Bonde experience ( June ´11 )

The bonde that travels up to Santa Teresa from Centro is the last of the historic streetcars that once crisscrossed the city.

After joining at Carioca station, near Lapa, the bonde travels over the Arcos de Lapa - one of Rio's iconic sights. Built as an aqueduct in 1723 to bring fresh water from the Carioca river to the population of the city, it was converted to a viaduct for the Bonde in 1896. It is pretty high, and people hang on to the side of the trams crossing the Arcos...



quite fearlessly...

The tram clatters up through the cobbled streets towards bohemian Santa Teresa, where we stoppped to recharge our batteries.

The relief of getting off the tram safely was apparent to all ...

During lunch we agreed that it was possible to improve the standard of tram driving ...

The views of Centro are rather exciting for some .... (the darlek shaped concrete building - is the modern Rio de Janeiro Catherdal).

Unfortunately one of the Bondes crashed on the 27th August due to passenger overloading and some 23 technical faults being blamed including the brakes. There were sadly some deaths and many injured, so the future of the Bonde is unknown...

Rob & Bhavna xx

Celebrating Jasmine´s 5th Birthday (June ´11)

As previously mentioned, the brazilians love to party, so when a birthday is in the mix  they pull out all the stops.

Jasmine mananged to spread her birthday over 3 days....

Friday 10th June - day 1

Keeping the tradition of the Webbers baking cup cakes pre-party, we set to work decorating....

The end result....but what no one at school realised, was that it took me 4 batches before I salvaged enough cakes for the class.

The classroom was set up ready for Jasmine´s class party near the end of the school day...

...and here are the children. Can you spot the birthday girl?

´Happy Birthday´ was sung and ´Parabens´ the portuguese version, which we all now know really well!

Think Jasmine was pretty pleased with the party....

Saturday 11th June - Day 2
The birthday girl woke up to a pile of cards and presents to open from family and friends, along with a few phone calls and messages too...

 

        

She´s a very lucky girl, thank you all very much!

Looks like Jasmine finally discovered the pressie under the green blanket...

... think Rory was excited about it too....

One last present, which seems to fit her perfectly.

A special birthday breakfast was to follow. Jasmine was thrilled with her second taste of Heinz baked beans in 9 months.

Jasmine was keen to start playing with some of new gifts. The painting easle was at the top of her list.

Most of the day was spent at Copacabana Forte, where the children were able to enjoy the stunning views ...

... role play, ´Fire!´                                                       and eat plenty.

Sunday 12th June - day 3

The day of the party had arrive and the excitment was building as the preparations began.

The beautiful cake arrived, a little bigger than we expected (an extra layer too much), but Jasmine was thrilled with her Tinkler Bell cake.

There was just enough time for a cuddle with the birthday girl before the party and the mayhem began.

The entertainers arrived and set to work. The 2 hours of fun included...

...singing

.... hiding

... playing

... story telling

... listening

.... even flying



.... running                                                                                       .... balancing

.... jumping

... giggling                                                                                      

 

... screaming

....  and scaring!

I think there was something there  to keep everyone amused... 

Happy Birthday Jasmine xxxx