Saturday, December 18, 2010

Rio de Janeiro, Days 1 - 4

At the Copa, Copacabana

They really do know how to live down in Rio.  A quick stroll to the beach (of which they have ten stunners to choose from) followed by a day of frollicking and lounging in the sun.  Combined with a choice of coco, caiparinha or beer and watching the sunset over the ocean, it is a good life.

Of course, we Brits also know how to live life.  I spent my days at the beach covering myself with factor 50, griping about the blisters my flip-flops were giving me and stopping my hat from blowing away!

Rio is nown as the `Cidade Marvellhosa`, a title it certainly deserves.  I have mentioned the beaches, but there is so much more.  Pau do AcucarSugarloaf mountain is a main tourist draw but is impressive.  Almost Alpine style cable car ascent sent my mind back to various snow-capped mountains and valleys.  Santa Teresa gives the  town a quaint colonial feel with French influences, now inhabited by the local artistic community.  Lapa is the party quarter - a Friday night here entails sipping caiparinhas and dancing samba on the streets.  Then there is Ipanema, the bohemian area.  Requires more than a bohemian budget.

Pictures shall follow if I ever get time!

Ash.

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