25th February 2007 - Day 331

Our first full day in Rio, so when in Rio do as the Cariocas do!! (Cariocas are Rio-ites) Yes we headed for the beach. Went out on our second recommendation from Patrick at the pousada to Ipanema as there is a craft fair held there every Sunday. The market was in full swing when we got there (after a rather round the houses route) and rach picked up some souvenirs of the Brazilian variety. Then after a dose of retail therapy off to the beach. The Beach was huge and very busy - it was the weekend!!! Topped up the distinctly fading Indian tan (neither Oz or NZ were sunny and rather limited on the sunbathing front).

Caught the bus to Cococabana for the end of the afternoon, where we picked up a coconut to drink and a beer in front of the grand Royal Cococabana Hotel - which was nicer - than the beach itself was a bit litter strewn - Ipanema was definately the cleaner choice. Headed back for dinner at the pousada, a bit of typìcal Brazilian home cooking. Chicken, rice, a brown bean stew, a some local fruity green salad. All the guests round a big table.

26th February 2007 - Day 332

We decided to first head to the famous Sugar Loaf as the weather was clear, the weather was amazing and the view even better. Yes it was just like the holiday programmes on tv! Every part of town seems to have a beach, and from here even Rio looks pretty. After lunch in the suburb of Urca we headed for the Big Jesus on Corcovado. The weather had got a bit greyer by the time we reached the top but the views were just as good. We got down just in time as the rain came as we got back into the train to take us down.

Dinner was in Santa Teresa a fish supper of Moqueca - a brazilian coconut cream and fish stew, not bad if a bit bland.

27th Febraury 2007 - Day 333

On our last day we planned to take it easy and stop in the centre to check out the shops and then head to the beach. Anyway after a visting the modernist cathedral and a few shops and a long lunch in an very fancy old coffee house in the centre - Confiteria Columbo - we gave up the beach idea and headed home. After another home cooked feast a huge slab of pork this time, we headed out with Lei, a japanese TV reporter over for carnaval season, to a Samba Bar (restaurant) to catch some music. Even a few of her other friends from her Japanese Samba class were here. The music was cool, led by a Samuel L. Jackson type, the singers kept coming on (each with a cd to sell) - everyone seemed to have a try! A Japanese girl picked up the mic and sung and she seemed to have the largest voice of them all despite her tiny size. A good night was had by all.

28th Febraury 2007 - Dat 334

So long BRAZIL!!! Said our goodbyes and headed for the airport. First to Sao Paulo, then Santiago. Then a three hour wait for our plane on to Lima, Peru arriving just after midnight. Meaning we racked up a few films on board.