Brazil and Argentina - Day 1: We are leaving for Brazil!

In fact, I "sat on my ass". I had different ideas about Brazil and Argentina, a lot of these ideas were influenced by the media and the smart people on the networks, I'll tell you what. But now I'm wondering if I'm going to be one of them. So - I'm not imposing anything on you, I just want to share my feelings about these two remarkable countries.

Day 1: Flight to Brazil

The flight itself looks like a real chore at first glance, but paradoxically it's better than flying to Miami. It's longer, but at least you get a good night's sleep. The jet lag is minus 5 hours, so for a 24 hour travel time, the fatigue isn't that great. We arrived in Rio de Janeiro in the evening at 19:00, it was already dark because they have a winter season here and it felt humid outside, but the sea was pleasant - about 23 degrees.

Brazil and Argentina - Day 1: We are leaving for Brazil!

Arrival and security in the city

The welcome at the airport, the transfer to the hotel and the accommodation was very quick and professional. I looked around and one of the first questions I had was about security. I had seen clouds of documentaries, read many articles about how tourists are robbed on the street in South America, and especially in Rio, and how dangerous it is.

All that has changed and as our guide said, two basic rules must be followed:

1. Don't make a big deal out of yourself and don't wear a gold chain around your neck on the street

2. Again - don't be a big shot and don't go where you shouldn't (like the favelas)

So, in summary: not being a jerk, if I understand correctly. And it's true, we haven't seen a single problem, a hint, a sense of danger. Frankly, an evening stroll on Copacabana felt safer to me than walking through Wenceslas Square. And that's a fact. No one bothered me, no shady existences, no thieves, or anywhere that smelled of grass or the like. Very pleasant indeed.

Yes, there are some places that are not so safe, but you can recognize them from a distance, and even the guidebook will warn you "Hey, don't climb here!" It's mostly where the homeless are.

Rio de Janeiro - "January River" in the tropics

Brazil's second largest city is not only an iconic tourist destination, but also a pulsating centre of culture and history. It lies on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and is famous for its stunning beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, which attract visitors from all over the world. One of the city's most important tourist attractions is the Statues of Christ the Saviour, which towers majestically atop the Corcovado Mountain. This monumental statue is one of the modern wonders of the world and offers a panoramic view of the entire city.

Another attraction is the Sugar Lobster (Pão de Açúcar), from where you can enjoy unforgettable views of Guanabara Bay and the surrounding countryside. Rio de Janeiro is also the home of the famous Carnival, which attracts thousands of visitors each year with its parade of colourful costumes, samba and endless energy. And you'll experience it all with RIVIERA TOUR on our cruise.

With a population of over 7 million, Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts, where modern skyscrapers alternate with shanty towns called favelas.

And why "January River"? When the Portuguese first sailed here on their voyages of discovery, it was January 1502. They mistakenly believed then that Guanabara Bay, where the city later developed, was the mouth of a great river. The name of the supposed river was later transferred to the city itself - and so the name Rio de Janeiro, "the river of January", was coined.

The end to the beginning

I put the very end of the journey right at the beginning of the article. On the way to Brazil and Argentina I realized how distorted information we have about different places and destinations and how distorted information is given to us. I realised how lucky I am to be able to travel and explore, because then my views on places, destinations and especially the people who live there change quite radically.

I realized how much hatred there is right among us - precisely because we have wrong and literally sometimes deliberately misinformed about the countries and people who live there. And Brazil and Argentina are examples of this. We haven't met so many wonderful and kind people in a long time. And so the main takeaway from this trip is the appeal: People travel because no one will ever steal your travel money. And your knowledge will be greatly expanded and you'll get a whole different perspective on the world."