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Hi everyone, so I made it to Brazil and after being here in Rio for nearly a week, I´m going to be really sad to leave and say goodbye to my Brazilian family - Norma, Donato and Felipe, who have been such kind hosts.
Last Saturday, I was met at the airport by my friend Marcio and then we were picked up by Norma and Donato who welcomed us into their home in the beautiful neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. They have an unbelievable view of Rio from their sitting room and I have been lucky to have a view of Cristo (Christ the Redeemer statue) from my bedroom!
There was no time to waste in getting ready to go out and soak up the atmosphere of the bustling, party area of Lapa - the place to be on a Saturday night, dancing samba and drinking caipirinhas! I also tried feijoada, a traditional dish made from black beans blended up with some other ingredients that I never quite did find out exactly what they were... I also tried crab cakes (think muffin with a crab claw literally stuck on the top!) It was strange to walk through the streets filled with busy bars and restaurants, music blaring, people dancing, and then to be met by huge police vans across the middle of the roads with policeman guarding the area holding massive guns!
Sunday was spent on the beautiful beach of Barra da Tijuca, popular with the locals (cariocas!). Norma and I sunbathed (yes, it was hot enough even though it´s actually Brazil´s winter!) while Marcio, Donato and Felipe (Donato´s son) went surfing. After, we drove around Rio...it´s such a city of contrast - lush green hillsides, Cristo overlooking the city from the top, tall white buildings clustered together at the bottom, an expanse of sparkling water from the lake in the middle, beautiful beaches and favelas one on top of the other jutting out from the hillsides. In the evening, Marcio and I went out to Casa Rosa where we danced to baile funk, MPD (Brazilian pop) and a live band in three different rooms, and then headed to the ´after drinks´ after making friends with one of the band members!
On Monday, like true tourists, Marcio and I went to Cristo which was amazing. The views of Rio from the top are stunning and the statue itself is breathtaking. We took the typical tourist photos with our arms outstretched to mirror Cristos! Then we strolled along the beautiful beach of Ipanema and famous mosaic pavement of Copacabana, stopping for an expensive caipirinha by the pool of the exclusive Copacabana Palace Hotel!
Marcio left early Tuesday morning so from then on I was on my own. I have successfully managed to navigate myself around Rio´s metro, buses and vans without problems and am beginning to feel quite settled here! I´ve met Norma for lunch and after work a couple of times and grown fond of the crazy lady outside the station who has a cat on a lead! Felipe was an excellent guide for an afternoon and made me try caçu juice made from the fruit of a cashew nut, as well as showing me how to cook black beans! I´ve been sunbathing on Ipanema beach and ate in the Garota de Ipanema where Jobim and Moraes wrote ´The Girl from Ipanema´ song. I took a cable car up to Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) and watched the sunset with incredible views over the city - as most of you know (some more than others!) that´s my favourite time of day!
I´ve also been picking up some of the language and a taxi driver told me today that I spoke good Portuguese (!) although I´m not sure smiling, nodding and saying ´si´ a lot can be classed as good Portuguese! However, Guarana is my new favourite drink so maybe I can pass as a carioca after all...
Next stop, Ilha Grande for some island fun!
Tchau for now xx
- comments
Jodi That sounds fantastic, Vicky! I'm glad you're having such a brilliant time. Rio sounds like so much fun.
Daisy Ahhhhh, sounds really really prefect! You'll be fluent soon enough too, you'll have to teach me when you get back :) xxxx
Daisy Prefect? Perfect!
Christine Davis hi vicky wonderful to read of your travels on a mundane Friday morning.What are we doing in W.H. when theres places like Brazil to explore. luv Chrissy D
Lizzy Oh Vicky, it sounds fabulous! I'm so proud of you fitting right in with the cariocas. Your blog is fabulous, feels like I'm on top of sugar loaf mountain with you and not sitting at my desk in London :o( Keep up the good work! x x x
Matt Did you manage to meet up with Rodrigo? Glad your having fun,,! If you keep writing in this much depth I won't need to see you when you return to hear your stories :-) Copacabana Palace is pretty cool yer?.... That's we're we stay when traveling with work. Stay safe (wink wink) Love xxx
Kate WOW!! Vicky I'm sooooo jealous and what you write brings back happy memories. Enjoy Isla Grande. Besos de Cai
Clare Hi Vicky Glad you're having a fantastic time and what a great description of Rio - I'd better take tips! We're leaving Tortuguero today having successfully seen turtles laying eggs last night and heading to Puerto Viejo, where I'll check out the places you recommended. I've heard that Rockin Js is a fun place to go - did you go there, it sounds like your kind of thing?! Clare.x
Jen Rulon Sounds awesome! I'm so happy for you (while also extremely jealous!!!)
Mike H Sounds a fab place to visit. Maybe i'll reconsider another trekking holiday. Have fun, play safe! Big hug - Mike x
Lucy All sounds amazing! glad your enjoying it so much! have a caipirinhase in celebration of my b.day!!!! and keep loving every minute. be safe my lovely, big kisses Lucy Rob & Ellie xxxxxxxxxxxx