The first three days were spent in Barra, a suburb about 15 miles south of Rio. Rio is just over the mountains in the picture at left. Our introduction to Carnival was through an upscale mall a short distance from the hotel. There families gathered with their small children to teach them the fun and festivities of the event. The surprise of the Rio visit was seeing dozens of floats retreating along the cruise terminal while we waited to board Azamara’s Quest. It was the perfect opportunity to get pictures of the floats without the crowds.
