Brazilian Begining.....

Places do exist where the sun shines, the sea is clean and the people smile... 


Welcome to Rio!


After the long and very tedious bus journey from Iguassu i arrived in Leblon, Rio. Leblon is renowned as being one of the most beautiful areas in the city and now i understand exactly why. Sharing Ipanema beach, and neighbouring Ipanema, the streets of Leblon give off a warmth and energy that is pure positivity. Little boutiques, cafes and park areas trail down the main high street which huge tree's align, and although there is traffic, it's not like a roaring monster that is found in many cities. The rumours are true and the people in this area are beautiful. In the day you see people walking there dogs and many have described Leblon as Rio's LA. 

Ipanema beach

I've been so lucky to be staying with Renata who is a close friend who i lived with in London during University and travelled through some of Europe with after my first year of studying. Her home here is fantastic and only a 5 minute walk from Ipanema beach. She is a great host, and being Brazilian has been making sure i am doing everything i should be doing - from relaxing on Ipanema beach and drinking coconut water in the morning, to shopping for 'real' Brazillian bikinis in the day, and eating at Sushi restaurants where  the likes of Madonna and Brazil's most famous dine (obviously not every night). I have to say the last week of the trip has been pretty unreal and i feel as though this is a home away from home. If i spoke Portuguese i could imagine staying here a long while. I think i have said this before but knowing someone local makes all the difference to a trip and the experience you have in a place.

Renata & Zea after a Thai dinner

Over the last week i have explored a lot of Leblon and although carnival doesn't officially begin until this weekend i witnessed a parade on my day of arrival, and after an amazing weekend in Buzios experienced my first pre-carnival street party. It was pretty crazy and everyone was in great spirits, although i am sure it wasn't even a little taster of what is to come next! I have also had my hair done in a salon, which turned out very well, sunbathed, cooked, eaten very well, and relaxed. Perfect.


There hasn't yet been a point where i have felt unsafe. Obviously there are stereotypes associated with every major city in every part of the world, and Rio has a reputation of being one of the most dangerous. Leblon though, seems very far away from that despite being farely close to a favella. On my day of arrival we went out in the car at night, and with all the mountainous green surroundings lit up with houses in the dark the scene was set perfectly, it looked beautiful. It was then that Renata told me that is where the favellas are. Rather than being in the lower points of the city, the favella's fill the mountains, so those are the areas that would be unsafe to visit. Whenever you see lights in the mountains, although they may look pretty, they aren't the places to stroll to.


Other than Rio, i went to Buzios for the weekend with the girls....Beautiful Buzios, just north of Rio is another story in itself....