We’re back from an amazing trip to Brazil! Alas, back to the grind…. no more lazy afternoons sipping caipirinhas or Bohemia beer on the beach, frolicking around town in Havaianas, and living life like a true cariocas, the people from Rio de Janeiro.
Kenz and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank our London-based friend and native cariocas, for making this trip possible. It feels like just yesterday when he jokingly asked if we wanted to join him for Carnaval in Rio during a picnic in Hyde Park last May. Little did we know, he was actually serious and we found ourselves booking tickets to Rio a month and half later. We also like to extend a huge thank you to his lovely parents for welcoming us to their beautiful penthouse flat in Gavea, as well as our fellow travel buddies for making this trip a memorable one.
Kenz, our friend, and I flew out of London Heathrow on the evening of 1 March, arriving to Cidade Maravilhosa (the Marvelous City) on the morning of the 2nd, and later joined by another couple friend who arrived that Saturday, the official start of Carnaval. Kenz and I spent one fun-filled week in Rio before heading south to Ilha Grande, a beautiful car-free tropical island three hours south of Rio, for another five days for some R&R.
Lots of stories and photos to share, but for now some highlights of our two week trip to Brazil and the famous song about the girl from Ipanema… Stay tuned and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Girl from Ipanema
Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one
she passes goes – ah
When she walks, she’s like a samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes, each one
she passes goes – ah
(Ooh) But I watch her so sadly
How can I tell her I love her
Yes I would give my heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at me
Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, I smile
– but she doesn’t see
(doesn’t see)
Hanging out with our friend and his parents before they went up to Itapava to escape Carnaval madness:
Enjoying the view from Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf):
Seeing Christ, one of the Seven Wonders of the World:
Visiting Copacabana Fort on a beautiful day:
The beaches of Rio – Copacabana (top) and Ipanema (bottom):
Sunbathing in Ipanema…yes ‘dental floss’ bikini and gorgeous people:
Of course, enjoying the Street Parties and Carnaval Balls taking place all over the city:
Pure relaxation in Ilha Grande:
