Brazil day 5

waking up was rather difficult this am. rachel was up reading and i woke up at about 10. felicio and ana were up, and looked at the weather forecast—sun! change of plans, grab breakfast at ipanema and lay on the beach. we quickly through on our swimsuits and headed towards the metro. first stop. breakfast. at nectar suca. a juice bar where they freshly blend fruits for you. similar to a smoothie but not as thick or ice chunk filled. we also got sandwiches (ham and cheese) to eat before the beach. everything was so tastey and so fresh. rachel got a pinneapple and mint juice and i had a fruit native to brazil. we headed towards the beach. passed pier 7, 8 (the gay pier) and arrived to pier 9 where we set out to find a spot in the sand. laid out our new beach layupons and lathered up in spf 8 sunsceen. within 5 minutes felicio was dragging me and rachel out to the water. sure.... pretty sure the waves were MASSIVE and forceful. we were out for maybe 10 minutes and i was quite a workout to not get taken with the current. i was ready to head back. laid down on my towel and enjoyed the hot brazilian sunlight. shortly after ana and felicio went out to the water and one of the cabana boys brought an umbrella and two chairs over for us. we also tried a matcha. this guy walks around with 2 5gallon tanks on each side of him, one has ice tea the other has lemonade. so it basically was an arnie palmer, but you could chose how much of each you wanted. very delicious and very relaxing. i swear, i could do that everyday if i could. lay on the gorgeous beach, admire the brazilian swimsuits, and be served food and drinks. people walked around with everything you could imagine—drinks, food, peanuts, beach layupons, even brazilian bikinis. we stayed at the beach until 3pm because it was getting cloudy. decided to take the bus back to lappa. omg, that was crazy. we need to go to bus station 2. then you have to wave down the bus you want and hold on. 2.50R per rider and there is someone sitting inside the bus that controls the gate you have to pass through to sit. then hold on. drivers are crazy! weaving in and out of traffic, speeding up then slowing down abruptly. and the buses are manual transmissions. boy oh boy. we got off in lapa just under the arches and went to the grocery store for food for lunch. felicio purchased food to make pasta and we all showered while he prepared the food. there definiately was sand in places there shouldnt be sand. the pasta dinner was quite good. it was an alfreo and large pasta noodles with corn and mushrooms and peas. mmmmm.

Ana continued to mention things from the states she likes but are very expensive here. like an iphone is 2000R a macbook pro 4000R+ they just got kitkats to be distributed here 1 month ago. they do not have snickers or butterfingers. also, victoria's secret lotion is worth a lot like 40R a bottle. they do not have VS unmentionables. i told her she could have some of mine since my mom just counted out 36 pairs in my last load of laundry. but next time i come, im going to stock up on these things and we can sell them on the street and make a lot of money :-) eh, probably not but we do need to create a 'small things of america that are very expensive in brazil care package” and send it down.

after lunch (which happened at 5pm) we are relaxing before we head to copacabana beach. more to come!

brazil day 4

alarm went off way too early at 730 am. we quickly packed everything up and were down to breakfast just after 8 am. enjoyed our last morning of free food complete with bread and cheese spread and meat and cheese. we paid our 180R to rodriquez and rita, took a picture (oh he has a nice camera, hes a photographer for national geographic) and then threw our bags on and started the hike down to the ferry dock to catch our 9am ferry.

of course, everything runs on brazilian time, we we caught our ferry about 920. we climbed up top of the catamaran and enjoyed the view from up there for the 45 minutes back to the mainland. just before landing, we heard this cute couple across from us speaking in english. asked where they were from and the girl was from southafrica living in london and the boy was from mexico. they met in columbia traveling and were meeting back up. they realized we too were going to the bus station, so asked if we wanted to share a taxi to the bus terminal. we wanted to but no taxis come, so we hiked 25 minutes with our pack on our backs to the bus station. i had some awesome back sweat, not as good as in greece.

we had pre purchased our tickets for the 1230 bus, but it was just 1100. our new friends bought their tickets and asked if we could join them for an eariier departure that was leaving now. the bus dudes agreed and we quickly boarded the bus to rio.

