Rest of Rio

 There was so much to do in Rio we have left ourselves things to do for a return trip. We really enjoyed the benefits of staying with Hero and Jim, not least because of Earl Grey tea which we may not get again til Lima.  One morning we joined in Hero's yoga lesson up on the deck - brilliant venue.

Here we are going up the Sugarloaf by cable car with the kids. Everywhere you go there's a view of water in one of the many bays around all the mountains. 

We also did a free walking tour of the centre and saw the old Confiteira Colombo which is a posh cafe where the Queen had tea when she was here.  There's an interesting contrast with Buenos Aires which  seems to have peaked earlier in economic terms so has some great older buildings but they are now falling down, whereas Rio is much more thriving.

Rio is definitely all about beach culture and there are some great views to be had. 

For our final night we went out with Hero and Jim to a great club in Lapa with a live band for salsa and samba and they had a violinist lead for the second set.  For food we went to a little bar with Portuguese tapas and had beers and caiparinhas - the national drink of cane spirit, sugar and lime with lots of ice.  There are variations with any number of fruits and fruit juices or made with vodka as the spirit, but I go for the original (more of which later). 

Before we left we visited the apartment Jim has just had renovated, with a fantastic deck overlooking sea and mountains, it's just about to go on the market.  If anyone is interested let me know!

So it was to say goodbye to Rio and join our group which was smaller than we expected. Just us and our guide and 4 girls in their mid twenties, 2 English and 2 Norwegian. More to follow from the Costa Verde coming up.......