Blogs from Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America

Puisqu'en trois mois nous avons bouclé les questions de revenus (boulot), logement et transport (voiture), Carlos a activé son mode anti-procrastination et a décidé que malgré notre faible réseau et notre capital inexistant, le moment était venu pour nous de commencer un projet culinaire pour mettre un pied dans le milieu de la gastronomie carioca. Ainsi nait Cozinha pour tous.... Cozinha voulant dire ''cuisine'' je vous laisse deviner le concept : Face à l'envolée des prix des bars/restaurants à Rio et profitant de la vague Masterchef qui est arrivée l'an dernier au Brésil, attisant (comme elle la fait en France) la volonté des particuliers de bien manger, Cozinha pour tous propose des menus dégustations de 3 à 5 plats (boissons incluses) en petit comité (15 personnes max) à un prix accessible. Je vous laisse découvrir les ... read more

Back again to my absolute favourite place for a trip! Just love everything about this place, restores the faith! Got to hotel about 9pm on the first night and just hit the local beach hut for a few caprihana nightcaps. Couple of the girls hadn't been here before so they got introduced to the drink. It is absolutely lethal as just pure alcohol, delicious! I only had three of the caprihana's and the head was bit tender next morning! We get free breakfast now at hotel, so that sorted me out. It's a buffet breakfast, think managed about three plates of food! Love free grub! Should keep me going until dinner. The day was spent bronzing on the beach and did some bodyboarding too. Waves were wild. Got some of the Acai drink from a beach ... read more

We received a warm welcome upon arrival to Rio de Janeiro. Erika, an amiga from my Barcelona days, came to pick us up and drove us back to her mom´s apartment, where she set us up in her own room while she would sleep in her sister´s room. Her mom fixed us some leftover dinner of frutas del mar and rice, and we were told to make ourselves at home and help ourselves to anything in the fridge. Amazing hospitality, and we thanked them profusely. The next morning we were up by 7, and out the door by 8 to drive to a small locals beach down the coast 45 minutes. But as it was Carnaval and the majority of people were on vacation from work, the normally exclusive local surfer beach was packed with people ... read more

Ola amigos, Vandaag ben ik er eindelijk even voor gaan zitten om jullie een beetje op de hoogte brengen met een kort verslagje over onze avonturen tot zover. We zijn begin december vertrokken richting Sao Paulo met 90 kilo bagage! We hebben daar eerst een procedure voor een sofi nummer in gang gezet, dit nr. hebben we nodig om een auto te mogen kopen. Hier zijn we 4 dagen mee bezig geweest. Omdat we een maand moesten wachten op het officiële nummer hebben we deze maand gebruikt om naar de Galapagos eilanden te gaan. We vlogen via Lima en Quito. In Quito zijn we twee dagen gebleven in het oude stadscentrum. Dat was erg leuk en lekker koel, het ligt op 2500 meter middenin het Andes gebergte. De (oude)stad is heel authentiek met al die indianen ... read more

Jeremiah and I took a Jeep tour through the largest favela in Rio. These shanti towns are completely self-sustaining aside from government trash and sewage services. The drug lords live at the top and control the entire community. They are seen more as businessmen than criminals and have far more respect from the people than the local police. The tour is completely safe and sanctioned by the drug lords so that tourists can see the truth about this way of life. They want outsiders to know that their conditions are very bad, but that the people are vibrant and retain dignity despite being ignored and shoved under the rug by the government. These towns are erected by the people in any space available and the electricity is cyphoned from surrounding businesses and communities. This favela houses ... read more