rachel and i passed out rather quickly. but sure enough about an hour into the ride they pulled over for a fifteen minute pit stop. then we were back on the road and sleeping until we started to hit stop and go traffic which woke us up. sure enough, we were in rio. made it to the bus station, found return to sao paulo tickets for ¼ at 1030am to arrive at 1630 in time for bus exchange and get to airport. 50$. much cheaper than an airplane ticket. we hit the atm and said bye to our new friends, then saught out a taxi for felicios house. it was early, only 230 but wanted to get to his area so we knew where we were to meet him at his hosue at 4pm. we stopped and grabbed a bite to eat for 12R at a buffet, which is pay by what it weighs. then a 340 we started the block hike to his hosue. i wasnt too sure exactly how we were going to meet him, but we sat on our luggages until about 415, i was getting nervous, but sure enough a cab pulled up and out hopped this energetic cute brazilian girl who knew us. greeted us the brazilian way (kiss on each cheek) then out hopped felicio. he helped us with our bags up to his apartment, we were given a nook to keep our stuff in. very nice. he gave us a key and told us we are free to do what we want.

first thing first, we got the wifi password and updated the blog/facebook then we got ready to head to a couchsurfing thing at ipanema beach to watch the sunset. we hopped the metro after changing into crops bc it was slightly cold here. like 20 degrees celsius. emerged from the metro and walked a couple blocks to ipanema beach, one of the last beaches of rio. we walked to pier 7 and saw the cs party, but there werent many people there probably because of the losey weather and the cloud covered sky. we climbed to felicios favorite point took a couple pictures then went back to the cs party. tried the soda drink of choice down here it tasted like a shirley temple then started walking to copacabana beach to see what it looks like without 2 million people on it. after that we hopped the metro back to lapa.

lapa on friday nights is quite lively. it reminds me of the state fair but every friday night. we found felicios favorite caiprihau shop and got a 700ml ciprihua for 7R then got a 'x-todo' x stands for cheese... and todo means everything. the burger which costed 2R a piece and had hamburger, piece of ham, fried egg, salad, tomato, slab of bacon, in a bun topped with picnic (shoe string potatoes). and yes i ate the entire thing.

we then proceeded under the arches of lapa to the 'rich' part of lapa. we then proceeded to walk the perimeter, went to the famous steps and in amongst the emo hippies where a straong frangrent smell was noticable. we then went through the 'poor' part. got caipafruitas which we could chose the fruit, i got strawberry kiwi (and was given a weird—are you sure?) yes, it was delicious. rachel got a manga caiprafruita. each were 7R a piece and were 700mL. felicio and ana were light weights. one caiprahnua a piece did them in. we got back to where we started, and they decided to head home. rachel and i wanted to give them some alone time before we headed back. so we were people watching and a group of 5 touristy brazilians needed help with a group picture. so we helped then got talking to them. they have an apartment one block from copa. we exchanged information then rachel and i started our walk home. we found it quite easily. both brushed our teeth and then passed out. new years eve tomorrow!

Brazil day 3

woke up to the alarm at 9am breakfast to be served between 8-10. snoozed until 930 then went to breakfast in our pajamas. our table was waiting for us, complete with two breads, juice and meat/cheese platter. topped our breads with the creamy cheese dressing then ate the other bread with the meat and cheese. rachel had 2 fresh picked bananas and a peach like object with some coffee.

came back to our room and napped while rachel read harry potter 2. woke up about 1045, got dressed and put on our tennis shoes for a hike to the waterfall. we set out about 1100. figured out the trail to the waterfall, which passed us under some aqueducts built in 1860 before another hour long hike to the waterfall. along the way, we ran into the two american girls again on the trek down to the waterfall. upon arriving, rachel changed her mind on jumping in. there was a young boy playing in the falls naked... and about 20 other people in the falls as well. we went to priya prita beach and enjoyed a rain shower before treking back and figuring out where the other three beaches were within the ilha grande park. found the other beaches, complete with some pot smokers enjoyed the view and set off to the 5 beaches in a row on the other side of abraao.

the beaches required we start up the same trail we did yesterday to lopez mendes but we got to quickly veer off along the water. longest plateau trail yet! we had to take our shoes off to cross from one beach to another but the pay off was andrea actually got in the salt water and our tennis shoes did not get too soaked. yes, we were the crazy tourists walking through the beaches in tennis shoes. the locals all here walk around barefoot. we passed to 3 of four beaches before we had a long hike to abraaozinho beach. upon arriving, we both went in the cold sea water. a fisherman caught a fish and that was in for andrea. out she went. it was nearly 500 when we got to the beach and sunset is approximately 600 so we decided to hike back before we got stuck needing our flashlights.

