Brazil - Rio de Janeiro 4th - 11th March

Rio de Janeiro

We arrived in Rio after a 24 hour bus journey, we were feeling tired and nauseous after having to endure a blocked toilet for an entire trip but also excited with anticipation. The bus station was buzzing with people from all around the world who had descended on the city to join in the revelry of the carnival. After an hour of queuing for a taxi we arrived in Ipanema where we were staying for the week. Ipanema is a wealthy and European looking part of Rio, very different from the slums or favelas which also make up a large part of the city. I was shocked to see such a difference among the rich and the poor, especially for a country which has reputedly one of the best economies in the world. Lucy, Jody and Becky, trainbound for Christ As we were meeting our friends Becky and Jody the following morning we decided to head out to get something to eat. We found a lovely traditional Brazilian restaurant and had a delicious meal which consisted of salted beef, puree pumpkin and a mixture of both black beans in a sumptuous sauce and mashed with manioc flour. With our bellies full we headed back out into the night and came across a huge gathering of people in a nearby Plaza dancing to samba music. This was a blocca, which is basically big outdoor party with music and drink and were a constant theme over the next few days...we ordered two Caiprinhas and joined in the merriment! A giant, foggy Christ disappoints It was fantastic seeing our friends and catching up on all the news back home. We spent the rest of the week with them enjoying the bloccas and going to all the tourist spots. Despite the very changeable weather we managed to see the Sugar Loaf Mountain, the beautiful beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and also the famous statue of Christ perched high up on the side of a mountain...although it was very cloudy. However, the highlight of Rio for the both of us was by far the Samba parade at the Sambadrome. It was an explosion of colours and sounds, the costumes and floats were amazing both for visual effect and the technicalities of making them. This is dressing down in Rio Teaching how to smuggle budgies starts young It was sad saying goodbye to our friends at the end of the week after an unforgettable time together. Overall the carnival at Rio was crazy and intense but so much fun, and we had a amazing time, especially Rich who celebrated his 40th birthday there.