Climbing Corcovado (Jan´12)

Corcovado mountain commands the heart of Rio, surrounded by the Tijuca rainforest and crowned by the iconic Christ the Reedemer statue. The trail up the mountain starts across the street from our apartment  (in Parque Lage) and it was only a matter of time before an ascent was attempted. Why? - ¨because it is there¨...

A 706m vertical ascent requires an energy drink, in this case Acia. Made from a Brazilian super-fruit, a purple berry that is grown in the Amazon rainforest, it is packed with natural sugar and just the ticket for today...


















As the trail entered the rainforest we quickly left the noise of Rio behind admidst the cool of the overhanging canopy, only catching the occasional glimpse through the foliage of our apartment in Zona Sul below...













As we continued the trek we encountered some of the forest´s residents...

The trail steepened as we neared the Corcovado ridge, and parts required serious scrambling / hanging onto chains..

Eventually we reached the crest of the mountain, where we could follow the cog train that was taking 99.999% of the visitors up the mountain.

 It was at this point that forest opened and we could take in the truly breathtaking views of Zona Sul, including the Atlantic ocean, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Ipanema, Leblon, and of course Jardim Botanico and Parque Lage where we started our trek.

As we reached the top of Corcovado we were able to stand with satisfaction at the feet of Christo and take in the panaoramic views.

Mission accomplished...


Rob & Bob

Carnival Blocos (Feb ´12)

Another year in Rio can only mean another carnival holiday, consisting of plenty of street parties (blocos), drinking, dancing and of course the famous Sambadroma.

 

Jasmine and Rory were definitely in the right mood to enjoy carnival this year...

 



















Carnival is everywhere in Rio, lasting around four weeks. We even witnessed it on our doorstep at 7.30am on a Sunday!
The centurians were on their way to the bloco called ´The armpit of Christ.´

The Brazilians love to party, without and with the children, so it was no surprise to find out that all around Rio there were many ´Family Blocos´ scheduled. A perfect opportunity for us all to raid Jasmine and Rory´s dressing up box and head down to a local family bloco in Jardim Botanico.

 



So, what is the difference between a family bloco and a regular bloco...?

 

 

There´s music from some amazing drummers, lots of drinking and hundreds of people...

 

 

... so I guess the only difference is that there are lots of children and we stay in one area, rather than parade down streets. Great!  

Onto the next family bloco and look who has arrived in Rio for the full on carnival experience!

 

 

We´re with our children, good friends, have cold beers, it´s a hot summers day and there´s a live band. Perfect! 

It was great to be able to share some of the carnival spirit with Jasmine and Rory. I think they enjoyed themselves too.

Lots of love B & R xxxx

New Years's Eve - Carioca style (Dec '11)

 

Our new year´s eve celebrations started on our terrace with Nana and Bobbie and of course with a chilled glass of champs!

 

The annual discussion, ´What shall we do this New Year´s Eve?´was not necessary, as we had an invitation to the largest New Year´s Eve party´s in the world ....

 

... Copacabana Beach Party!

 

 

The slightly wet night didn´t dampen our spirits...

 





 



.... especially when we were with our new friends Krishna and Richard,

 

 

and our old friends....caiprinias.

It was an  amazing night, with around 2 million people on the beach, mostly wearing white, symbolising new beginnings and a lucky year ahead and with an extraordinary fireworks display... plenty of ´ooohhh and ahhhhhhhhs!´

 



Another cariocan tradition is to jump 7 waves and make a wish. Most people participated in this, unlike Rob, Richard and Brent who decided to strip off and go for a proper dip instead! Leaving the girls to dance on the beach to the thumping music ...

While in Jardim Botanico, Nana and Bobbie enjoyed seeing in the start of the new year with a spectacular fireworks display around the Lagoa, with the company of their two excited, sleepy grandchildren ...

For us the celebrations continued well into the early hours of New Year´s Day.

 

We never did find out where Rob acquired his special hat from ....

 

Love B & R xx



Merry Christmas - Rio 2011

Excitement was building but the questions and worries came too even though Santa had found us last year ... ´Will Santa find us here?´and ´How will Santa deliver our presents when we don´t have a chimney?´ Once all the concerns were ironed out, we placed some treats for Santa and his reindeers out on the terrace, with a couple of notes of caution from Jasmine, to mind the pool ...!

... Santa definitely did find us! Wow Jasmine and Rory must have been very good this year...

... but before the presents, we had to open our stockings first ...

Wake up nana and Bobbie.... IT`S CHRISTMAS!

After the stockings, came the many, many presents...

A huge thank you to all our lovely and generous family and friends who sent presents all the way to us, in sunny Rio.

Presents have been opened and we´re dressed, ...let the Christmas feasting begin ...

Now on to the main event of the day... no not the Christmas lunch, a Christmas day swim (ummm Hampton outdoor pool or terrace pool in very sunny Rio...? ).

Ok, now time for some serious cooking.

During preparation ...                                                  

... the yummy
finished result!

 All we need now are some hungry guests (including our friends Nigel, Arline and their daughters Sarah & Leah) ...

Even though it was sunny outside, we had to have a little bit of snow. Nana´s special christmas cake was just the ticket to finish off another wonderful christmas day in Rio.

 Merry Christmas everyone!

Love from B & R xxxx