Monday 1:45 p.m.
We have finally recovered from our night at Carnaval, or at least I think we have. Our crew has been looking over the video and pictures this morning and it's incredible to see what we experienced.
Today is more about sightseeing and trying to enjoy the beautiful weather. We've been so busy that we didn't even notice or hotel had a great view of the Christ statue from the pool area. That's what happens when you're in Rio. It's non-stop.
Last night felt like attending five Super Bowls in one, yet they still have two complete nights left of parades at the Sambodromo. We won't be making the trip over tonight. As amazing as it was, it was like running a marathon for our crew.
Watch: The biggest party in the world!
We were forced to go from place to place in a hurry, but looking back, we wouldn't want it any other way. In the US, at most big events, the media is stationed in one area for the entire event. We were able to see the Carnaval parades from all angles. While it was draining, it was the experience of a lifetime.
Now it's time to send some pictures and video back to South Florida. We'll have a complete report on Local 10 news at 5 p.m. For now, ciao from Rio. We'll see you at 5 o'clock.
Monday Feb. 20, 2012: 3:45 a.m.
What a day! We just got back from the Sambodromo and the start of the Carnaval parades. Simply put, it was amazing.
It's 3:45 a.m. local time in Rio De Janerio, but our crew is still buzzing about the experience of taking part in Carnaval. It was like watching a Super Bowl halftime show that was 10 hours long and was performed by thousands of people.
Slideshow: Latest photos: Rio's Carnaval
The show is still continuing until 6 a.m., but we had to call it a night. It was an amazing show of beauty, color and dance.
Miami artist Romero Britto was honored with the first parade of the entire festival, and it was quite a show. The crowd just overflowed from their seats and their were millions more walking the streets of Rio. That didn't even include the multi-millions watching on live TV throughout the world.
We spent time in the beginning of the parade route, in the stands with all the fans and even in a private suite where actress and singer Jennifer Lopez attended.
The outfits were elaborate and the bodies were rock hard. This truly was a show like no other. I had been told that this was the biggest party in the world and it didn't disappoint.
I'll have plenty of pictures and video throughout Monday on Local10.com, but for now, it's off the get some much needed rest.
Sunday 3:00 p.m.
It's time to head to the start of the Carnaval parades. We spent the day shooting video for our special show all around the beach. They say what happens in Rio stays in Rio, well, it doesn't work that way when you work in TV.
Today alone, I ate filet mignon for the 3rd straight day an wore a speedo (momentarily) for a TV shoot. Yes, I'd say those are only things I'd do in Rio. I'm hoping the speedo thing never makes it to your television sets.
I've always wanted to see the Carnaval parades in person, and tonight is my chance. Even though it doesn't begin for another 3 hours, we have to leave the hotel now because of the crazy traffic.
Our Local 10 crew will take plenty of pictures and video. I'll update here in the morning. At this pace, we may get back to the hotel around 5:00 a.m.! Talk to you soon from Rio.
Feb. 19, 2012: 8:00 a.m.
After two days of work, we finally got a taste of a party at Rio's Carnaval. Our crew was invited to attend a private party at one of the most amazing homes in Rio De Janeiro. It's in a small mountainside community known as Santa Theresa.
It's the home of a former first lady of Brazil, and it's hard to put into words how beautiful and luxurious the home is. The only way I could describe the outside of the home is that it looks like it's straight out of the movie "Scarface."
For those who are fans of that movie, it had the same type of grand entrance. A long, sprawling driveway with fountains and gorgeous landscaping. The inside of the home was even more incredible, including a library that was the size of my home back in South Florida. The famous Christ statue literally overlooked the home from behind. What a sight!
Samba music played all night, as a who's-who's of Brazil partied away, including not one, but TWO former Miss Peru's! Like all women there, they couldn't stop talking about the fact famous shoe designer Christian Louboutin was in attendance. Of course our Local 10 crew, made up of three men, had no clue who this man was.
Champagne flowed the entire night, and by the time a live band jumped out to perform, everyone was dancing.
It was interesting to see the different side of Carnaval parties. Rio is a city with very distinct financial and living areas. You have multi-millionaire's living in high-end homes and condominiums and then the majority of people living in the slum areas called Favelas.
Those two sides of Brazil life may not have much in common on the surface, but when it comes to a good party, they're alike. It's all about energy, passion and fun. We felt that energy at the parties on the streets, and we certainly felt that energy at the party in Santa Theresa. The real difference for us, other than the free flowing champagne, was the feeling of safety.
