Rio 1 Cape Town 0

Ooooooo,  I can already feel the backlash for the title.

I’ve heard many people say that Cape Town is the most beautiful city in the world but they have obviously never visited Rio.

Let me begin to describe what I have seen in the last day and then you can be the judge.

Copacabana, a 4.5km stretch of white sandy beach.

As you walk along the promenade, expect to see people clad in bikinis and Speedos (a bit scary) running, walking, blading or doing gym on the beach equipment.

Closer to the sparkling blue water there are volleyball nets and a fiesty game or 2 in progress. Stop at one of the many promenade cafes and order a drink of coconut water.

Simply insert straw and sip. The cool sweet nectar will refresh and revive you from the heat of the sun. Even in overcast weather it beats down with a vengeance.

Next a walk down yesteryear. Heading up the tree-lined streets towards the Santa Teresa barra, taxis whiz by on cobbled roads. Old tracks whisper of a time when a tram line wandered the streets of this neighbourhood. The plaster is peeling off some of the buildings, others are painted in bright colours.

Ivy creeping up walls is not uncommon and a design store or artistic coffee shop is a happy respite from walking in the rain with your umbrella.

You may even be treated to some classical music spilling over a balcony and into the streets.

Finish off the day with a cablecar ride up Sugarloaf Mountain with spectacular views of the city.

Wait for the sun to drop below the clouds for a breathtaking sunset and then the city lights begin to sparkle from below.

In the distance the statue of Christ the Redeemer is lit up and looks like it is floating above the city.

This sight is only for the patient who are willing to wait for the mist to rise or be blown away at the end of an overcast day.

Ah Rio, you have wowed me today.