YES! That's it! I lived in room 703 and every morning I ate breakfast on my deck...gazing out at the ocean. The fisherman would pull up onto the beach and often sold their catch of the day to the Regenté. There was a tunnel under that roadway from the hotel to the beach...and in my day...it was very safe to use. There was no hotel next to the Regenté when I was there. There was a delightful side street that, also, led up to the favelas...but had a few delightful little businesses along it....and the area was safe. There was a charming little guy who made fresh fruit purés on the corner that I just loved. And...a shoe store on the next corner. The traffic in front of the hotel simply fascinated me. LOL Having lived in Boston, New York, Chicago and San Francisco...I thought I'd seen the world's craziest cab drivers. LOL Nothing topped the cabbies in Rio...but their accident laws far surpassed ours. If you caused an accident in Rio...you were legally required to stay with the injured until you were legally released. In all the time I was there...I never saw an accident. Boy! Has Rio grown since I was there. Did the natives still light candles at night on the street corners and beach when you were there? The presence of Macumba was still quite obvious when I was there. Somehow...I doubt it still is. Most of what I saw was dedicated to white magic and as one might imagine...very symbolic. You mention the hotel bar and all I can remember is the staff who laughed at me because I drink my coffee black. They just couldn't accept that and tried, unsuccessfully, to serve it with hot milk. LOL There was a soft drink...the name of which escapes me at the moment...that I was very fond of. I've never been able to find it state side...but I brought the powder home with me when I returned to California. Sadly...it never tasted the same. Guatinah? I know the spelling's not right...but phonetically...that's its name. Obrigado, Bob. Your photos are such a treat! Anne

No snow here today, at least not yet. I would like it to at least warm up some!! Is that too much to ask?? Well the quality of my picture is seriously lacking, but it was 11pm, I was using my iPhone and the only light came from the lamp on the far side of the room. Rocket and Fred were waiting on me so we could go to bed.

No, Jim had nothing to do with this. I met Dale, when I toured on my bike in Florida in January. :)

Jasdip, no I haven't driven down to see it. It's only an hour from me but I haven't had a chance between poor weather, Easter and family visiting, etc.