Blogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America - page 236

- Food: The loveliest salads, lots of beans, fruit heaven, sucos (drinks made of fruit - a lot of fruits unavailable anywhere except Brazil), açai which is a strange drink made from the Amazonian fruit and lots of syrupy stuff - VERY sweet and is supposed to be a big energy booster (not surprised with all that sugar), caipirinha (sold everywhere - cachaça which is a sugar cane rum, lime and sugar) - Area: Very big city. Christ the Redeemer seen from most points. Didn´t feel 100% safe. Ipanema beach nicer than Copacabana but FULL of sellers selling everything. Very strong sea currents. Something about Rio didn´t feel right for me but don´t know what. - People: Friendly, laid back, beautiful and they know it! Very confident with their bodies whatever their shape and size (mostly ... read more

I took a seat and tried to take it all in. I was in Rio, but it felt like I was on another planet. I looked around me. These were some of the most beautiful girls I'd ever seen. The music played and I tried to collect my thoughts. At once I caught a smile from across the room. Our eyes locked. She had dark eyes and long blond hair. But it was something else that caught my attention. The way she moved her hips seemed so natural. This was the way a body was supposed to move. The way that Brazilians seem to know instinctively. One subtle motion from her and I knew what I had to do. I stood up and walked across the bar room floor. I stepped out of my normal life ... read more

28 March 2005 : Rio to Ilha Grande First we have terminal problems with the camera, not the best day for it to happen. Given we are going to a beautiful island we need another camera fast. I had breakfast and went to find one in Botafogo. I tried Casa & Video but they were not yet open. We need cash so I tried Banco de Brasil. It accepted my card and pin, gave me my balance, but could not complete the cash transaction. Tried a different bank but no visa/maestro ATM. Back to C&V, found the cameras locked in a case as in Curry’s etc. I asked an assistant for assistance. She pressed a button on the display and intimated someone would be along shortly. Some time later a young bloke came along whose English ... read more

Yes it’s raining again, so we’re catching up on diaries and lessons for the boys. pm the rain lessened so we made a bus trip to the Jardim Botanico, an organised yet still incredible collection of tropical plants, especially with the rain dripping and Corcovado/Tijuca as a backdrop.... read more

6/3 Midday plane from Salvador to Rio. The Dill left for a different destination early in the morning. Strange experience, we do boats and buses together not planes! Rio was amazing to fly in to, the mountains and the oceans were picture perfect. Everybody immediately crashed out. It may be our last day together but were stuffed. Daniel helped me plan my itinerary and then we headed out for fries and juice, no success ended up with filo parcels, walking along Copacabana, checking out the crowds and eating icecream. Ooj bailed on dinner but we went to a Churrascaria. Meat restaurant, with a flat rate and they keep piling it on your plate. Great food, marvellous icecream, lots of people out but we ditched going to clubs and fell asleep. Again! 7/3 Up early, met some ... read more