Travel: Rio de Janeiro Brazil {Part 2}

We stayed on Copacabana beach in Rio which is a massive beach so we set out to look at some other smaller, quieter ones. We hopped over to Ipanema which is just next door to Copacabana and also made our way to Barra. Now Barra beach really took the cake here with its super blue waters and seemingly uninhabited beach compared to the others. 

  

 

The day we went to visit Christ the Redeemer, we were driving up through the winding roads and I could see the cloud, tons of cloud masking the view and I was so annoyed, thinking it was a total waste. Luckily with some waiting, Christo Rendentor emerged from the white fluff and it was an applause from everyone there!

We totally thought we got our photo with the statue...that was a fail, along with many other photo attempts! (Was using a GoPro)

Below is the National dish of Brazil: Feijoada (a black bean stew that is brewed with a variety of smoked and salted pork and beef). They use different parts of the pig such as ears, tail, tongue, along with the meat and the feijoada is served with white rice, collard greens, orange slices for some freshness and toasted cassava flour also known as farofa. The Brazilians usually eat this on the weekends as it is a three to four hour feast full of chatting, eating and socializing.

Jardim Botanico was a serene oasis in an ever moving city, if you are looking for a slow paced activity where you are surrounded by waterfalls, lush greenery, cobblestones and vibrant orchids, well go here. So pretty indeed!

 

 

Stop by Copacabana Palace for a cocktail in their famous Hotel Cipriani restaurant. Very glamorous and beautifully decorated...

 

 

This sandwich was delicious, we actually returned to have it for the second time and they weren't there. This yumminess is found on Ipanema Beach #80 beach stall from a Uruguayan family. Here is how I found out about it.

 

It honestly was an amazing week in Rio and I enjoyed it thoroughly, I'm now ready to explore the rest of South America and all the amazingness it has to offer!

Travel: Rio de Janeiro Brazil {Part 1}

So after my adventure in Iguassu, I made my way to Rio to meet up with Toby and start our week of exploring. We stayed on Copacabana beach at the Pestana Rio Atlantica and let me say, what a view we had from the rooftop! Of course we went right up to start on the caiprihinias and enjoy the amazing view.

We visited Sugar Loaf mountain which was eye awakening with all the mountains in the background and Christ the Redeemer making a small appearance. Apart from Sugar Loaf Mountain which is your typical tourist attraction, we visited two neighborhoods in Rio which I kinda fell in love with, its those areas which are pull you in and make you think, if I lived in Rio; I would live here (or at least nearby). One was Santa Teresa which was mostly cobble stoned with quaint little homes dotted around. We stopped by a local eatery which was originally a corner grocery way back in 1923 and demolished some cod fish balls and Brazilian beer. We definitely had our fair share of beer and fresh coconut water on this trip and for me caiprihinas!

Urca was the other neighborhood which is right on the seaside, the locals sit on the seawall with their beer and snacks and chat and enjoy the peaceful views of Guanabara Bay. We went into Bar Urca got our beer and shrimp and quickly found a small spot on the wall. It's an area you go to get away from the hustle and bustle.

Another highlight was the Selaron Stairs in Lapa which was a sight to behold, it really is a work of art. Jorge Selarón, a Chilean artist transformed the 215 steps in Lapa and it took him 20 years to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solo Travel: Iguassu Falls {Brazil & Argentina}

So this was my first time traveling solo and exploring on my own, needless to say I was pretty nervous about it but also excited at the same time. I flew into Foz do Iguacu from Campinas and started my little adventure! From the Brazilian side you experience a panoramic view of the falls, as opposed to the Argentinian side where you get a more close up, intimate view...and you can hop on a boat down the river to really get close and personal with the Iguassu Falls. These falls are breathtakingly beautiful and pictures do no justice but I did my best to try and capture the magic...