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Published: October 12th 2009
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Hey again, Mike here, retrieved luggage and all-
Today Jess and I took a great 7km bike ride around the lake in Rio. We have been staying at a nice hostel called The Girl from Ipanema Hostel; about three blocks from the beach. We arrived back in Rio from our ´honeymoon´stay in Ilha Grande last Wednesday night. It was a relaxing start to our trip. We spent most of the time on the beach, in the water and hiking through the steamy jungle. The weather was great the first few days and turned ugly the day of our snorkeling trip-bummer.
The good weather has returned and we went to the beach yesterday for the majority of the day. Everyone at the hostel has been waiting for a clear day to take advantage of Rio´s famous beaches. We have met a couple from New Zealand and an English gal who have been great to hang out with. I am pretty sure this guy, Sam, and I were separated at birth. We had bought a paddle ball set the other day that has made for a really good time chilling on the beach. Brazilians are super intense in their playing style;
they pretty much just smash the ball at each other but they can rally for ten minutes doing this. Pretty impressive. We have become pretty decent ourselves though. Sam and I played paddle ball and body surfed (rocked a sweet mid-wave hi-five on our last wave (super awesome, cheesy and classic at the same time) while Jess and Sam´s fiancee, Rebecca, or Becs, tanned and bought Brazilian style bikinis from beach vendors. Ipanema is an unbelievable beach; everyone is so relaxed, drinking coconuts, beers or caipirinhas (famous Brazilian cocktail of Cachaca, limes and sugar), wearing itty bitty bikinis and speedos, and lounging in chairs, soaking up the sun. We bought mini pineapples off of a guy who carried a giant basket of them on his head while he performed a hilariously awesome show as he carved them, throwing the peels in the air and landing them in the basket at a rapid rate. The setting is incredible; the nearby hills tower over the city, shooting out of the sea. Massive rocks covered with jungles and favelas. Beautiful stuff.
Before I forget, I must catch us up to speed on one of our incredible adventures upon arriving back in Rio
(we did get some sun for this experience as well). The second day we returned from the island Jess and I did what I thought I would never do. We took a jeep to the top of this a peak in Tijuca Forest above Rio and sprinted off a deck-like structure, hurling ourselves into the sky on a tandem hang-glider. It was incredible. Of course it was not just the two of us hanging there in tandem but professionals (thank the Lord). It was out of control. Jess went first. I filmed as she ran and leaped off the cliff side with a total stranger. She was so brave...more so than me usually! As I was strapped into my harness, my pilot told me that if I stopped running before we reach the edge of the dock that I would pretty much be responsible for killing us both. Great thing to hear before leaping into the bright blue sky. We soared for about 10 minutes but it seemed like longer. We flew over the jungle towards the ocean. We soon were flying high over traffic and hotel rooftops. We were then spiraling over the beach and ocean before making a
very fast landing on the beach. Jess watched as my legs trailed a good three feet longer than my pilots. I am sure we looked like a wild Pterodactyl. I was supposed to keep my feet up upon landing but as we we came screaming in, my legs were so much longer than his that they kept nicking the sand on the approach. Classic view for Jess I am sure. It was well worth the money and I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to experience this adrenaline rush. AWESOME.
After several late nights on the Rio scene, a rousing futbol game at Maracana stadium, ample beach time and trips to renouned sites, we are almost ready to leave this wonderful city. We embark on a 24 hour bus ride to Iguazu Falls tomorrow morning...can´t wait. Hope you are all well. Take care,
Mike and Jess
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Ali
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AWESOME!
Friggin sweet you guys! I'm so glad you're having a blast and Mike, this picture of you with the hang gliding instructor is epoch! I loved Brazil and would totally live there in a heart beat if I could only adequately squeeze myself into a brazilian bikini, well done Jess! Ok, before you leave, make sure you get at least one pair of Capoeira pants, not only are they badass, but they come in handy when you're martial arts style fighting to berimbau music. I love you both, keep rockin it and enjoy every second!!