The culmination of our Brasil experience ends in Rio. Home of Christos, Sugarloaf mountain, samba and lazy beach life.
Tyler and team USA did an amazing job with accommodation, scoring a spacious 3 bedroom apartment only a few blocks from Ipanema and Cocacabana beach. We arrived with the wrong address however and it looked like it was going to be a long day waiting for someone to come home, get online, give us the right address and let us in. In another amazing co-incidence I walked outside, looked to my right and randomly there is Roxy standing right beside me, who not only was staying with us but had a key to get in. It's crazy how many odd encounters have happened this trip and I have no doubt the forces of the universe play a role to make things work out well.
Rio is an amazing city - beautiful views, a party atmosphere, great beaches and lots to do. A lazy 28-32 degree winter helps too.
Aside from the tourist trail the highlight in Rio was being on Copacabana beach watching locals samba to the sunset and getting merry supporting Brazil vs Costa Rica with at least 500,000 locals. Not only was it a great vibe, it was even better when they won ensuring the city partied all night.
Rio was also a great way to finish up the group of 7. Tyler and Eddie were heading back to England while Roxy, Brandon and Shaw were winging their way back to New York and LA. Luckily there were plenty of nice restaurants and bars to ensure we were well fed, watered and socialised.
And so our world cup journey ends..... Up next Bolivia, a country which will be much easier on the wallet.
Ipanema beach. Just in front of our apartment. Boo Argentina!
Apparently they film the equivalent of Bondi Rescue on Ipanema beach too! With shorter swimwear, more posing and less surf life saving.
Nina getting the brilliant view of Rio from Cristos - big, boring Jesus (nothing on disco Jesus)
You gotta get the photo.....just like every other Gringo.
The Rocinha favela in Rio. To me it seemed nothing like the favela's in South Africa. This was just like a cheaper suburb with all sorts of local people. The rule of the criminals outweighs the rule of law however.
Some happy street art in Rocinha.
There was definitely some anti-Brazil / anti-World Cup flavour to some of the artwork.
Kids of the world? Something like that right.
Certainly makes street lights more interesting when they are decorated.
The Fanfest on Copacabana. Always busy!
It was a tiring 4th of July for Shaw.
Seemed almost too perfect to have a homeless guy sleeping in front of the graffiti. Very banksi-ish!
One of the many sandcastles built for tourist's entertainment and dollars. This one is of the Maracana stadium in Rio. Some were much more raunchy!
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