made it back to abraao and grabbed a beachside table and had 2 x 600ml bottles of beer for 14.70R (7 dollars) made it back to our hotel, both enjoyed long hot showers before going out for dinner. oh, those coconut cookies we purchased yesterday—totally demolished. mmmmm at 8pm we set off for downtown ilha grande in search of good food preferably something fried. thye w having a live concert in the center so wecozzied up and got a tablet at a bar. we both ordered some kind of carne sandwich which came with french fries and we each ordered our own 6o0ml beer. mine came with hard boiled egg and rachels came with capresa whih was a sort of sausage. meanwhile a local boy started talking to us before our meals came. he gav me his email address, well see if he gets emailed but he too will be is copacabana beach for the new years celebration. shortly after our foo when we realized wwhat came with our carne another local boat taxi driver came and talked to us. at first h pretended he didnt know enlish then wheen we were liike no se he started talking english andre was his name. he thn was offering to bing us to the blue lagoon which would be pretty and he wanted to buy us a drink. we started walking with him but rachel and i wanted to buy some souveniours.. so we found andre his friens then wewent and got our souvvengiers. shopping we found a necklace for someone and then we went into a shop and we each goot a surong....which is what eveyone lys on in the beach, much smaller than a beach towel but larger. quite wsome actually. we tn both had to ppeeee so we walked back to our posada dropped our stuff off used the facility and then went back for crepes. andrea ordered a caipringua and rachel had a maranguca and we orded a caramell con coco crepe . quite delicious. while we waited street dancers dancing with fire juggling sticks came and performed. then we ate our cepes and walked back and finished packing so we could catch our 9am catamaran back to angra to meet up with felicio in rio. very good day.

Brazil Day 2

woke up at 650 aM which was way too early. quick showered and kelvin ran down to the market for fresh cheese in a jar nector of marignua juice and fresh baked bread. the cheese had a consistency of runny mayonaise but tasted good on the fresh bread. kelvin then brought us to the catamaran by 755 am and by 810 we were sailing to ilha grande. the ride took about 45 minutes and was R25 a piece each way. got to the island and started to embark for our hotel which andrea only had the google map print out with an approximation. luckily we took one correct turn and hiked into the mountain up hill with giant cobblestones.(glad i brought the backpack not the rolly bag!) got to our hotel oura verde earlier than they were anticipating. our room was not ready but they sat us down in the breakfast area and brought us fresh squeezed pink juice of some sort. Rodriquez told us about the island. his wife rita runs the b&B and he is a photographer for national geographic. we decided per rodriguez and kelvins recommendation that we would set out on foot to lopez mendes beach. 3 km long beach with white sand. only problem-- its a 6km walk there and takes about 2.5-3 hours.

no problem. rachel and i got our room complete with en suite bathroom, double bed and bunk beds changed into our hiking gear and set off for the beach of abraao so we could find the trail marked t10. along the way we grabbed a 1.5L of water a piece. sure enough the trail was quite hilly and full of mud making it quite slippery. andrea biffed it once going down a hill. along the 2.5 hour hike we passed some monkeys. they were little monkeys that looked like the little grandfather ones at the como zoo. we also met 3 guys from saopaulo who had never been to ilha grande before and spoke decent english. we also met a couple girls traveling from nyc and canada. they are here for 3 weeks. jealous! they did parati prior to ilha grande.

we came to palmas beach only to find out we had to keep going for another fourty five minutes. again, it was the same wildernessy rainforest hike you see everywhere. quite similar to puerto rico.

upon arriving to the beach, it started raining and the sun had disappeared. andrea did not go near the water but rachel took some picures for souveniours. (i am broke, dont expect anything!) then we laid on our american towels and enjoyed the... cloudy rainy brazilian day. the waves here were giant. it is a surfer beach. no we did not meet any hot surfer dudes. apparently hardly anyone on the island speaks english.... which poses a slight problem when we only speek englsh. oh well.

after about 2 hours of napping on the beach, we decided to turn around and start our trek home. it took about 2.5 hours back too. saw some more monkeys and did not wipe out. good hike. once we got back to abraao we stopped at a super market... yes, i did not mention food meaning we had not eaten since this morning...... and grabbed some coco cookies, a brazilian beer (to enjoy in the shower) and another 1.5L water. got back to our villa, showered and now we are headed down to the local beach front for some dinner and socializing. ilha grande is not known for its night life, which is fine by me, im beat!

we went to lua e mar and had their calamari risotta, quite dieliciious (and 76R for the two of us) we then walked along the beach and turned up rua bacio towards our posada, but stopped at an outdoor bar where we had 2x 600ml beer for 12 r before callng it a night. found a huge bug on the wall outside our hotel door before entering. pictures coming soon.

Brazil day 1

so Rachel and i boarded the plane in zone 3. we were assigned seats 3^rd from the back in the giant 767. 2 on the window, three in the middle 2 on the other window. Clueless as to where all the people were, we questioned taking a group of three middle seats each. Sure enough moments before they shut the airplane door, a brazilian hopped in and took our idea. Rachel then moved to a group of two seats behind mine and we stole 3 pillows a piece. seriously, there were about 100 people on the plane.

