Carnaval in Rio, part 1
Absolutely amazing. S
ays it all - the spectacle, the noise, the people. All wonderful and lots more people to meet (several Dragoman trucks all converge on one hotel in Rio for the week. Some people leave for home or other trips, and others join).
Week started quietly with a couple of nights heading out to Lapa Arches for drink, food, and live music. 1st night was with the group I have been travelling with for the last few weeks and turned out to be an early (for Rio) night. 2nd night gave the chance to meet a few new people, firstly for a meal near our hotel and then for drinking/dancing in front of the arches. Mostly Brits again - one girl from London, 3 from Cornwall, an Aussie, and a couple from Suffolk. Made the mistake of ordering caipirosska at Lapa and watched the barman pour it: over half a cup of vodka, topped with lime juice and sugar. Then made the equally crazy mistake of finishing off Naomi´s drink not long before we headed back to the hotel in the small hours of the morning.
In between the sessions at Lapa, we had a tour to Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer, followed by Sugar Loaf Mountain. Spectacular views of Rio and all around. 
Saturday afternoon was a trip to the Maracana stadium and a football match between Vasco and Fluminense. Quite amazing game. First half was not too good - football was not of a particularly good quality except for one player on the Fluminense team who had a lot of skill and used it. 2-1 to Fluminense at half-time. Second half started off with Fluminense getting a third goal and the home crowd getting impatient. Vasco pulled one back but then a spectacular 4th goal put Fluminense two goals ahead again. It was around this point that our guide said she would like to leave the match a little bit early to make it easier for everyone to meet up outside. Reluctantly agreed but just as we got to the back of the stand, Vasco pulled a goal back. Turned to Colin ´I´m not going, are you?´´No´. So we let Lisa and some of the others leave, turned around and sat back down. Just as well. Atmosphere was electric by now and 3 minutes the end Vasco were awarded a (very dodgy) penalty to equalise. Think that justified the decision to stay and we still managed to find Lisa outside with no problem.
Recovery from Saturday night at Lapa was a trip down to Copacabana to look for the body beautiful. Unfortunately he/she wasn´t there but thousands of the body not-so-beautiful were. Spent a bit time in the ocean, a bit of time soaking up the sun, and the rest shopping in a market behind the beach. By this time, our pre-Rio group have decided that we are going to go to the Gay Ball on Tuesday. Dave and me followed this up by letting the girls choose our outfits (as long as speedos are not involved). Took some time to stop Starna from buying stuff for herself and concentrate on something for me. Have to accept some of the blame - found her a lovely little top that would match a pair of Brazil shorts she already had.
Sunday evening was the Sambadrome 
parade. First chance to really dress up in Rio and we took the chance. Loads of photos to follow below once I upload them. Two of the ladies on the Dragoman trips paid to take part with the 1st samba school. 
One mile of concrete where the samba schools compete between enormous stands. Spectacle is amazing. Each school probably has thousands of dancers in really elaborate costumes, and a dozen or so amazingly designed and decorated floats. Takes over an hour for each school to pass, so this was the latest night yet: gone 05:30 when we leave. 
Most of the 100 or more people in our group stay right through to the end. Get Metro back to our hotel but Becky and me get invited to rooftop pool party by someone off one of the other overland trucks in town. Would have been nice, but by now it is 6am, we are totally exhausted, and our only thought is breakfast followed by sleep. 
Manage to get up at lunchtime on Monday and take myself into the city centre for some sightseeing. First sight is good - get off the Metro to find lots more floats being prepared for night 2 of the Sambadrome. 
Walk all round these and get some photos, then city centre tour. 
Have to say that the metropolitan cathedral is possibly the ugliest building I have seen in the country so far, but there are also some beautiful sights. Back to hotel to meet up for dinner and (unplanned) early night. 
