Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
After our 24 hour bus journey, then a short ferry crossing, we arrived in Ihla Grande. The Island was an old fishing port, which is now a tourist resort. It was also a Brazilian Bank Holiday when we arrived, so there was a great atmosphere.
After a day on an idyllic beach, we spent an evening in a reggae bar having a few caprinas - exceptionally strong cocktails. The following day was pretty much the same!
We then took a bus to Rio. That afternoon, we took a city tour, starting first with the statue of "Christ the Redeemer". The views from here were phenomenal, although there was the usual smog going on, which appears to be everywhere.
Then on to the carnival parade, which when there is nothing going on, is a mile and a half concrete strip!! THere was also a museum here which had a few costumes in, and the samba school next door which was quite interesting to see.
The last stop on the tour was Sugarloaf Mountain, and we made it just in time to see the last of the sunset from the first stage ( you have to take 2 cable cars to get to the top, which hold 60 people). The night views were pretty cool, and it was also quite cool to see Jesus lit up.
Yesterday, we finished the group tour and took a taxi to our hotel on the front of Copacobana beach. It was astounding to see so many people on the beach, making the most of the autumn sun (30 degrees!). We had been told that it is~´t really safe there, so we just sat on the road and had a few beers, watching the Police Helicopters flying over!!
Last night, we went to a Brazilian show, which included carnival, samba, bossanova and a martial art which was pretty amazing.
We have 2 more days in Rio. Today, we´re off to a district known as San Theresa for a walking tour, then tomorrow, we´ll probably be on the hotel roof to catch some rays before we head for home.
See you in a couple of days!!
- comments