Foz do Iguaçu [Part – 01]

All packed and we are ready to fly to Iguaçu tomorrow. We booked a flight from RIO galeão - Tom Jobim International Airport with Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A [in short GOL Airlines].

On our way to Iguazu

We were too excited and decided to go to the airport early and since we wanted to use the public transport system while travelling to the airport we left our apartment around 11 AM although the flight was scheduled to depart at 16.55. It was a domestic flight.

Our ride to Iguazu

We booked a triple size room [room for three] for two nights through booking.com and we had to pay R$ 130 and R$ 10 for City Tax per stay [total R$ 140 which is equivalent to US$ 36 and BDT 3,050].

We are on our way....

The name of our hotel was Pousada Recanto and it was a family run boutique style hotel and the buffet breakfast was included for two. Since we will be staying outside for most of the time we were not so concern about the quality of our hotel.

Just landed at Iguazu International Airport

Anyway we took the flight from Tom Jobim International Airport and it took around 2 hours to reach Iguazu International Airport. We landed around 19.00 at the airport and decided to take a bus from the airport. Since English is not their main language it took a while for us to find the appropriate bus.

At Iguazu International Airport

Luckily there was an Asian volunteer who took the same flight to Iguazu [who visited Iguazu before] and he helped us find a bus. We took the bus from the airport however we had no idea about where to get off. We asked several other passengers about the hotel however most of them had no idea since most of the passengers are tourist like us.

Home for next two nights

There was a passenger in the bus who greatly helped us find our hotel. He was a bus driver by profession and knows every part of the city. 

Dinner

Anyway we reached our hotel by 20.30 and checked in. Since we had our lunch early we decided to take our dinner. Our hotel owner informed us that there is a nearby shopping mall where we can find some restaurants.

Large Pastel for me

We went to the restaurant and ordered some foods. I love Pastel so I ordered two large size pastels. Foods at Iguazu were a bit expensive especially fast foods.

In front our hotel

Anyway since we will have to cover a lot of areas tomorrow and new to the city we decided to go back to our hotel and make a detail plan. On our way to our room we asked the hotel owner about our plan for tomorrow. He gave us a clear idea about the route we should take.

At RIO galeão - Tom Jobim International Airport 

We were instructed to go the dining area for the buffet breakfast in the morning and the owner showed us the dining room.

Iguazu from above

We decided to go to bed early as we wanted to cover two large areas. One is the falls itself and the other one is a bird’s park which is known as Parque Das Aves not too far away from the Iguazu Water Falls.

Bird's Eye View of Iguazu

< To Be Continued >

Rio 2016 [Part-12]

And it’s another big break. It’s been nearly a year. A lot happened in the last few months. Had few amazing family trips to Sylhet, had some solo and group trips to different parts of the countries and had an amazing trip to Nepal. Will try and continue this time.

Our Ride to Governador Island 

Since we still have one more day before we fly to Iguazu we decided to visit another island near Mainland Rio. Moreover we really liked Paqueta Island and decided to cover as many islands as possible and decided to visit Governador Island in the next day [31 August 2016].

At the Ferry Station 

We had two options however we have decided to use the Ferry again since we loved it and also the station was not far away from our hilltop apartment. We took a ferry from the same ferry station from where we took a ferry for Paqueta Island.

From the Ferry

Boats and Ferries depart from Rio de Janeiro at the XV. The trip takes around one hour and offers breath-taking views of the Guanabara Bay, Fiscal Island, Rio/Niteroi Bridge, Sun Island, Jurubaibas, among others. The boats and ferries operate from 5:15 am to 11pm, and depart every 2 hours approximately. The tickets cost roughly 3 dollars per person.

Beautiful Governador Island

Although we have just used our Rio Card provided by the Organizing Committee of Rio 2016 Olympic Games & Paralympic Games.

Governador Island

However before our journey to Governador Island we have decided to pay a visit to Japan House which was located near the ferry station. Since Tokyo will the next Summer Olympic Games [Tokyo 2020] they have set us several Japan Houses in and around Rio.

At the Japan House

At these houses Japan tried to show the culture, heritages and attractive areas of the country. Main idea was to promote Japan. This is how upcoming host countries of Olympic try to showcase their countries since a large local and international crows gather in one place.

At the Japan House. Food & Japan. 

Japan is one of my favorite countries and I always admired the people of Japan not for World Wars but for their humble behaviors. Hosted a Japanese couple in my house while I was in London and loved them.

At Governador Island

My desire to visit Japan and especially volunteer in Tokyo 2020 doubled after visiting Japan House. Anyway we board the ferry around 3 PM on 31 August 2016 and reached Governador Island by 4 PM.

Beautiful Governador Island

Governador Island, also spelled Governours Island, Portuguese Ilha do Governador, island, the largest island which is around 12 square miles [31 square km] in Guanabara Bay, southeastern Brazil. Linked to the mainland and Rio de Janeiro by bridge, it is the site of a naval air station and shipyards. The main campus of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is located on a smaller island between Governador Island and the mainland. The international airport of Galeão, opened there in 1977, is about 10 miles (16 km) from Rio de Janeiro’s centre.

Beautiful Governador Island

Rio de Janeiro's main airport, Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport, and the Galeão Air Force Base are located on Governador Island and occupy about a third of it, in the western and northwestern parts. A small sea inlet that once existed on the northwestern shore was landfilled to build the airport's runway 10/28, thereby increasing the island's area.

Evening at Governador Island

Ferry station is located on other side of the Island which is predominantly a residential part. Just like Paqueta Island this is another beautiful Island of Rio. We spent around two and half hours at the island. We experienced our first Brazilian Rain while we were at the island.   

Razon Bhai at Governador Island

Just like other islands of Rio people from Governador Island suffer from high pollution from Guanabara Bay. Although surrounded by beaches, many of them have become inappropriate for usage even though the bay has been cleaned up in for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Checking-in at Governador Island

The island is home to only one professional football club, A.A. Portuguesa. Its home is Estádio Luso Brasileiro, which in recent years has been expanded so it can be used professionally by Botafogo, as Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, its normal home, is being used for Olympic purposes.

Evening view of Governador Island

Since we will be flying to Iguazu we were excited and decided to go back to our apartment as we needed to spend some time packing. We took 19.00 ferry and came back to mainland Rio.

This is how it looks at night!!! 

Stay tuned since we will be exploring one of New Seven Wonders of Nature. Foz do Iguazu.

< To Be Continued >