Blogs from Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America
November 19th 2009
Rudi and I have had the most wonderful honeymoon with a magical ending in Buzios. Yesterday after walking to several of Buzios' beaches, Rudi and I settled on a quiet beach near our hotel and stayed there to enjoy the beautiful sunset at around 7pm. The water really is quite beautiful and refreshiing and it was fun enjoying it together. After getting freshened up and ready for dinner we decided to go across the street from our hotel to a sushi reestaurant ... I wasn't really keen on having sushi, but the Lonely Planet book recommended it so we gave it a try. We were both glad we did! The name of the restaurant was Sushi Jardin and the food was excellent - next to the Rodissiro (sp?), it was the best meal we´ve had since ... read more
The end of the beginning
Published: November 19th 2009South America » Brazil » Rio de Janeiro » BúziosNovember 19th 2009
Well this really is the end of a wonderful beginning to our married life together. Rudi and I spent the morning walking around downtown and trying to figure out the mystery of why only half the stores were open. We managed to learn that this upcoming weekend is a long one for Brazil and many stores were either closed or didn't open until 1:30p!! Crazy!! Thankfully our favourite treat place was open and we indulged in (healthy) açai frozen yumminess. The afternoon was spent on the beach, in the water and an intense game of crazy eights :) We have just enjoyed the sunset on our honeymoon and our last Brazilian dinner. We are being picked up tomorrow morning at 8am (oh yes, another GAP "adventure" getting that sorted out but at least we will be ... read more
November 18th 2009
First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!! I hope you have a great birthday today and I will be thinking of you! Rudi and I spent the entire day yesterday on SEVERAL of the beaches here in Buzios. The water here is GORGEOUS and transparent!! The sun is incredibly hot so the cool water is very refreshing. The first beach was called Ferradura Beach and is one of the most popular beaches because of how beautiul it is. Thee white sand with the blue water makes this bay picture perfect. Too bad we didn't have any memory on our camera!!!!!!!!!! We spent the day at this popular beach and didn't take ONE picture. After walking into town and trying (successfully, thank god, but it wasn't easy) to ask where we could buy another memory card we vowed ... read more
November 16th 2009
As sad as it was, our tour ended yesterday. We had a lovely time going up to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain with the other honeymooning couple and then followed that up with a nice farewell dinner on the Copacabana beach in Rio with both of the other English couples and our very nice tour guide, Lucio. Of course, Amy and I did not want the trip to end on that date and, when we booked the trip, we also booked an addition called the "Buzios Experience". Unfortunately, the voucher we received from Gap only stated that we would be picked up at the airport (huh?) and had no time listed. Thus, Amy and I tried calling the emergency Gap number on Saturday and then again all day yesterday... we even asked our tour guide ... read more
Buzios; 'got more beaches than Jamaicas got mangoes'
Published: September 21st 2009South America » Brazil » Rio de Janeiro » Búzios
August 30th 2009
Title based on the track ´shake your rump´ by The Beastie Boys A bumpy start to our Buzios adventure Stepping off the bus after a 4hr journey from Rio to Buzios we were more than ready to find our lodging which we had previously booked online, allegedly situated near a surf beach, grab a shower and get settled in. Flagging down a local van (a more regular and cheaper form of transport than bus) we set out in search of the then unbeknown to us elusive place of lodging. It turned out the current resident had been left with a mobile number for us to call when we arrived, at this stage we were both getting a little worried as the gentlemen currently residing in the house was apparently paid up for the next month... After ... read more
Argentina, brasilien, og alfa-hanner
Published: August 19th 2009South America » Brazil » Rio de Janeiro » Búzios
August 19th 2009
ja, de gaar sku for lang tid imellem hver blog..men saadan er det vel at vaere i en uendelig stroem af oplevelser, og busture- man har simpelthen ikke tid. Na men hvor kom vi fra. jo- vi tog som sagt fra Bolivia til Argentina, med tog. Toget selv va en meget prsitiv oplevelse, og vi ankom som nogenlunde planlagt til graense byen Vilazon tidligt om morgenen. Paa stationen vrimlede det med bus-turs saelgere. og vi faldt for en rar mand, der lovede os en direkte bus til Iguazu (den anden side af Argentina, ca 30 timer i bus). Vi fulgte med manden hen til busselskabets kontor, hvor det viste sig at der slet ikke var nogen direkte bus, men at turen indebar et skift, hvor man skulle vente en time, og busbilletten kostende 110 $ (men ... read more
June 30th 2009
Somewhere In Between Latin America is a 2nd/3rd world continent. False. PARTS of Latin America are 3rd world. Absolutely, undeniably true. But strange that other parts are very 1st world. No one would deny that the Hotel in Buzios, Brazil was first class: pool, sauna, the functioning plumbing and everything. Modern high-rises in Rio de Janeiro, and the Copacabana Palace with prices my fat American wallet couldn’t dream of affording. And all of this is in stark contrast to the Favellas not a mile away. Even better, driving to our boat tour of the Buzios beaches in a Mercedes van, next to a vegetable cart being pulled by a donkey. These are the things I will remember, specifically about Brazil, but also about Latin America in general. Argentina has its fair share of contrasts: clean, bright-eyed ... read more
June 19th 2009
Before we left someone told me that the trip is as much about the people we meet as the places we see, so as we awoke this morning to the sound of norwegian chatter, I spared a thought for the poor Amercian kid who didnt get so much as a goodnight kiss last night from the leggy blonde he had spent the previous 4 hours chugging beer to impress. Although given that his opening line was 'so Norway, that's the one that's not in Scandinavia right?', it was probably always going to be an uphill struggle! As I drifted off to sleep last night, listening to the lilting waves crashing on the shoreline, aware of the repetitive hum coming from two beds over that would probably escalate into a deep snore, I (and indeed the entire ... read more
June 17th 2009
Philippe went on top on Monday night, and I took over last night. You can feel every movement down below and with so many people watching you it can freak you out. Welcome to the world of triple bunkbeds and shared dormitories! We decided to stay in Rio for one extra day and to continue our downgrading from luxury to budget we moved into the shared dormitory. It's not so bad, particularly as there are lockers where you can store your entire backpack. We knew we wanted to go to see Christ the Redeemer, but decided to shun the tour guides and go it alone. We tracked down the local bus number to take us to the train station, paid our R$2.20 each and had an impromptu tour of the back streets of Rio. The bus ... read more
June 2nd 2009
Hi all, Last couple of days have been pretty hectic. We spent Sunday morning at Ipanma market, which was really cultural. The market was held in a park fairly close to the beach. The outside of the park was devoted to 200 to 300 stalls selling lots of bits and bobs. The centre of the park wasdevoted to artwork. All of the artwork was so expressive, whether it was landscape artwork or modern. I particularly likedone artists take on the favelas: really bright, bold and colourful. PS I tried to find some cool Brazilian fabric for you, mum, but it was all quite bland. I will keep looking. It was gorgeous weather so five of us including davids cousin went to ipanema beach for a few hours. The swell was great, probs about 3 to 4 ... read more
