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Wooo we have arrive in Rio. It is so unbelievable that we are actually here! Was walking down the street and I actually said to Barney 'this is like a dream. Rio is one of those fantasy places that you just read about!'
So the flight was alot better than expected. Anyone who hasn't been to Terminal 5...go! stopped crying immediately when I saw Tiffanys and Mulberry..much to Barneys annoyance! FLight was long but I was amazed at the movie library...about 30 films and programs to watch. You can imagine how that was for me...made my decision straight away of course (I'm not indecisive at all!).
Yes Dad we had you bagels..Barney was a good jewish boy and had his too. we kinda stunk out the plane too. and we didn1 eat the herring one so now my day bag stinks of fish!
Arriving at the hostel was abit of a disaster...they didn't have us booked in. Not at all wat I expected considering we booked it months ago through STA and not exactly a good and encouraging start to the trip. SO whilst the unhelpful staff at receptionist joked around and told us they were too busy to find anywhere else to stay, Barney and I called every hotel and hostel we could find numbers for in the area but barely any one spoke english and the ones that did were apparently full. Who knew Rio would be so full up on a SUnday night in mid-Jan. Eventually I asked if we could sleep in the hostels 'chill out room' which they let us do. It was basically a room with old bean bags. We got some sheets and created a bed thing but stayed up most of the night and people could just walk in on us!
Anyway, we have our room now for tonight and will be fighting for compensation..lawyer daddy?!
I took Barney walking today. We walked the whole stretch of Copacabana beach, then Ipenema beach, then upto the Lagoon which is just stunning. We walked round the the botanical gardens and had lunch there. But finding the entrance to the botanical gardens was interesting. None of the locals seemed to know where it was!! and in the end it wasn't as exciting as hoped (the rose garden was actually about 2 roses). Barney had a good laugh at my insistance to go there. O well...it's all part of the experience!
It has ben sooo hot. reached about 38C and even though we suncreamed up we are very burnt. Barney looks abit like a plum! and I have huge white sunglasses marsks. We're just trying to convince ourselves that it will turn into a lovely golden tan!
Next we went to Corcovado (the Christ) statue. I allowed us to get the bus...can you believe I actually want to walk around! We got to the top and it was completely crowded over so we were really disappointed not to get an amazing view. THe statue was hidden in the clouds. However, after about 10 mins, suddenly the clouds parted and the statue became visble. I know it sounds so cliche but it felt really spiritual and kinda miraculous that we got to see it. Pictures are to follow. It didn't last for long and suddenly a massive thunder storm hit. All day we had been moaning about the heat and suddenly we were very cold and wet. In the morning, Barney had discarded my umbrella from the day bag cos apparently it doesn't rain in Rio...how wrong he was. It was bucketing. Anyway, made it back to the hostel and then got recommended to a really yummy buffet restaurant a few blocks away. YOu fill up your plate and then get it weighed and then pay per Kg.. Barney obviously had a massive plate of various meats and was still very suprised when his cost alot more than my big plate of fish and dips and aubergine (of all sorts...Richard you would've hated my plate!) After an ice cream we retired back to the hostel and now are about to lather ourselves up in after sun...obviously it's not going to make us think twice tomorrow bout being out in the sun...just cant help it!! bring on the tan!
So successful first day and off to bed. Love you all and do miss you (believe it or not) Pictures will follow once we leave Rio.
All my love,
Emily (and Barney) xxx xxx
ps sorry for the essay (Barney has a blog too but may now give up and copy and paste mine cos his doesn't compare!!! oh ye!)
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