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Published: August 31st 2014
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Finally me and the man, Adam, got a trip together which took us back to the place where we met last year - Rio De Janerio! We went out for some drinks to the beach shack once we got there that night. It had been 30degrees and sunny on this day, so could still feel the heat when we got there about 9pm. However the next two days for us were forecast to be only 20degrees and raining. At the shack I had the usual - caprihana's and the guys who work there had on the tunes for us. Then myself, Adam and few others on the crew went back to hotel for more drinks in our room. Was a good laugh.
Woke in the morning hopeful that the sun would be out but the weatherman for once was right! Such a shame. Although didn't stop us still venturing out. Went for our free buffet breakfast in the morning and contemplated what to do for the day. I had heard there was a rainforest nearby, however the concierge staff at the hotel explained that this is a guided tour. So he advised going to the Botanical Gardens - Jardim Botanico,
which was easy to get to on the bus and near the rainforest. So me, Adam and a couple of the girls from the crew went with this idea. Picked up our ponchos from hotel and headed off. The weather was actually ok, just cloudy and some light rain. The Jardim Botanico is in an central area in Leblon and just up from Ipanema Beach. On the way in we saw some turtles in a little pond. Makes it so much better when can see some wildlife. Paid the entry fee of 6reals which is than £2. We made some friends at the entrance who were school children. They came up to say 'hello' and one girl had a Justin Beiber badge on and was pointing to it obviously knowing that we would recognise him. I started singing a well know Bieber song which they all joined in and sang along to. Was hilarious. They were so excited to see and speak with us. From experience in Rio, English doesn't seem to be often spoken which is something I really like as it can encourage you then to learn their language. We are so lucky that almost everywhere we go
in the world people will speak English but it makes us so reliant and lazy towards learning of a new language. So I think these children were just so excited to meet English people as it meant that they could practice a little. Although we felt so bad at not knowing any Portuguese. The four of us had a wander around the gardens. Was really nice and had lovely surroundings with the mountains. We also got to see monkeys! They were amazing! They were swinging about and eating a fruit from the trees. Wanted to take one home. Eventually had to put on the ponchos as the rain got heavier. We stayed here for couple hours. Kept bumping in the school kids who honestly were just so friendly. They asked for pictures with us, and I got one with them too. We were going to go down to Ipanema Beach after here but the rain was getting worse so just headed on the bus back. The route the bus goes past one of the favelas in the city. Have seen it a couple times when been on the bus here but each time still does shock me. The houses literally
go so high up the mountain, and just is such a reality check. Also on the bus they have a conductor who sits at the front near the driver and you pay the fare to them. So different to back home where there is literally no interaction required on public transport anymore. Prefer the Rio way, and instead of a pushing a 'stop' button when you want to get off at the next stop there is a blue rope that you tug and it rings a bell. Very old school, love it. Back to hotel, dried off and ready for dinner. Had a drink in the bar first then we all went for dinner nearby to Balada restaurant again and back to beach shack afterwards. Ended up being just me and Adam, loving being away together. Wish it could be more often. The weather the next day again didn't start off too bad. Breakfast, then I had to do my ALS ice bucket challenge. The hotel staff at the pool were doing them for people at 11am, so there was no getting out of it. Me and Adam then just went over to the beach for some bat and ball.
Literally after five minutes of being there the rain got torrential! Was insane, love proper rain like this. Such a tropical climate in Brazil. There were people hiding under any shelter they could. We got ponchos on again which didn't really do much. Went to the local bakery for pastries and Acai de copo. Managed to convert Adam into loving this drink. Just went back to the room after this and chilled for a couple hours. The rain seemed to pass by then and we went back to Balada for lunch. Had the most delicious sandwich ever - smoked salmon, mozzarella, tomato and pesto. Hungry just thinking about it! There was a little bird that kept coming to us and was perched on the table next to ours. I asked the waiter if it was ok to feed the birds and he came over and started it for us. He took one of Adams left over chips, placed it in his hands and the bird came right up to him and took it. We then did the same. Never known a bird to get so close. Been a right old nature and animal filled couple days with turtels, monkeys and
feeding birds! It was then time to get ready for going back home that night. We were gutted that the sun was non existent for the two days we were here but at least we were together and still managed to have a great time in the rain!
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