Return to RIO

With a pulsating nightlife, 37 white-sand beaches fronting the sea with fecund green peaks, and the legendary beauty of the people themselves, it’s no wonder Brazilians say ‘Deus e Brasileiro’ because God’s partiality to this magical city is evident.  IndulgeMagazine.com takes you back to the sensuality of Rio during the 2008 New Year’s celebrations so you can plan ahead for the 2010 celebration to secure unbeatable deals.

 

STAY 

Marina Palace Av. Delfim Moreira, 696.  Praia do Leblon.  Telephone: 55 21 2172 1100

Operated by the same team from the prestigious boutique hotel, Marina All Suites, this affordable option is more energetic and offers fantastic views of the beach and is conveniently located around Avenida Visconde de Piraja, Rio’s chic shopping area and home to numerous cafes, juice bars, and the popular Pizza Guanabara. 

 

The staff is friendly and makes you feel at home (thanks to Marlucia and Manaolo at the front desk) and the ever-enthusiastic Christo in Room Service.  Spacious rooms, some with frontal or partial views of the ocean, and a killer shower that packs the power of an Amazon waterfall will make you glad you chose to stay here. 

 

The prime location is close to the bustle of Ipanema but allows more privacy and exclusivity.  New Year packages are specially priced and come with a bottle of champagne.

 

FLIGHT & RESERVATIONS

Upgrade to Business Class if you can.  If not, at least spend the extra cash if need be and go with TAM.  The trip is long – in some cases, almost 17 hours – and the Brazilian carrier sets a high standard with their hospitality and ensures your vacation experience starts from the moment you board the flight.  We recommend using travel agent Shelina Manji at Dada Travels at (213) 413-1058 for stress-free reservations.

 

PARTY

Wall to wall packed and barely an inch to glide through, THE WEEK is Rio’s top nightclub that headlines celebrity DJs and boasts its most beautiful crowd. But be warned that unless you have the connections, you could be waiting in line for hours so allow ample wait time. Rua Sacadura Cabral, 154-Saude, Rio. +55 21 2203 2488

 

The gracious Rosane Amaral and assistant Tatiana throw an annual 2-party New Year’s edition called REVEILLON R:EVOLUTION for an unforgettable time. An amorous and breathtaking crowd, glistening mermaids in the pool, floating jellyfish, and vistas of Christ on the mountain make these the must-attend parties of the Rio Summer season and New Year’s celebration package.  Enjoy the fireworks in Copacabana then head for the first party (last year at Sky Lounge) where DJs Bill Halquist, Flavio Lima and Gustavo Scorpio held court.  Then celebrate the 1^st at a Pool Party that puts all others to shame.  Be ready to show some skin.  www.revolutionparty.com.br

 

 

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TRAVEL FENG SHUI  

Make Your Hotel or Vacation Stay Wonderful With these Easy Tips:

 

You may have heard of using FENG SHUI to design a home, but did you know its principles can also be used to promote a positive flow of energy during your vacation or business trip? Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art used to create abundance, health, happiness and wealth.  Using these tips can make your vacation more relaxing and your business trip more effective.

 

1. 1- Open the windows when you first walk in to let fresh air into the room. Getting the air moving is a great way to clear any stagnant “Chi” or “energy" left by the previous occupants.

2. Unpack your luggage right away and keep it out of site. This will promote a more settled feeling inside the room. And will let you start focusing on the activities you want to do and not the length of your stay.

3. Take a hot shower to allow the hot water to flow good Chi energy onto you. Using a lavender soap can also chase away any built up stress or tension gathered during your trip.

4. Display photos of your family on the night stand. This will make you feel comfortable and keep you in connection with your loved ones.

5. Bringing your own scented candles and burning them while you are in the room can induce calmness and serenity through aromatherapy.

6. In Feng Shui, bathrooms are associated with financial loss. Be sure to keep the bathroom door closed at all times to prevent this especially on a business trip.

