One of the main attractions of Rio de Janeiro was unfortunetly closed down for visits during the IPS Biennial. I haven't visited the place since I was very young, with my parents, and I was expecting to come back last month with our IPS mates but the strong rainstorms in Rio in early April resulted in several landslides so the access to all roads and trails (including the old Imperial Chinese Vista and the tram to Corcovado) was forbidden for tourists and visitors for security reasons so we went to Flamengo Park and Pão de Açucar instead.
The Tijuca Forest was the first National Park established in Brazil and it represents the largest urban Forest Eco-system in the world, declared Biosphere Reserve of the planet by UNESCO a few years ago. Many species of palms are found in the Park, as well as many other native and exotic plants.
Now they are starting to allow the visits again...take a look at this slideshow pictorial:
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Tijuca ForestFor everyone who enjoyed the stay in Rio, it's one more reason to come back in the future...