Up
for my usual sail-in photos…. Great skyline…
Then Ann, Cathy and I caught the first shuttle for the port terminal
where we met our guide for the day. Recife’s old town is jam-packed full of
imposing architecture and colorful colonial buildings. Many of the buildings
date back from the 19th century. As we traveled around, you quickly discover
why Recife is nicknamed the Venice of Brazil...with over 50 bridges
crisscrossing the canals and waterways. Today, we started our tour of the old
town at Marco Zero, a monument on the spot where Recife was founded by the
Portuguese in 1537...We walked down Bom Jesus Street, which once was the center
of the Jewish population in Recife. The synagogue and Jewish cultural center
are still located here. We visited Pernambuco Embassy, an exhibition center
featuring the famous giant carnival puppet dolls from Olinda. The giant dolls,
represent famous people such as singers, football players, actors, presidents,
etc. Other highlights included; Arsenal Square, Republic Park, St. Isabel Theater
and the Governors Palace. We paid a visit to the Casa da Cultura, an arts and
craft marketplace that has been converted from the old prison. Next, we stopped
at the expansive Boa Viagem beach area, the city’s central stretch of sand,
surrounded by upscale condos, restaurants, shops, and bars. Leaving the beach,
we went to the sister city, Olinda, just a short drive from Recife. Olinda is famous for its pastel-colored
houses, quaint colonial buildings and churches... the entire historical center
was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Whitewashed colonial
churches are a dime a dozen in this quaint little town, from dainty little
neighborhood shrines to grand cathedrals like the Alto da Se Cathedral,
Franciscan Cathedral and Convent and Misericordia Church...Unfortunately, many
of the churches and monuments were barricaded to deter Carnival vandalism and
certainly not conducive to picture taking. I did climb the panoramic tower for
some nice views and we were able to visit Saint Benedict Church and Monastery.
On our return to Recife, we visited Fort Brum, it was built in 1631 under Dutch
rule and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1690. It was another very, very hot day
in Recife.
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