THE ROAD TO BRAZIL First Stop: Rio de Janeiro The Flight: American Airlines The Hotel: Novotel Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont RIO SAMBA CARNIVAL PARADE This time on what was my third visit to Brazil, I decided to brave the elements, ignore the cost, and attend my first official Samba Carnival Parade. This was the last of the grand parades, held on Saturday days after the official celebrations.. It started at just after nine pm, and ended not far away from five in the morning. I arrived back at my hotel just in time for breakfast. The pictures say it all. Rio Samba Schools THE HISTORY OF BRAZIL With a population of over 200 million, Brazil is a must see. Whatever you hear, please suspend your judgement. With a country so large, the fifth largest country in the world both in size and numbers, you are spoilt for choice. Plan carefully, and with extensive research,