As I've mentioned in previous blog updates, you do have to be very careful of pick-pocket's who try to box you in on the streets. We've now had two encounters like that. Fortunately, the second time we were able to get away with all our belongings, i.e; camera equipment.
By the end of the night, around 2 a.m. local time, we were ready to take a private van back to the hotel. To describe this scene wouldn't do it justice. We fit about 20 people in a van made for 15. This included people still carrying glasses filled with champagne. Put it this way, my photographer had to sit on my lap. Yes, it was that kind of night, and everyone in the van still wanted to party. I thought I could hang and party like a Brazilian in Rio, but by the time we got back to Ipanema, I was ready to go to bed. But hey, I still had a great time.
To think, the so-called "real" party begins tonight at the Sambadromo for the start of the Carnaval parade. I better get my rest!
Saturday 5:45 p.m.
The day was long in Rio De Janeiro, but the night is young. The streets of Ipanema are overflowing with people. Locals tell us police were even a bit startled by crowds exceeding two million people partying all over the city.
Speaking of parties, it's 8:45 p.m. local time and it's time to head to a private party at a sprawling estate in a beautiful home in Santa Theresa. That's a quaint town about an hour outside of the center of Rio.
I think I'll call it a night and go enjoy it with our crew. We have big day tomorrow with the official start of the Carnaval parades. Meantime, I hope you enjoy the story we just filed that will air on Local 10 news at 6:30 and 11 p.m. Good night. We'll talk tomorrow from Rio.
WATCH: Will goes behind the scenes at Carnaval
Saturday 12:30 p.m.
Our crew is back at the hotel to work on our story for Local 10 news at 6:30, and what a story we were able to get.
With the start of Carnaval just over 24 hours away, we got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the final preps going on for the first parade.
PHOTOS: Behind-the-scenes parade preparations
I even got to get on the floats where all the samba will be happening Sunday night. I would call it a controlled chaos!
Workers were still gluing, sawing, nailing and doing everything possible to get the floats ready.
Meantime, upstairs in the costume area, we saw hundreds of costumes being finalized by dozens of workers.
It was amazing to see the detail of each piece in the parade.
No detail is missed in the production.
The floats look larger than life with bright colors and movement.
To think, we're not even seeing the final product of how they'll be once Carnaval starts.
Miami artist Romero Britto will be honored with his own parade, and his bright colors were evident everywhere.
Many parts of the city showcase his work, and we stopped at two spots with him this morning to see some beautiful art he has created for his native country.
Now, after we edit our package, it's time to head to the beach.
Yes, let the Rio madness continue!
Feb. 18, 2012: 5:21 a.m.
Good morning from a sunny and beautiful Ipanema. I look outside and the view of the water is stunning!
Believe it or not, while my body says it's only 5 a.m. (it is in South Florida), it's 8 a.m. here in Rio De Janeiro, so that means it's time to get back to work.
We're set to meet Romero Britto at his hotel close by here in Ipanema. We have numerous stops this morning where his art work is being displayed.
We plan on seeing that and also have some time saved to check out the beaches. Don't worry, I'll snap plenty of good pictures and video.
Meantime, our crew had an "eventful" evening last night around this neighborhood. The plus was we saw some great Carnaval parties and people. We also had an amazing dinner at a local steak and fish restaurant. The bad news was the pick pocket who snatched the iPhone out of the hands of one of our crew members. Call it a lesson learned. Fun can be had here, but the opportunists are everywhere.
Okay, I'll be blogging more later. It's now our opportunity to see some amazing things today.
Friday 9 p.m.
We are already crime victims in the crazy street crowds of Rio. Pushing and shoving crowds got us boxed into a corner. Lots of opportunists pounced when they saw the television equipment. They tried to get our cameraman's wallet and telephone. He made it through the other end of the crowd with his belongings.
Another member of our crew, not so lucky. His iPhone was snatched right from his hand, never to be seen again. Not a good way to start our weekend, but crime is real in Rio, like so many other big cities. At least it wasn't the much more expensive TV camera we lost.
We won't let it ruin our adventure.
Friday 7 p.m.
Not sure what to compare it to. Enormous crowds have overwhelmed Rio de Janeiro. The streets are packed. Traffic is not budging as tourists and locals who have had way too much to drink start their Carnaval celebrations. We are heading out into the crowds. Don't have to go too far to find great pictures and stories. More to come!
Friday 5 p.m.
Welcome to Rio. We have arrived. What a memorable journey so far, and it promises to get even better.
