DINING OUT Many restaurants in RIO and throughout Brazil specialize in buffet dining and charge you for your meal on a per kilo basis. Dining out in Rio is not cheap!

VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS Brazil is not the greatest place for vegetarians – it seems that Brazilians love a diet rich with cheese and meat. I was lucky to find a small macrobiotic restaurant in downtown RIO that offered a number of set lunches. Very affordable with local prices.

In Copacabana, I stumbled into Bio Carioca, a quaint vegetarian restaurant located just a couple of blocks from my hotel, and in the upscale neighborhood of Leblon, I ate at the Vegetariano Social Clube, a very stylish and chic (albeit expensive) vegetarian bistro. Despite the relatively high prices, I have to admit that the food was pretty tasty though.

IPANEMA BEACH I had read all the glowing reports about this famous beach, and they are truly deserved. The setting is magnificent with the famed Sugarloaf bookmarking the far end of this magnificent wide, white sand beach. On a Saturday afternoon, the long stretch of beach was packed with sun worshipping cariocas. On the sidewalk lining the beach, came a stream of joggers, walkers and skateboarders. Despite its urban setting, there were very few hawkers and solicitors.

Located across the street from the beach are high-rise office buildings and condos. I was surprised by the absence of streetside cafes, bars and restaurants. The scene is surprisingly low key.

Too bad I was unable to make the trip to the famous Christ the Redeemer Statute. Perched on the top of Corcavado Mountain about 2300 feet up, the panoramic views of RIO from this vantage point are supposed to be incredible.

There is an unwritten rule that if you’re going to Brazil, you must spend some time in Rio. If you ask most people, Rio has a magical allure and a reputation that precedes itself. Well, this traveler made his obligatory visit to Rio. I would like to share you some thoughts and observations.

RIO IS BIG Many travelers don’t realize that RIO is an enormous city. With a population of about 10 million people, it is about the same size as Bangkok, Thailand. Like most big cities, it has many different and distinct neighborhoods.

CARIOCAS LOVE TO PARTY At the end of the work week on Friday evenings, many people – mostly professionals - will set up an impromptu bar on street corners in the upscale neighborhood of Leblon. Using just a wood carton or a small folding table (with or without chairs), they will enjoy beers and mixed drinks with their friends and coworkers.

Located just down from the hill from Santa Teresa is Barrio Lapa, a middle class neighborhood with many bars and upscale nightclubs popular with the University crowd and young professionals. I went there on a Thursday night, and the cariocas were out in force.

RIO BY CABLE CAR An interesting and very cheap way to see Rio de Janeiro is by cable car. The cable car starts in downtown RIO and climbs through several neighborhoods including the very bohemian suburb of Santa Teresa. Along the way, you’ll see some of the very exotic and colorful graffiti that grace the retaining walls of Rio’s tree lined streets. Brazil - Rio in particular - is famous for its graffiti artists