Hanggliding from Sao Conrado is an absolute must. The bird’s eyeview of the city is unlike anything else. From here you can see beach, smart houses, a favela and the Tijuaca Forest. I could see birds flying below me and I guess this is the closest I will get to knowing the feeling of soaring like an eagle.
This is a city of contrasts. Look left and there is an upmarket area, look right and there is a favela. The upmarket area is dull by comparison to the colourful favela.
People just live. They don’t worry about how they look and seem to be satisfied whether short tall fat or thin. Anything goes. Everything is about socialising. The corner food shop has a bar counter with stools and people sit or stand and eat or drink and chat. It is very lively. People talk to each other on buses and the metro. This would never happen in a place like London.
A Speedo or bikini is perfectly good clothing to walk in the streets with or go shopping in. Ooooooo and bikinis are definitely smaller and more revealing. How conservative I feel in this place.
Caiparinha is the drink to be seen with in Brazil. It’s a lemony, rum-type of drink. Have it as a sundowner or any other time of day, whatever floats your boat.
Drivers are crazy. Be it a bus, taxi or private vehicle, speed is the object and cutting corners, their game.
It’s not a myth, everyone owns at least one pair of Havaianas.
And last but not least. Rio is expensive. I have spent more money here in 5 days than over the last month in the rest of South America but it was worth every Real$.
Any thoughts or opinions? Please leave a comment.