Brazil: The Summary

Ah, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is just what we imagined it to be. Tropical, beach, delicious drinks, laid back feel, not a care in the world. Sao Paulo was a giant of a city that made these New Yorkers a bit flustered.  Here are our thoughts on Brazil. 

Days in Brazil: 14  (11 in Rio and 3 in Sao Paulo)

The People:
The people we encountered in Brazil were more than happy to help us with anything we needed in both Rio and Sao Paulo. We could not speak the language and we soon found out that most Brazilians do not speak English, but they were all so willing to help you understand a menu or play a game of charades to get their point across. Life slowed down in Rio and it was perfect for our first location as we slowed down right with them. They do not bring you the bill at a restaurant unless you ask for it. People sit for hours at beachside cafes sipping ice cold beers and people watching. Sao Paulo was fast paced. Very fast, the subways were crowded, the traffic was crazy, but the people were still very friendly towards us. (Except for one woman on the metro who almost got in a fist fight with Nelson, see below).

Rio de Janeiro Part 3: Sugar Loaf Mountain, a beach day, and LAPA!

We have seen many beautiful views in Rio but our favorite was from Sugar Loaf Mountain. The view of the sea stretching as far as the eye can see was amazing. The site itself was very well manicured tropical vegetation and very peaceful. We were going to visit the Botanical Garden, but.... after all the rain we encountered, when our last day was bright and sunny, we couldn't resist the beach! Sorry botanical gardens but its hard to beat a sunny day at the beach. We also checked out nightlife in Lapa! We were looking for Samba music but found so much more!!! Why didn't anyone tell us how full of life their nightlife was!? Enjoy our last days in Rio through our pictures! Stay tuned as we travel to Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil!

Rio de Janeiro: Part 1 Exploring and People Watching

Allie and Nelson at Ipanema Beach

Ola! Nelson and Allie reporting live from lovely Rio de Janeiro! We are having so much fun here. We have done a lot of acclamation, people watching, relaxing, and taking it all in. Here our some of our first days in Rio! With Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Botanical Gardens still to come! Ciao!

We have departed!

Its official! We have departed the US and we have arrived in the UK! After the flight we are definitely experiencing jet lag! We are here in London for one night as we depart again tomorrow for sunny Rio de Janeiro! (London, not so sunny!) 

What we have learned from our first 12+ hours of traveling from JFK to Heahthrow:

• We have too much stuff, we should plan in the next few days of what to ditch as our bags are stuffed to the brim. Not convenient for traveling when you want to slip something in your bag real quick.
• Lines don't bother you as much when you have plenty of time. 
• British accents are so amusing! (and sometimes so hard to understand it sounds like a different language)
• Virgin Atlantic in flight service is very good! Pleasant flight crew! (free wine in economy class isn't too shabby either!)
• When the pilot tells you it will be a "nice day" in London, that equates to "dark, cloudy, gloomy skies, but no rain!" :)