And then there was Rio (almost back on track)
WOW! How do I begin to explain the excitment & energy of one of the most famous cities in the world during Carnaval, one of the biggest festivals in the world.....
The city has been smoking, street parties every night, samba performances left, right & center, live music everywhere you look and thousands and thousands of people having a damn good time!
From Ilha Grande we took a boat/bus combo to Baron Gardens, our accomodation for the week situated in between the most famous beach in the world, Copacabana and downtown perched on top of a hill with a beautiful view of the city and water. Thursday night we were pretty exhausted so we cooked up a feast, hung by the pool, had a few beverages and relaxed before the biggest party on earth was about to kick off.
Friday was off to check the beaches, first Copacabana
and the much more layed back (well I don't know whether layed back is the right term considering there are still thousands of people and beach venders walking around selling anything under the sun from bikins, to beer, to umbrellas, to roasted cheese sticks - actually roasted right in front of you in mini, portable BBQ's, the list is endless) and cleaner Ipanema.
The evening saw a group of us heading for a Bloco (street party) in Santa Theresa, followed by a massive party near by and another Bloco on the way home in Lapa.
Some saw heads barely left the poolside the following day whilst a group of us ventured out to Maracana, the biggest soccer stadium in the world (130,000) to see the 2 biggest teams in Rio, Flamengo & Botafogo, clash. We found ourselves seated with the Flamengo Fans, which basically dictated who we would be supporting. The sound of the the thousands of fans cheering, singing and drumming certainly gets you pumped and the quality of the soccer being played matched the quality of the fan squad.
Sunday saw more beach action followed by the Samba Parade at the Sambadrome. I know that this thing is covered on teli but the real thing in your face was just spectacular, amazing...........
Monday saw us recovering and taking it easy with a movie and some nice dinner down in Ipanema and checked out the local Bloco. Whilst on Tuesday we ventured up the Sugar Loaf to get some amazing views of the city in all its glory. We were going to head up the other mountain to see Christ the Redeemer, but he was clouded in. I'm glad he was though, the views from the Sugar Loaf were amazing.
A night out in Ipanema with the gang from the hostel saw things get a little messy and out of control!
Yesterday was slightly quiter (sort of) with lunch with a group of guys we meet in Iguazu, followed by some more soccer madness and dinner & drinks on the foreshore. When does this city sleep! The plan is a little more beach today and off off and away again tomorrow further north for more beach and jungle action. It's gonna be hard heading off again, after spending more than a week here we have really started to relax and take it easy, but you know someone's got to do it and it may was well be us!
The city has been smoking, street parties every night, samba performances left, right & center, live music everywhere you look and thousands and thousands of people having a damn good time!
From Ilha Grande we took a boat/bus combo to Baron Gardens, our accomodation for the week situated in between the most famous beach in the world, Copacabana and downtown perched on top of a hill with a beautiful view of the city and water. Thursday night we were pretty exhausted so we cooked up a feast, hung by the pool, had a few beverages and relaxed before the biggest party on earth was about to kick off.
Friday was off to check the beaches, first Copacabana
and the much more layed back (well I don't know whether layed back is the right term considering there are still thousands of people and beach venders walking around selling anything under the sun from bikins, to beer, to umbrellas, to roasted cheese sticks - actually roasted right in front of you in mini, portable BBQ's, the list is endless) and cleaner Ipanema.
The evening saw a group of us heading for a Bloco (street party) in Santa Theresa, followed by a massive party near by and another Bloco on the way home in Lapa.
Some saw heads barely left the poolside the following day whilst a group of us ventured out to Maracana, the biggest soccer stadium in the world (130,000) to see the 2 biggest teams in Rio, Flamengo & Botafogo, clash. We found ourselves seated with the Flamengo Fans, which basically dictated who we would be supporting. The sound of the the thousands of fans cheering, singing and drumming certainly gets you pumped and the quality of the soccer being played matched the quality of the fan squad.
Sunday saw more beach action followed by the Samba Parade at the Sambadrome. I know that this thing is covered on teli but the real thing in your face was just spectacular, amazing...........
Monday saw us recovering and taking it easy with a movie and some nice dinner down in Ipanema and checked out the local Bloco. Whilst on Tuesday we ventured up the Sugar Loaf to get some amazing views of the city in all its glory. We were going to head up the other mountain to see Christ the Redeemer, but he was clouded in. I'm glad he was though, the views from the Sugar Loaf were amazing.
A night out in Ipanema with the gang from the hostel saw things get a little messy and out of control!
Yesterday was slightly quiter (sort of) with lunch with a group of guys we meet in Iguazu, followed by some more soccer madness and dinner & drinks on the foreshore. When does this city sleep! The plan is a little more beach today and off off and away again tomorrow further north for more beach and jungle action. It's gonna be hard heading off again, after spending more than a week here we have really started to relax and take it easy, but you know someone's got to do it and it may was well be us!
posted by Sanchez at 1:35 AM
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