Wrecked from our flights back from Salvador, an 8 hour journey, we arrived back to Alfa Hostel to be reunited with Leo. We headed for Ipanema to show off our tan, no longer would we blend in with the sand!! Met up with James, our travel companion, and Simon, and spent the day chilling at the beach. Went for cheap local meal in Botafogo, at a street restaurant, absolutely the best way to eat!! Cheap and delicious!!
The following morning we decided to get closer to the action and the beach, so moved to Wave hostel in Ipanema. Chilled at Ipanema all day, met up with more of the crew, stayed till sunset and clapped with the locals and Gringos… Later we hooked up with our team Alfa and went for a doner kebab before getting the train to Lapa for some serious fun.
Every other pub had a live band, so we sat down and ordered our caipirinas enjoying the music from the streets. Moved away from the Gringo section and went deeper into Lapa and mixed with the locals. Everyone was chilled out except for one, she got a panic attack saying this was unsafe, but the posh backpackers disagreed we said ’we are perfectly safe, sure there are armed police just across the street’|…..hahahaha
A bit damaged from the Caipirinias the night before, the three soldiers, us and James, decided we needed some divine inspiration, so we headed on our pilgrimage to see Jesus. Waiting for our train to heaven, we bumped in to an Ozzy boyband we’d met in Salvador, called The Heroes, and decided to get a bus to heaven with them instead of waiting for the train. Made it up to Jesus, he’s still there watching over Rio, tourists swarming around him, and Bob the Builders making sure he’s kept in shape. The view was as amazing as 2 years ago, and happy out, the three soldiers made their way back down to Rio, and back to Ipanema beach, where we’d arranged to meet Natasha (MT’s friend from Norway).
Had a few hours at the beach, and were invited to Natasha’s dad and stepmum’s place for dinner. It was a beautiful appartment on the top floor, with the most amazing view of Rio and the most stunning art work and sculptures covered the appartment, We sat admiring the view, while sipping champagne, The posh backpackers were in heaven!! We had a beautiful dinner with Natasha and the family, and headed back to the hostel to pick up James for another night of Lapa. Partied our night away in Lapa, sipping caipirinias, since it was our last night in Rio, the Posh Backpackers got back from Lapa, and headed for Ipanema for one last time, at 4am. We wanted to see the sunrise, James went off to bed, but we met up with a few friends on our way to the beach and dragged them along. It was our last night, so we thought, why go to bed at all???? Waiting for the sunrise, the clouds appeared and the rain came, so we went for a swim instead and never witnessed the sunrise. We wrapped ourselves up and headed for the hostel at 7am while stopping at our local for a coffee and a packet of Ruffles (crisps). We decided to forget bed and wait for breakfast.
That day Rio cried it’s eyes out for us, and we were as sad!!! Had our little going away party with Froggy, Thijs and James, and devastated we said Ciao Ciao to Rio, we’ll be back next year!!
So now we are in London at Siri’s place.
It’s been a lovely weekend that tried to ease us back to European ways and WEATHER (brrrrrr)… Rugby night out with Brian in Richmond, Camden Markets Starbucks and laughter, it is now time to part ways – Irlanda and Noruega here we come…So until next time…. Valeu Valeuuuuuu!!!
