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Today I am off to Rio de Janeiro which I am very excited about. After saying goodbye and thanking Fernanda for her amazing hospitality I packed the last of my things and then headed for the metro. Amazingly I figured the metro out quite easily and made it to the bus station quite easily with Fernandas directions. I was able to find a bus with a spare seat leaving in 30 minutes so another win for me. The bus ride took about 6.5 hours and had a really nice scenic drive down through the mountains into Rio de Janeiro state. Arriving in Rio I couldn't see the coast but got a good idea of the sheer size of this ginormous city. At the bus station I found out that there was a city wide bus strike and all buses were grounded however there was a special bus running at 3 times the price - but such is life and better that then a taxi. Leonardo and Lillian's apartment was only 7km away but the bus took 1 hour to get there which shows how bad the traffic here is. I found the apartment very easily as its bright yellow, 30 stories high and easily the highest building in the area. On arriving I was met by Lilian and shown there incredibly beautiful apartment on the 26th floor - with views of Botafago bay, Christ the Redeemer and Sugar loaf Mountain. The apartment is only a 2 bedroom but is more like a penthouse suite with huge living, dining and kitchen space. Lilian and I conversed in Spanish until Leonardo arrived and he welcomed me with some fresh coconut water. For dinner Lilian had made this delicious chicken and creamy corn pie which was just what I needed after a few days of light eating. Leonardo insisted I try his special Acai dessert which he made with Acai and blended banana and on the top granola, honey and peanuts - ok wow I am hooked on this stuff now but couldn't finish so will save for breakfast. My room is the living room with a ginormous couch/sofa that sleeps 5, a huge widescreen TV and Ofcourse the incredible view of the bay - I have to pinch myself to check all this is real. I didn't know but Leonardo plays the guitar and is really good and ended up playing a heap of old favorites! It was really nice to see Leo and Lilian again and I can tell my time in Rio is going to be special because of them.
OBSERVATIONS:
- Coconut water - not as sweet as Asia but still delicious
- Rio - very expensive city
- Appears to be good bus network
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