My Trip to Rio De Janeiro

Friday, May 9
The eight hour overnight plane ride from Miami, Fl to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil felt longer than I thought it would and sitting next to a deportee did not make it any more comfortable.

After we arrived, the trip to the hotel was expensive but easy. The cab driver was our first Brazilian friend; with limited English he tried to be our tour guide. After an hour ride we made it to our hotel in Arpoador and met our second friend, the knowledgeable concierge. After unpacking and a quick nap we headed out to Copacabana. A walk down the beach to find an ATM turned into our first activity. We walked, laid on the beach until the wind kicked us out, and went through the city to finally find the ATM. During our excursion we found beautiful hills (one we trekked up), fresh coconut juice, amazing mango juice and another friend (the locals are friendly here).

We came back to the hotel to change and head out to Impenema. Impenema is 5th Avenue mixed with old world charm and it is stunning. We ate at a swanky place called Bazaar. We enjoyed filet mignon and namorado (a type of perch) and a delicious cheap bottle of wine.

Saturday, May 10
This morning we enjoyed the continental breakfast of croissants, papaya, and mango juice that is typically of Brazilian hotels. We decided to head to the fair out in greater rio. On the walk to the metro we found a small market- I got great shoes. The metro ride was easy and actually clean. We got off at the right stop but had to find our way from there. We met two Scottish girls in the same predicament and together we made a confused foursome. The locals, always willing to help but never able to speak our language, pointed extra hard and through a park and a favela, small neighborhood, we found out way. The market was in what looked like an old soccer stadium (excuse me, football). It was huge and bazaar. We paid $1 R ($.60) to enter and walk around the maze. CD store, candy shop, samba dancer, singer and butcher were just the first row. We ate carne (not sure from which animal), rice and beans, got a sugary coconut dessert and left.

We decided to go to the city center to see a little more Rio. We got off at the central metro stop and walked around the block before realizing we were not in the city center and were, instead, off the map. We did see highly guarded government buildings, a local market (this one not for tourists) and a small park.

After a metro ride and short walk we arrived at Lapa. There was a beautiful park and, while searching for a bar, we found an eleven-story flight of mosaic stairs. After a photo shoot we settled at the bar with the most rowdy people. We drank sangria and watched the festivities from a far. Our sore feet were glad for the cab ride home.

After a short rest we headed towards Impanema. We found a cute bar/par/live music venue. We ate a Brazilian sandwich and watched our second birthday party of the day. This time we cut out the drinks and opted for dessert.

Sunday, May 11
We left our nice hotel for a spacious but unwelcoming hotel a bit north in Copacabana. After a cab ride there and quickly settling in, we made the walk to Impenama for the weekend market. Our first stop was tasting carura, a Brazilian dish of sweet bread, okra, and prawns. Then a walk around the market and I was taken like a tourist. After buying lots of gifts and unnecessary things for me we made our way to the picturesque Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. We walked around the lake a bit before settling on a dock. After resting, we headed to an Amazonian style restaurant on the lake for pina coladas.

Monday, May 12
After a frantic search for a bank and a grocery store we made the trip (by metro and bus) to Floresta de Tiujca in Parque Nacional, the rainforest. It was beautiful. We hiked for a bit to the first waterfall and enjoyed the view as we continued the walk we were stopped by a park guard who spoke little English. He wanted to take us to another waterfall so we followed him and his friend up a steep mountain to the slippery falls. After a photo opportunity with the falls we made our way out of the park and back to the hotel. The trip home was not as easy as the trip there. The rainforest was a top of a steep mountain and the busses drove as fast as they could down windy roads. I was standing, or trying to, during this fun.

After a good nap we took the bus to Impanema. We walked around and found a yogaberry (Rio's version of pinkberry) but with fruit from the rainforest.

Tuesday, May 13
Today, on a perfectly clear day, we headed to sugarloaf. After arriving at the bottom of the mountain amongst all the other tourists we took the cable car to the first stop. Morro da urca had a beautiful view and a gorgeous bamboo forest. The second cable car took us to the peak of pao de acucar for exquisite unbelievable views of the city, beach, and ocean. On our way back down sugarloaf, as we set on a bench to enjoy the view, we were attacked by Brazilian children who wanted our pictures and autographs.

Off the mountain we stopped at a juice bar for our daily mango juice and hot ham sandwich. Then we headed to Santa Teresa to explore. We happened upon a beautiful church with floor to ceiling stained glass windows. We stopped home for a nap and then we went to Impanema for all-you-can-eat sushi- well worth the 49R ($30).

Wednesday, May 14
We woke up early today to go hand gliding. Before the driver came to pick us up we wandered through a food market in a nearby park. The fruits and vegetables are beautiful here; it reminds me of Kenya. As we drove up the steep mountain, I nearly peed my harness at the thought of running of a mountain 1700 feet high. I ran off the edge tandem to my instructor and enjoyed a 25 minute glide down to pepino beach. We went slowly down in circles and I just laid on my stomach and enjoyed the view. I landed on the beach without even throwing up. Afterwards we headed to Cristo Redentor.

We took a tram up the mountain through the forest to the top of the Mountain Corcovado. Cristo, at 38 meters high, loomed over. We walked around the top of the mountain, enjoyed the views, got fun pictures, and headed back to the hostel.

After a nap we headed to Leblon for dinner. In Leblon, we finally found the area where all the beautiful girls played.

Thursday, May 15
Today we headed to the island Niteroi. A 30 minute ferry ride got us there and then a 30 minute stroll got us to the museo do arte contemprane, designed by Oscar Niemeyer. We had lunch in the basement of the stunning building and then went upstairs for the museum. We then strolled back to the fairy and back to centro Rio. We walked around through two cultural centers and a market before heading back to Copacabana.

Tonight we tried caparinahs and loved them. The sugary lime flavor masked the strong rum in the drink.

Friday, May 16
Today we woke up with, for the first time, nothing on our schedule. It was nice out so we laid on the beach in Impanema until lunch. We hunted down yogaberry and enjoyed. Then we grabbed sandwiches and walked to the lake. We laid on a dock until it got cloudy and headed to a café for coffee. We shopped in Impanema.

After a quick stop at our hostel we went back out and back to all-you-can-eat sushi. We tried caprinah vodkas with kiwi but they weren't as good, mostly because they were 90% vodka. After dinner we headed home. It was our last time through the park with making out couples, old men chess games and pick-up soccer in the basketball courts and wherever they could find a free corner. Chow Brazil.