A day of nature, arts and FUTBOL!
Day 3: Ibirapuera Park, Museu Afro-Brasil, Museu de Arte Moderna de Sao Paulo, Pacaembu Stadium, Tantra Mongolian restaurant
Bom dia, happy soles! Much love from halfway around the world!
This morning, we picked up on our happy adventure to experience a little bit of nature in the heart of Sao Paulo. Cristiane took us to Ibirapuera, a sprawling 2-kilometer park, which also houses several museums and convention centers. Ibirapuera is similar to New York City’s Central Park. The park offers plenty of scenic views, which is perfect to put our Sony Cyber-shot and Bloggies to good use!
First stop is the Museu Afro-Brasil, which showcases the importance of African immigrants to the Brazilian culture. It also tells the history of the African population, from slavery in the 1500’s to their influence in the modern Brazilian culture and arts. I especially loved the exhibit on famous black Brazilian football players.
Guess who’s happiest in museums?
Oona and Audie stand behind a collage of famous Brazilian artists and musicians.
Of course there were plenty of chances to fool around in the museum!
Cristiane then took us hiking around the park. See the magnificent lake behind us. Ibirapuera is a great place for Brazilians to jog, hang out and even sleep.
Several museums and exhbition centers are scattered around the park, such as these beautiful structures designed by the famed Oscar Niemeyer.
The Ibirapuera Auditorium
The Lucas Nogueira Garces Pavillion, also known as Oca, or the hut, for its round shape.
Cristiane took us biking, which is a great way to see the park in its entirety.
Uh-oh, now everybody knows my dirty little secret. I don’t know how to ride a proper bike! Don’t laugh, please. Cristiane was kind enough to find a three-wheeled one for me. Otherwise I would have totally missed the experience.
Hamming it up by the lake
All that biking made us thirsty, so Cristiane had us enjoy a cool coconut drink.
At the Sao Paulo Modern Art Museum
I so love this pic. Totally Facebook profile-pic-worthy haha!
And now, the best part, let’s experience some FUTBOL!
Cristiane took us to Estadio Municipal Paulo Machado de Carvalho. Pacaembu, as it is usually called, is a football stadium located on Praça Charles Miller, no nº - in Pacaembu neighborhood. It was named after Paulo de Carvalho, who was the Brazilian delegation chief of the 1958 World Cup, and was known as “Marechal da Vitória” (Marshall of Victory).
The Pacaembu houses the Museu do Futebol (Museum of Football), created to tell the history of Brazilian football. The museum covers 6,900 square metres (1.7 acres), it was built at a cost of R$32.5 millions, and is located below the stadium’s bleachers. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the museum which was unfortunate because their state of the art exhibits are so worth sharing.
There was a room which simulated the experience of being in a crowd of 70,000 football fans, cheering and chanting. We had goosebumps coming out of that room!
I was able to kiss my lifelong idol, Ronaldo! My Brazilian trip is now complete! *swoon*
Oona stands between Roberto Baggio and Rivaldo.
I am truly the happiest girl in the world. My dream of visiting Pacaembu has finally come true!
Cristiane then capped our day by taking us to dinner at the Tantra Mongolian restaurant. It has an amazing ambience with fantastic decor, such as these mini lamps adorning the wall, and suspended empty bottles below.
Claiton from Havaianas Brazil dropped by to say hello and give us another set of gifts, as if we haven’t received enough goodies already! Here we are showing off our new Havaianas bags! Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu guys!
This trip is truly a gastronome’s fantasy come true! Oona shows off her curried salmon before devouring it with gusto.
My Mango Shrimp cocktail. Yumm!
Chico’s lobster and shimp.
Audie went traditional and had a Mongolian rice bowl prepared on the spot.
Cristiane wanted us to have an early night because we need all the energy we can get for what’s in store in Day 4. We’re rocking Rio, baby! Yeahhhhhhh!
So sweet dreams, happy soles! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s adventure!
Cheers,
Farrah
