Ibirapuera Park - Sao Paulo

One of the things you hear constantly from Paulistanos (people from Sao Paulo) is complains about being in traffic. Rightly so! Driving in Sao Paulo is like driving in Mumbai or in New York City with a twist.. large number of motorcyclists driving between lanes. Adventurous for some, business as usual for the locals .. and fatal accidents waiting to happen.

After all the hectic driving and a day at the office, Ibirapuera (EE-bee-Rah-Pooh-era) park is a welcome escape. It is Sao Paulo's version of Central Park. Spread over 400 acres, the park has several 2-4 mile walk/bike trails, bicycles to rent and pickup soccer games to interest the Pele in you.

A flying saucer shaped planetarium and a newly built auditorium gives visitors avenues to explore with traveling exhibits and outdoor concerts on Sundays. An outdoor library lends books (some in English) for park reading.

Park is within walking distance of major hotels in Moema area.

Bridge over Pinheiros - Sao Paulo

Driving into city of Sao Paulo one can see this tall X-shaped steel structure from several miles away. As you get closer the 450ft tall bridge over river Pinheiros looks imposing.

I find out later that it is the longest curved suspension bridge in the world.

Opened just over a year ago, it has quickly become a tourist attraction.

Officially named the Octavio Oliveira bridge in memory of a newspaper tycoon, locals prefer to call it Ponte Estaida - "suspended bridge", in Portuguese.

At the Hilton Morumbi (Av. das Nações Unidas), East/North side (and higher floors,15 and above) has great views of the bridge.

During the holidays the bridge is lit with large star shaped lights.




Grand bridge in a great city !