If
you like the hot weather and love to party, Brasil is certaintly the
place. Since arriving in early Feburary, everywhere we went the
Carnaval spirit has been alive. Even though the
offical Carnaval started on the 3rd of March, pré Carnaval festivities
had absoultely started! Everywhere we went, any night of the week, we
were sure to
find something on.
Beautiful
Rio
was our first destination leaving us absolutely love struck! So much
so, we found ourselves returning 4 weeks later for another week.
Unfortunately
when we first arrived to Rio our bags didn´t. The airline sent them to
South Africa instead of South America, easy mistake perhaps? Not
sure... It didn´t take us too long to forget we had no luggage after we
had a few Caipriosca´s and a night out in Ipanema with a group from our
Hostel.
It
seems that the first week of being in Rio, all we did was go out
partying. On Friday nights, thousands of Gringo´s and other party goers
pack the streets of Lapa causing havoc and drinking muito Caiprihnia´s
and Cerveja´s. The drinks are incredibly cheap here and we managed to find free poured Caipriosca´s for $2,40 - say no more!
There
have been many highlights in Rio inparticular the food, a Fumiezse
football match, shaking our butts at a Favela funk party and waking up
at 8am to go to Carnaval street parties. This city never sleeps!
Aside
from the parties, Rio is a beautiful picturesque place. Sunset at
Ipanema beach is gorgeous and the views from Sugar Loaf and Christ the
Redeemer show you Rio as far as your eyes can see.
Close
by to Rio is a beautiful get away island Ilha Grande. Looking back we
wish we stayed here longer as 3 nights just wasn´t enough. Staying at a
hostel right on the water meant that this was the perfect place to
relax after the insanity of Rio. There is plenty of hiking to do on
this island but we optioned for the boat rides because I can´t think of
anything worse than hiking in 40c degree heat. Boat rides can take you
anywhere you want including the most memorable beach we have been to so
far Lopes Mendes.
To be cont....