Carnaval here we come. We will navigate through the gridlocked streets of Rio de Janeiro to our hotel in Ipanema, then hit the streets looking for tonight's story. I have a feeling plenty of stories will find us!
If all goes according to plan, we will see you on Local 10 News at 11 p.m.
Friday 2:05 p.m.
Five hours into our flight and it's nap time. Need to conserve energy for tonight in Rio. Romero is taking a short snooze too. I have a feeling we won't get much sleep this weekend, so good idea to catch some Z's when we can.
Heard some incredible stories from Romero on the flight so far. He's currently painting a picture of Queen Elizabeth and will be presenting it to her soon. Amazing stories, amazing trip. And have you ever wondered what the bathroom looks like in a $50 million jet. Well here's a picture. How will I ever go back to commercial flights again?
Friday 12:55 p.m.
It's about 12:30 p.m. local time back home in Miami and we're about 45,000 feet in the skies over Brazil. We're still a good four hours away from Rio De Janeiro. Our first stop tonight will be the street parties that accompany the start of Carnaval. I'll be filing a report as soon as I get in and send it back for Local 10 news at 11 o'clock.
PHOTOS: Slideshow: Romero Britto PHOTOS: Destination Rio PHOTOS: Rio de Janeiro, Carnaval (Updated throughout the weekend)
I'm told to expect literally thousands of people on the streets everywhere. Tomorrow morning we have a tour of some of the local spots in Rio and then a visit to a samba school. We also plan on hitting the beaches to see the real beauty of Brazil; the people! Romero Britto has a busy day and night planned, including a special party in his honor in the evening. He'll also tour a number of spots where his art work is being displayed.
Meantime, I don't think I'll ever want to fly commercial again! Flying in a private G-550 plane sure is nice. Okay, I can stop dreaming. I'll be hitting the connecting commercial flights come the NBA playoffs, but no complaining from me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience I'm making sure to enjoy. More to come from Rio...
Feb. 17, 2012: 8:35 a.m.
It's time to head to Rio De Janeiro.
Needless to say, I'm beyond excited for this trip to Carnaval. It's cliche to say something is on your bucket list, but this truly has been on mine since a young age.
Our Local 10 crew is set up on a private jet with Miami artist Romero Britto and ready for the 8-hour ride. Britto is sitting next to me right now, and I doubt he's ever been more anxious.
While he's painted for presidents, actors, singers and even royalty, being honored in his native Brazil is a dream come true for him.
So, here we are, both preparing for an experience of a lifetime.
Like I mentioned in an earlier video post, I wish we could bring all of you along, but I'll make sure to send some great pictures and video to give you a taste of the experience.
OK, it's time for liftoff. Next stop; Rio!
We'll talk next from Carnaval.
Feb. 14, 2012
South Florida's most famous artist is about to be honored in a very big way.
Romero Britto, now known around the world for his art, will share it with an even bigger audience as his art comes to life at Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.
His art decorates our landscape. You can't escape the color.
PHOTOS: Slideshow
Romero Britto has left his mark on South Florida and the world -- paintings, sculptures, cars, even a line of collectables now sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Britto is wildly successful. His art is now sold in galleries in more than 100 countries. He has painted presidents, celebrities, even royalty.
But with all of his successes so far in his life, his greatest achievement is about to be realized.
This weekend, Britto will be celebrated in Brazil, at the country's biggest celebration: Carnaval.
"I got an invitation from the school of samba. They said they wanted to make homage of my work," Britto said. "I was thrilled, and I couldn't believe it. Carnaval in Brazil is the biggest cultural event in the country."
It will truly be full circle for Britto.
He was born in poverty in Brazil, one of nine children raised by a single mother.
The once-struggling artist who gained fame in Miami, now returns to Brazil as a pop art icon and will watch as 4,000 performers bring his art to life.
It will be a spectacular production -- big, bold and bright.
"There will be thousands of people dressed up. There will be huge floats," Britto said. "It's hard to describe in words. I'm very appreciative. I'm very thankful."
Britto has worked for more than a year getting ready for this weekend's event. No detail has been overlooked. And Sunday night is show time!
"To do this in Brazil is, like, wow -- incredible," Britto said.
Here are some more incredible numbers to consider:
In Brazil alone, 100 million people will watch the Carnaval parade on television. In addition, the parade will be broadcast in 137 countries. Britto will be there in person at Carnaval to take in the experience.
Local 10's Will Manso will be in Rio to document the event.
"This is truly one of my bucket list items," Manso says.
You can keep up with his travels on Local10.com, where we will publish all the photos and videos he will be sharing from Carnaval.