apartment/Flat •
Miscellaneous •
Join the parade •
Distance Chart
Fond memories •
Rio Carnival 2008 •
Venice Carnival 2009 •
Guestbook
Penthouse vacation
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