Surviving Rio

Saturday, January 03, 2015
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio

12/30/14 - 1/2/14

Boa tarde from Rio! We are again sitting in another airport prior to departure to our next destination . We have spent the last three days on Copacobana beach, soaking up sun, as each day has been sunny and hot. There are high rise buildings apartments and hotels lining the beach, which had soft perfect sand the consistency of brown sugar. There's an endless expanse of beach umbrellas, but it is hot, pushing 100 and we could only stay on the beach for short amounts of time. Yesterday we walked to Ipanema beach, rented an umbrella and spent the afternoon laying on the sand. In the evening we took two cable cars up to Sugarloaf Mountain, with marvelous views on Rio, Christ the Redeemer Statue (one of the 7 wonders of the world), and the expansive bay (largest inthe world). It was at sunset, and the city lights lit up the sky as it got dark. The previous night for New Years, we partied with over two million of our closest friends (except those of you stuck in MN and reading this on-line) on Copacobana Beach. We truly were amazed by the mass of people who flooded the beach right up to midnight. They came pooring in from all the side streets flowing into the crowd . Although chaotic, it was an insane sight as the countdown to midnight approached. Our apartment (rented through a friend of a friends inlaws) was one block from the beach, perfect for us to run back to use the bathroom (hundreds of porta-a-potties had super long lines), and grab more beers. Finally at midnight the crowd erupted, champagne flew through the air and several barges anchored offshore simultaneously set off an incredible 25 minute, synchronized, fireworks show. Then bands played on several stages throughout the beach until 4 in the morning (or later as we finally went to bed). What was amazing was we never felt unsafe with the police and military presence was enough to make us feel secure.

After two more short flights today and an hour taxi ride north, we've arrived at our third destination, Trancoso.

Comments

Julie
2015-01-03

So amazing. We were thinking of you guys on New Year's :) What an interesting note that you never felt unsafe. That's even better :) Wow. Just wow. What an experience that's at have been....

Cheers and thanks for bringing is along through this blog. Love it! Travel safe :)

Mom
2015-01-05

So glad you are having such an exciting time. What I wouldn't give for a warm beach today. Missing you.

2025-02-17

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