Welcome to Rio de Janeiro!

After a week of working (and eating, and shopping) in Goiania, Piracicaba, and Franca, it’s time to explore on my own before I go home.

So why am I getting up at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow? Because I’m only here a couple of days and I’m taking a tour. I’m not really a beach goer – so do I have to spend a day at the beach baking in the sun? I walked on it today – and had a caipirinha that made my head spin for about an hour. The beach is lovely, but crowded – and I want to see other places, hence a city tour Friday with Viator and a walking tour of Santa Teresa on Saturday with Urban Adventures. I decided to say in Ipanema at Mar Ipanema Hotel, a few blocks from the beach. It’s in a great area, walkable and near restaurants and shopping.

Okay, I’ve seen the beach! I like to walk, so I took a nice stroll along the other side of Ipanema by the lagoon, beautiful high rises and interesting architecture.

Botofogo

Lapa neighborhood – where I chatted with a street vendor about politics and such, bought a couple bracelets from him – maybe one for you! Then, climbed to the top of the Escadaria Selaron. I even made a friend!