Sun, Sea, and Sand-wiches: Rio

I had wanted to go to Rio for ages, so when we managed to get on an earlier flight and escape spending the night in Sao Paulo, I was estastic. We landed about 8pm on Saturday and made our way to Ipanema. Coming to Rio on a Saturday night without a reservation was not the best idea! we tried about 5 places and they were all full or too expensive. We were lugging our bags through the streets for about an hour watching dressed up, hip looking people eating and drinking and enjoying themselves in the trendy little bars and resturants. I was not enjoying myself!

Finally we found a street full of hostels and a room at Girl from Ipanema, a funky place crammed full of backpackers. Our double room, without bathroom but with mold all over the ceiling, was the most expensive we had paid for in Brazil but at 11pm at night we were just glad to finally find a bed and the owner told me they had pg tips for breakfast so was very happy!

Sunday we went to the beach and what a beach it is. Ipanema has the most amazing white sand, so deep it´s like walking in snow! There were people exercising everywhere along the beach front and on the beach-running, skating, cycling, dancing, playing volleyball - i got quite tired watching them all!

Realised i havent been talking about sandwiches much, but that`s cause in every country there is always something better than sandwiches to try for a little snack. In Ipanema i discovered mini cheese balls - a lump of cheese dipped in flour and baked so the cheese is all oozy - they are totally amazing and addictive.

Managed to bump into Jen the next day and off we went to an all you can eat for lunch. Never seen Tim eat so much meat, I got to eat loads of sushi and Jen for the first time in days didnt eat a cheese sandwich, so we were all happy. Went to Jen´s boutique hotel in the evening for drinks. Wish I had our photos of the place cause it was amazing, here´s a link if you want to check it out
http://www.chicretreats.com/Americas/Brazil/RiodeJaneiro/MamaRuisa/Hotel213.aspx

Went to see Christ the Redeemer, couldnt actually see it cause the weather was so bad so after that experience decided that sight seeing wasnt as fun as lying by Jen`s pool (the owner didnt mind cause Jen was left without a loo after a previous guest had chucked a bar of soap down it??!) so spent a couple of blissful days in total luxury, thanks Jen!