Would have liked to have gone out again but no-one else was up for it. All saving their energy for Tuesday which could be the highlight of the week. 
ays it all - the spectacle, the noise, the people. All wonderful and lots more people to meet (several Dragoman trucks all converge on one hotel in Rio for the week. Some people leave for home or other trips, and others join). Week started quietly with a couple of nights heading out to Lapa Arches for drink, food, and live music. 1st night was with the group I have been travelling with for the last few weeks and turned out to be an early (for Rio) night. 2nd night gave the chance to meet a few new people, firstly for a meal near our hotel and then for drinking/dancing in front of the arches. Mostly Brits again - one girl from London, 3 from Cornwall, an Aussie, and a couple from Suffolk. Made the mistake of ordering caipirosska at Lapa and watched the barman pour it: over half a cup of vodka, topped with lime juice and sugar. Then made the equally crazy mistake of finishing off Naomi´s drink not long before we headed back to the hotel in the small hours of the morning.
In between the sessions at Lapa, we had a tour to Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer, followed by Sugar Loaf Mountain. Spectacular views of Rio and all around. 
Saturday afternoon was a trip to the Maracana stadium and a football match between Vasco and Fluminense. Quite amazing game. First half was not too good - football was not of a particularly good quality except for one player on the Fluminense team who had a lot of skill and used it. 2-1 to Fluminense at half-time. Second half started off with Fluminense getting a third goal and the home crowd getting impatient. Vasco pulled one back but then a spectacular 4th goal put Fluminense two goals ahead again. It was around this point that our guide said she would like to leave the match a little bit early to make it easier for everyone to meet up outside. Reluctantly agreed but just as we got to the back of the stand, Vasco pulled a goal back. Turned to Colin ´I´m not going, are you?´´No´. So we let Lisa and some of the others leave, turned around and sat back down. Just as well. Atmosphere was electric by now and 3 minutes the end Vasco were awarded a (very dodgy) penalty to equalise. Think that justified the decision to stay and we still managed to find Lisa outside with no problem.
Recovery from Saturday night at Lapa was a trip down to Copacabana to look for the body beautiful. Unfortunately he/she wasn´t there but thousands of the body not-so-beautiful were. Spent a bit time in the ocean, a bit of time soaking up the sun, and the rest shopping in a market behind the beach. By this time, our pre-Rio group have decided that we are going to go to the Gay Ball on Tuesday. Dave and me followed this up by letting the girls choose our outfits (as long as speedos are not involved). Took some time to stop Starna from buying stuff for herself and concentrate on something for me. Have to accept some of the blame - found her a lovely little top that would match a pair of Brazil shorts she already had. 
Sunday evening was the Sambadrome 
parade. First chance to really dress up in Rio and we took the chance. Loads of photos to follow below once I upload them. Two of the ladies on the Dragoman trips paid to take part with the 1st samba school. 
One mile of concrete where the samba schools compete between enormous stands. Spectacle is amazing. Each school probably has thousands of dancers in really elaborate costumes, and a dozen or so amazingly designed and decorated floats. Takes over an hour for each school to pass, so this was the latest night yet: gone 05:30 when we leave. 
Most of the 100 or more people in our group stay right through to the end. Get Metro back to our hotel but Becky and me get invited to rooftop pool party by someone off one of the other overland trucks in town. Would have been nice, but by now it is 6am, we are totally exhausted, and our only thought is breakfast followed by sleep. 
Manage to get up at lunchtime on Monday and take myself into the city centre for some sightseeing. First sight is good - get off the Metro to find lots more floats being prepared for night 2 of the Sambadrome. 
Walk all round these and get some photos, then city centre tour. 
Have to say that the metropolitan cathedral is possibly the ugliest building I have seen in the country so far, but there are also some beautiful sights. Back to hotel to meet up for dinner and (unplanned) early night. 
Would have liked to have gone out again but no-one else was up for it. All saving their energy for Tuesday which could be the highlight of the week. 
posted by Alan at 7:14 pm
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