Brasilia - last day

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Wed.26th Sept:
Domestic morning - laundry etc.
'Had a snack lunch and set off for the National Museum - looks like the planet Jupiter from the outside and very spacious interior. However not set out like a museum as we know it. The walls were lined with modern art - mainly scenes of the city, with a few 3D modern sculptures from the Stations of the Cross - no other historic exhibits!
'Went from there to the Palace Itamaraty (the Palace for Foreign Affairs). Had a guide to myself as I was the only English speaking person - a magnificent building (see photos).
Getting a bus is a difficult task in Brasilia - there are plenty of them, but finding the one you want and getting it to stop for you is difficult. Having failed to get one to stop for me up to now, I was determined try again as I needed one to get out to the President´s Palace which I was told was only open today. The taxi quotes were exorbitant, so I waited at a bus stop for about 40 mins before I could get one to stop. When I got out to the Palace it was well worth the effort - very luxurious modern building on the edge of the lake; designed so it doesn´t need AC. Most of the rooms were spacious and minimalist. Met the first British couple since arriving in Brazil; well actually the wife was Brazilian living in London. She translated the guide´s commentary for me - none of the guides there spoke English. They also had a car and gave me a lift back to the city.

Thur. 27th Sept:
Last day in the city; had a stroll round the park and lake and back up the TV Tower to have another panoramic look at the city. Will go to the Congress Towers this afternoon and then see if I can book a room in Natal (or in Poro Negro just outside it) for tomorrow night. Flight tomorrow leaves at 10:50am and will be in Natal at 3:00pm.

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Photos

The National Museum
Shaped like the planet Jupiter, it is an unusual building with external and internal platforms leading to the different levels inside.

Inside the National Museum
Every level is spacious with lots of art lining the walls.

Inside the Museum
Another shot of the interior showing the few 3D exhibits it housed.

Palace Itamaraty
The Palace of Foreign Affairs - again showing the influence of the architect Oscar Niemeyer - lots of curved shapes with a great use of water and foliage.

Inside Palace Itamaraty
These stairs led to a hanging floor - no columns or supports apart from the walls.

The President´s Palace
One of the more furnished of the rooms in the president´s palace.