According to the brasilian, it was in fact built as the headquarters for the Brazilian Customs Service. Initially a quite prosaic building was planned, but Emperor Pedro II intervened, demanding that to have a unique building that is different from the usual. and so.. the Designer Adolpho Del-Vecchio complied, making charming use of the Gothic Revival and now we got another tourist attraction to visit.

Well.. the island name was actually was actually 'Ilha Fiscal', which i found out later at the ticket booth. It was originally used to keep an eye on naval operations, and now belongs to the Brazilian Navy. The Brazilian Navy used this island between 1913 and 1998. Today, it is a museum housing exhibitions about the history of this landmark and about the Brazilian Navy. It was also the sight of the last Imperial Ball which was held 6 days before the King was kicked out of Brasil.

We reached the entrance booth at twelve but it was already closed. We were told that only 90 tixs will be issued per day hence only the early birds get to visit the Mickey Mouse Island.

=( No choice but to head for luch at Chinese Association. I swear i shall come earlier next time to pay the micky mouse family a visit!

Went for a stroll at Camboinhas. This beach is placed in a residential neighbourhood, enclosed by luxurious houses and buildings. The name originated in a naval accident in the 1950s. In that decade, a ship called Camboinhas went down in the ocean shore of the present neighborhood. A second ship was sent to rescue the cargo of the sunk ship, but went down itself during the attempts to raise the debris. Today, the remainings of the hull of the Camboinhas can be seen during the low tide.

I din noe taht there such a nice neighbourhood in Niteroi. The water is clear and the sand is white. There are people fishing.. walking the dog sun-tanning and swimming... The sunset was really a beautiful scene, just too bad i din carry my cammie.

Labels: Brazil, Days of My Life, Sheepish Breakaway