Dinner was served shortly after take off from atlanta and it was quite tastey surprisingly. we had our option of chicken and veggies or cheesey raveoli. we both chose the chicken which came complete with dinner salad, roll, a blondie cookie, and a glass of white wine (for free). Shortly after the meal, we figured out all the movies were free so we laid down across our own two seats and watched a couple movies. I got some good sleep but woke up at 2am to find the guy that took the three seats across from me asking me if i wanted to change spots with him. Gladly, i said 'are you sure' before switching. I then passed out stretched out until 7am when breakfast was served. Rachel fell asleep sitting up leaning against the window.

Breakfast was an english muffin with egg chunk with peppers in it and aslice of cheese, orange juice, and a strawberry yogurt. Shortly after breakfast we landed safely in sao paulo.

Customs were surprisingly quick and simple. must be why a tourist visa is required. the customs agent did not ask any questions, just swiped my passport and visa and off we were to find a bathroom to brush our teeth and change out of our minnesota warm clothes.

we found the ATM (andrea needed it and got 400 reals,rachel exchanged her cash in minnesota) and headed toawrds the airport bus service. 33 reals to get us to the bus station. we bought our tickets at 915 and caught the 930 bus to the bus station. no traffic or anything the expected hour long ride took a measley 25 minutes.

Once we got to the bus station, we looked for the 'mechanical stairs' and all the bus company stations. we found reunitodas, only to find out the non-stop trip to angra was full. “alll full” unsure of how else to get there, the guy—who doesnt speak english-- said 'sao paulo to barra manas to angra. so we bought a ticket for 50 reals to barra manas at 1300. not reall sure what company would get us from there to angra we figured its the best thing we could do. now we just had to waste3 hours in the bus station. rachel grabbed bobs burgers and i grabbed a ham sandwich and we sat in a little food court i kept dosing off and time went very slowly.

after what felt like an eternity, we both took our turns in the bathroom and headed to our terminal. boarded the bus and passed out. about 3 hours into the trip the bus made a 20 minute pit stop and we looked at the map to see where barra manas was in comparison to sao paulo and rio. we werent even sure if the guy was pointing us in the right direction. stupid americans. sure enough, according to the map we were in the right direction. reloaded the bus and about 5km down the road someone stood up and got dropped off in the middle of no where. crap, we didnt know what our stop was going to look like or if we had to just guess or what. luckily a nice gentleman across the aisle spoke un poco ingles and knew what stop we were looking for. he gave us his businesss card and helped us find the bus station we needed. alunzio was his name. after getting our bags from under the bus we quickly found the only bus company still open and luckily they had a bus going to angra at 1800 (it was 1801 and the bus was late) it was a2.5hour drive through the most turn filled mountains and tunnels and of course the bus driver had to take them as fast as he could.

arrived to the bus station at 830, hopped a 20 real cab to mutaro, the place where kelvin teaches kick boxing. the cabbie did not know of the place so he had to ask his cop friends where it was. we found it.

we watched kelvin finish teaching and then we went to the sea shore for japanese/french food. rachel got sushi, i got a shrimp filled crepe. very tasty. now we are at kelvins while he checks in on his ex girlfriend. early morning tomorrow.

ferry at 8am.

travel day through brazil

awaiting wifi to upload. boy, it was a crazy adventure filled day, but we are safe and sound at our couchsurfers house . tomorrow we head to ilha grande!

good bye USA (travel day 1)

Got through airport security almost flawlessly--except rachel's lip gloss required an additional search of her bag. Attempted to get on the 130 flight but it was full. Boarded our 230 flight with jimmy johns in hand and found ourselves window and middle seat next to a 30 something chemical engineer. Chatted his ear off as well as the military air force air traffic controller across the aisle for about 30 minutes while we were in queve to the run way. Shortly thereafter Rachel busted out HP1 and was head bobbing minutes later. Landed in atlanta just fine and we are now waiting for our 735 flight to sao paulo!
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Preparation

Rachel & I have booked our tickets (airfare = $1650), found our couch surfers (Kelvyn & Felicio) and received our Brazilian Visas. We leave Monday December 26, and return Thursday January 5th. Basic Itinerary: Arrive 12/27--Sao Paulo, take bus to Angra dos Reis. Stay with Kelyvn 12/28-12/30, ferry to Ilha Grande and stay on the island in a hotel. 12/30-1/4, Bus to Rio, stay with Felicio. Spend New years eve on copacabana beach, take return bus back to Sao paulo 1/5 930AM arrive back to MPLS Bags aren't quite yet packed, but regardless, bikinis + sundresses seem to be all we need Rio de Janeiro, here we come!