Good Farofa! Where?

I took a trip recently to a place called Cachoeiras de Macacu* (literally translated is Waterfalls of Macacu), which was one of the most beautiful places I have ever had the fortune to visit.

Me jumping

into a waterfall

It took us approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes to get to Cachoerias by car from the big bus station in Rio de Janeiro, although all the guides will tell you it is about an hour and a half away. i know this because I managed to listen to a 2 hour and 11 minute podcast from start to about 30 secs from the end of the journey and I wasn't being totally unsociable when I first got into the car... well, for at least three and a half minutes!

I don't know if you listen to podcasts at all, but I am rather pleased I bothered to investigate them. Although the quality of broadcasting is sometimes questionable, there are some hidden gems in amongst these lumps of coal... My current favourites being the Collings and Herring Podcast. Basically they talk about current affairs in the papers back in sunny England, which is a bit strange because after 5 months with very little knowledge of England's news, suddenly all I really have is a satirical overview! Not complaining though.

Another

waterfall

I have also downloaded stuff to help me improve my Portuguese as I am a bit rubbish still!

Anyway, I am considering making my own podcast (let me know if you think this is a shitty idea) on something, but I know I need some half decent material to begin, but who knows... I may be on millions of peoples i-pods around the world one day... I doubt it though!

It's a

hard life

Where was I?

Oh yeah, Cachoeiras...

Got there and checked out a hotel that was in the most grotty part of town and didn't really appeal... then we drove to this absolutely amazing place called Pousada de Escultor. It was beautiful! It even had its own waterfall! We knew we had arrived at our home for the next few days. And it cost us R$18 (about a fiver) per night

OK... I don't really wanna tell you everyting about this place, as I would rather you went and found out about it for yourself. But lets just say Me and Suzi found our own private waterfall, which was nice! Also in general the landscape was some of the most spectacular ever.

I must mention that while I was in this place I also saw some of the most disgusting things I have ever seen here. But those are stories for another day.

What I really wanted to tell you about here was the food... or more exactly the guy who served us in a restaurant! but I need to fill in a few gaps first.

Worst restaurant in Cachoeiras goes to... shit, I can't remember the name, but it I think it was called Restaurante Cachoeiras Palace (sorry to you if it isn't). It is a part of a big hotel there and was quoted as the only real restaurant in the whole town by the locals.

I have eaten better meat both in quality and cooking ability from McDonalds.

Right, why I started writing this now...
My favourite restaurant so far in Brazil is Art Gourmet (Art Gourmet Rod. RJ 116, Km 44 / 784 Tel:(21) 2649-2811). It was less than a five minute walk from our pousada, and the food was really good... I even enjoyed the farofa! and between 5 of us eating we still only paid a total of about R$70 which in english money is about £20. (did I mention that we all had fillet steak?)

But I still haven't got to my point... but I am finally here. Not just really great food but also there was the best waiter I have seen in the world!

I mean if I said the best waiter in Brazil I would not be saying much. Most waiters here really don't even give half a shit whether you enjoy your meal or not, much like England.

Salomão was different though... Salomão knew how to do his job, and how to do it well. I'm not just talking about bringing out 12 plates in one go. He was polite and friendly

Visit Salomão at Art Gourmet in Cachoeiras de Macacu, it is worth it even if you don't see the pretty waterfalls!

(* I have added more pictures now this blogging thing actually worked... so far I have had to rewrite everything twice... Grr.)