The Brasilia Tour:
Brasilia was designed by the master urban planner Lucio Costa , who was given creative freedom to bring about the original concept of a city shaped as an airplane. The project became reality within only one thousand days in 1987. At that time the president, Jucelino Kubitschek, invited Oscar Niemeyer who designed most of civic monuments of the city. The population is now more than 2.7 million people, 5,779.999 KM² in length, has an altitude of 1,172m, and the climate is tropical.
The Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparaecide Church
The Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparaecide Church is one of the most architectural structures visited in Brasilia. It was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1970. It's architecture suggests hands united in prayer, with its 16 curved columns united at the top. Inside there are three angels hanging by steel cables. The Archangels represent Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. This church was just phenomenal!
The Museu Nacional da República
This great big white dome was also designed by Oscar Niemeyer and was inaugurated in 2006. The footbridge outside the dome provides a great view of the Esplanada dos Ministério. The space inside the dome was designed to display world renowned artwork of all types of topics to society, lectures, exhibitions, films, photographs, and seminars. We got to see some pretty amazing artwork inside the dome. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside, but if you ever get a chance to visit Brasilia this is a place you do not want to miss.
The Palácio Itamaraty
This beautiful majestic palace is the headquarters of the Ministério das Relações Exteriores do Brasil and it is known as one of Oscar Niemeyer's best work. It has three floors and it's concrete shapes the building defined by strong arcade with 14 arches, which emerges with a reflecting water garden designed by Burle Marx. Typically this is the first place that important people go to with a specific entrance created just for them, important people like other visiting presidents.
The Torre de Televisão Tower
This tower is the highest point of the Plano Pilato, with 224m high. It is aligned with the Congresso Nacional and the flag pole. It has an elevator which brings toursits to the most beautiful 360-degree lookout point, which is 75 meters. This lookout point typically stays pretty busy and its understandable. We absolutely loved the view!
The Congresso Nacional
This building is the headquarters for the Federal Legislature and it stands beside two domes, which represents plenary. The hollow dome houses the Senado Federal and the convex houses the Câmara dos Deputados. This architectural design was again by the famous Oscar Niemeyer. As you can see there is a bit of a protest just outside of it. There were so many people camping just outside of the Congresso Nacional for the president to be impeached. Many Brazilians are not happy with how the president is running the country. And with the dollar so low here it is completely understandable!
The White House
The White House, surrounded by a moat, houses the president of Brazil. Brasilia is like the Washington D.C of Brazil. The moat of water has thousands of coins tossed to make a wish. The guard stands ever so still just like those you've seen on TV in London. It was a beautiful sight for sure!
The Family OUting
While Marcos, his dad, his aunt, and I went exploring in Brasilia to see all of the famous architectural buildings, the rest of the family did some of there own touring. For them, it wasn't their first time in Brasilia as it was for me.
The kids went and visited a planetarium and did a little sight seeing. We missed them, but I loved seeing these pictures of the different things they did. The kids are so darn cute!
The kids went and visited a planetarium and did a little sight seeing. We missed them, but I loved seeing these pictures of the different things they did. The kids are so darn cute!
The Mall Visit
At the end of the day we all meet up at the mall to eat some food. When Marcos, dad, aunt, and I arrived the kids were playing on the slides and the ball pit. It really was the cutest thing. Lara and Luana were both wearing the same dress that Marcos' mom had made for them. Lara the four year old was helping Luana the one year old as they ran around playing in the ball pit and climbing up to the slide. Arthur the only 5 year old boy was in his own world playing in the ball pit and climbing on the slides. I absolutely love watching these kids play.
When the kids finally got done playing it was time to eat. Everyone was getting burgers and fries in the food court, but not Marcos and I. We had to have some japanese food and that was definitely an excellent decision. It was so good. After dinner everyone wanted a churro and unfortunately I cannot turn down a churro. I had to also get a side of coffee with that. What a perfect way to top off that day!