The city center's heyday came in 1808 when the Portuguese Monarchy moved in with its 15000 strong Court to flee Napoleon's armies. Rio's brilliance did not diminish when Dom Pedro I refused to return to Lisbon, declared Brazil's Independence and became the country's first Emperor in 1822. I spent a week in Rio on the beaches of course, but also visiting museums and art galleries like this Museo de Arte Moderna near the Marina de Gloria where the more fortunate keep their boats near the old city center. Rio de Janeiro I stayed in middle class Catete, a stone throw away from Praia Flamenco, half way between the old city center and the fashionable Copacabana, Ipanema and Lebon beaches to the south. Here is Avenida Infante Dom Henrique linking the center to the southern beaches.
Flamenco beach is immediately to the left.
Rio de Janeiro Hotel Busola, across the avenue from the beach. Finally I leave you with this view of Copacabana Beach with its collection of beach front apartments, hotels and night-clubs. My 1994 adventure had come to an end and I flew back to Montreal after travelling 43,000 km and visiting 10 countries in 178 days.