June 2nd or: Petrópolis

Today actually started off yesterday. At 11pm at night, we caught a bus to Petrópolis, which wasn't too easy. First, you have to book online, then pick up your ticket, then weigh your luggage at the gate .. it's basically an airport for buses. Considering it has around 75 gates with buses leaving at any time of the day to any target you wish in Brazil or even Argentina/Chile/Paraguay, it probably serves more people than the average airport. Really interesting, but then again very important here in Brazil because there are no trains.

We were told taking the bus would be terribly uncomfortable, but actually it was more comfortable than equivalent buses in Germany. We even were able to catch some sleep.

Once we got to Petrópolis, we were picked up by our charming host Filomena. We caught a first glimpse of the city, which was the summer residence of the portuguese king during colonial times, because Rio de Janeiro simply was too hot. Petrópolis lies a little more inside of the country and inside the mountains, so the climate is more "european". The center of the city is baffling. Beautiful cathedral, lots of colonial houses along a promade that resembles the "champs elysées" in Paris. 

First of all, we wanted to sleep some more though. From our house, you were able to enjoy a breathtaking view out of a panoramic window of the whole Petrópolis area. Absolutely incredible. Subtropical jungle paired with colonial houses, really really pretty. 

breathtaking views

After breakfast, we set out to discover the city. The weather was indeed very european, mainly cloudy, not really warm and with the possibility of rain starting any minute. After we first took a wrong turn, we went to take a look at the king's residence (which was closed), mastered a challenge (finding a bathroom in a public library) and saw the cathedral. We went for a beer in a really pretty bar inside of a colonial house and got locked in there because it started raining heavily. Dinner was supposed to be at the local brewery (arguably the best beer in Brazil, which I agree with; it's called "Bohemia" and of course of german origin), but it was closed. Monday seems to be the sunday of Petrópolis because nothing really is open. 

Petrópolis cathedral at night

We ended up in a nice restaurant eating classic brazilian food: meat, sausage, bacon, rice, fries, sand (yeah, you notice the lack of vitamins). Still good though, I'm not going to complain. Then we got back and planned our trip to Rio, which will start tomorrow early in the morning. The weather is supposed to be great, we have a nice hotel right at Copacabana beach and good plans to do in our two days there. This will be exciting!