7. Display some scarves or fabrics you love to brighten up your hotel room and bring a bit of your personality in. Having a red shawl or red piece of fabric with you is also a great way to bring a very auspicious outcome to your transactions if you are on a business trip. Red is the luckiest color in Feng Shui.

8. Hang a scarf over the TV, any mirror facing your bed or images that are not pleasing to you. This will help you have a restful sleep and cut down on the reflective surfaces in the room. 

9. Move the phone and alarm clock away from your ears while you sleep by putting them on the floor. This will ensure you are not abruptly awakened.

10. Bring herbal tea with you. Most hotels offer a coffee pot that you can use to heat water so you can settle in each night with a cup of hot tea. While curled up with your tea, take a few moments to meditate on the sights, sounds, and tastes of the day. 

 -- Marie Burgos 

www.manobluedesign.com Tel: 917-353-9149 Email: marie@manobluedesign.com

 

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PAGES Chitra Divakaruni

 

Divakaruni and her novel, The Palace of Illusions, both compel one to gush.  The author of more than 15 books, many of which have been translated into 20 languages, Divakaruni is also passionately involved in women’s rights and serves on the boards of Maitri (San Francisco), Daya (Houston), and Pratham, an organization that helps educate underprivileged children.

 

The Palace of Illusions revives the Mahabharata’s legendary heroine, Panchaali AKA Draupadi, who is betrothed to the five Pandava princes that compromise her dignity and lose their kingdom to their cousins in a game of dice.  The mythic events set off the climactic battle upon which the timeless discourse of the Bhagavad Gita is based.  Divakaruni accomplishes the intimidating task of taking larger than life events and instilling them with contemporary charm and accessibility without compromising the magic or integrity of the source material. 

 

“I was quite nervous,” she admits, “because it’s a sacred text but I wanted to do something different.  I didn’t want the story to be heavy because there is an element of fun in it and I wanted to bring this out.  I wanted to make Panchaali modern, less traditional and more humorous in a self-deprecating kind of way…The challenge was that the story is already there and I didn’t want to depart from it but wanted it to have another dimension so that it became a book about the spiritual search we all undertake.”

 

Divakaruni does this splendidly so that the reader is completely captured by a story that has been told over the ages and has always felt leaded.  Her version is welcoming, seductive and ultimately enlightening because it doesn’t distance itself from the reader and allows them to relate to the great drama, to the love and longing that we all feel.

 

Divakaruni, who was aware of the monumental task she was undertaking in interpreting a story involving not just timeless heroes, but also the Gods, says, “The day I started my research for the book, lightning struck our house! My husband was quick to ask if it was a sign from the Gods.”  Considering how captivating her novel is and the success it has already garnered, we can only interpret the bolt as a sign of approval from the higher-ups.

 

-- Ghalib Dhalla

 

 

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Oscar Suites

GBK at SLS Hotel

A virtual who's-who including “Slumdog” Anil Kapoor, Adrian Brody, Paula Abdul, Michael Sheen, Loretta Divine and Jennifer Coolidge sipped Singapore Slings, listened to the (very sexy) Nick Rallis Band and got pampered at the GBK luxury lifestyle gift suites that followed an Oscar theme at the posh SLS hotel in February. Classy host Lisa Jammal kept the flow and ensured top-notch vendors like Eminence Organics, Croton Watches and Metropolis Technology were at hand to chip into the booty of coveted gifts valued at more than $45,000.

 

 

 

MIX MEDIA Alive! Expo Green Pavilion

Eco-friendly, organic and natural products were the theme of the Mix Media suite at the Sofitel on Oscar weekend.  Harry Hamlin, Andrew Dice Clay, Maulik Pancholy, Marla Maples and Elisa Donovan were a few of the celebs that enjoyed healthy treats from the likes of Raw Revolution, Sweetie Sugar Scrub, Zrii, Zico Coconut Water, Aubrey Organics and Explorer’s Bounty teas.