January 13th ~ Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Overlooking Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro
A morning flight from Foz do Iguacu to Rio de Janeiro was followed by a short drive to check into our hotel. We caught our first glimpse of the “Christ the Redeemer” statue along the way, but our visit would have to wait until the next day.
View from our flight – The landscape is so lush and green in this tropical area
Coming into Rio, just another big city from the air
After time to rest and freshen up, Juani took us on a walking tour so we could get an introduction to Brazil’s most famous beaches, Copacabana and Ipanema.
The Hotel Santa Clara was only about 6-8 blocks from the beach. We could have been in one of several large latin cities along our walk, but once we arrived at Copacabana Beach, WOW, there was no mistaking that we were in Rio.
Copacabana Beach
This cutie was selling swim suits
Boats, fishing nets and surfboards
It was just as you might imagine. Warm, sunny, a beach full of sun bathers, skimpy bathing suits, volleyball games, people hawking anything from drinks to bathing suits to water toys. The powdery white sand felt soft beneath our bare feet as we drank it all in.
It is only a short walk from Copacabana to the more elite Ipanema Beach.
Ipanema Beach
After walking along the boardwalk, we hiked up a low hill at the end of the beach to take in sweeping views.
The view of the beach from on top of the hill
My favorite shot of the day from the hilltop
And you just never know when a musical group will pop up and start to entertain you.
Musicians, dancers and stilt walkers
We decided to join the youngsters on an optional Carnival practice session that did not start until late into the evening. Picked up at our hotel by a small bus around 10:00 p.m., we were driven to a large indoor complex since the weather was dreary and more rain was in the forecast.
Before being dropped off, our guide for the evening informed us that the bus would return us back to our hotel around 2:30 a.m. He also mentioned that if we went outside, we would not be allowed back in.
I had hoped to see some of the exquisite dancing and the exotic costumes. Instead we were in a large room, packed with people where it quickly became almost impossible to move, listening to music blaring so loudly that even with my ears covered, it hurt…
Boy-oh-boy our age is showing!
Just too loud for me 😦
I lasted about 15 minutes.
Locating our guide to inform him that we were leaving early so that he would not be looking for us at the end of the evening, he was kind enough to help us get an Uber ride back to our hotel.
We spoke to the three who had remained when we saw them at breakfast the next morning to find out what we had missed. They too had found it loud, but did enjoy seeing the dancers who eventually had put on a bit of a show. None of us thought that it was worth the optional $60 expense however.
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful that we are more than willing to try something new, even if it does not turn out to be what we had hoped for. Sometimes we land right in the middle of something special, and other times not so much. But without trying, we would never know.
Next stop: Corcovado Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain
A Note From Abroad 
‘The Girl from Ipanema’ is now dancing around in my head. 🙂
LikeLike
I sang that one along with, “At the Copa, Copacobana…” all afternoon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. I’ll bet. 🙂
LikeLike
Heh, heh, heh … yep, both of them are doing a little Salsa in my head too. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this post. I was watching a ‘find a new home’ type television programme recently; it highlighted Ipanema and Copacobana. What fascinating places! I think I will have to put this on the bucket list..
“They too had found it loud, but did enjoy seeing the dancers who eventually had put on a bit of a show.”
I agree; some things we just don’t have to do; whatever our age! 🙂
LikeLike
Tim and I are more “mountain” people instead of “beach” people, but we still thoroughly enjoyed walking along the sand, getting our feet wet, watching the action and gawking at the bodies of all shapes and sizes on display. I think they must have a healthier body image than many here in the states as they unashamedly put much on display. Bravo for them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“unashamedly put much on display. Bravo for them!”
So I noticed… 😉 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I visited Brazil, Rio, Sao Paulo and Forteleza, many times to do workshops for teachers who taught English as a second language. I had a wonderful time and loved the country. It was lovely to revisit Rio through your wonderful photographs and interesting words.
LikeLike
Thanks Janet. I think you will then enjoy seeing tomorrows post as well that shows more of the highlights of Rio. It turned out to be such a varied trip and we came home with great memories and some new friends.
LikeLike
I too love your photo from the top of the hill, but I am thinking Rio is a little too crowded for my tastes. Ditto for the loud music, LOL! But you are correct, keep trying new things…it keeps us young (er)!
LikeLike
I’ve always preferred quiet over noise. The solitude of our cabin is heaven for me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pretty, pretty, pretty.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the unfake photography. We would love to go to Rio someday.
LikeLike
Clemens, if you love to travel and enjoy photography, then Rio is a place to be seen at least once in a life time.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Vietnam Travel & Trade Portal .
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing ❤️
LikeLike
Going there tomorrow 🙂
LikeLike
Awesome! Have a wonderful trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
I love that Ipanema Song. Reminds me of joy SantaBarbaraSwim.Com 👙☀️
LikeLike