Blogs from Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America - page 10

Hey everyone, The first couple of days in Rio were exciting to say the least. Well my flight to Rio was an extremely long flight. I think it worked out to be 11 hours. Altogether I was travelling a solid 24 hours between Dublin to London and then on to Rio. As I arrived I got to immigration and there was queue to go through. Of course for some bizarre reason I was the only one picked out of the queue and I was escorted into a back room. I was quite nervous now at this stage. I thought someone may have put some drugs in my bag or something llike that. I felt I was on "Banged up Abroad". Nuts! Anyway the authorities were questioning me about my travel plans and I told them. It ... read more

Woke up this morning feeling a bit groggy after the few drinks last night. I don’t think the shoe shine guy would have got away to easily this morning! We had our usual breakfast of bread rolls, cheese and fruit and then relaxed a little around the hostel. The longer you stay in these places the more homely they become and when you see new faces you welcome them and chat for awhile. I met a sound guy from Uruguay who told me that the Uruguayans look at the Irish and feel as that they are a similar sized nation surrounded by larger more dominant countries we have something in common. We spoke through Spanglish (a hybrid of Spanish and English) about both of our countries. He had all his facts right about Ireland except, that ... read more

So the story goes….. I had to leave the hostel in search of a working ATM. The HSBC one around the corner was only giving out two’s and five’s and since in needed about 1000 Brazilian reals, getting them in those denominations was not going to work. Off I soldiered through Ipanema for an ATM and ended up having to walk very far to get one. I didn’t mind that much as it was a wonderful morning and it wasn’t too hot. On the way back to the hostel as I passed under some tree’s I had the misfortune of a bird going to the toilet on my sandals. I thought not so bad, at least it wasn’t on my hair or clothes. I crossed the street like some weirdo flicking my foot continuously like I ... read more

So after a fab 24hrs on a bus, yes that was 24hrs, and having the rudest Brazilian man sitting next to me we arrive in Rio (20/02)!!!! I am still not sure how but all 5 of us get into a taxi with all our luggage and head to the hostel.......sorry I mean hovel.......OK I know when I booked it I did not expect the Ritz it was only a tenner a night over carnival period but serioulsy this was just a doss house!!! So our 4 bed dorm was basically a floor over the common area that you just about fitted 4 matresses, sorry 3 and a piece of foam in it.........no rooom for luggage or anything........oh and the best part we don´t have a door we have a curtain that went all the way ... read more

We’ve arrived, and in true Brit fashion we managed to burn ourselves on the first day! Whoop! My feet are now blistering and Steve’s back is looking nasty! But we’ve had an amazing couple of days (well apart from today but more of that in a bit). Steve is sat in a hammock opposite me at the mo, drinking beer! Sorry, it’s true! We arrived to boiling heat, it’s been in the low 30’s every day and coming from Plymouth it’s taking some getting used to. Our Hostel is really nice, one block from Ipanema beach!! And thank god not everyone looks like Gisele - in fact the whole thong bikini thing is fascinating - I just can’t stop starring - people that would shop in Evans in the UK in thongs! I love it - ... read more