Thursday 3rd March 2016

We woke up still feeling annoyed and nervous about walking the streets. It has been a pattern of our travels, arriving at night and not feeling safe. We couldn't really shower as we didn't have our bags and we couldn't change our clothes. So we went for a short walk around the block and found a shop to buy some shampoo and shower gel. At least we could feel clean.

After showering we got a grip of ourselves and headed out into the city. We left details with the hostel staff should our bags be delivered whilst we were out. We walked to the nearest subway station and got a tube to Copacabana beach. The tube is awesome, you pay a fixed price no matter where you want to travel. A ticket cost 3.70 realis which equates to about 70p.

We arrived at Copacabana and walked along the beach singing the famous song "Her name was Lola, she was a show girl". The beach looked awesome with the tower blocks overlooking it, Sugar Loaf Mountain in the distance and The Christ Redeemer statue overlooking the city. Definitely the most self confident women we have seen on our tours, most women wearing thongs and rocking the big booties.

After seeing Sugar Loaf Mountain we decided to walk to the cable car that takes you up. About 40 minutes walk in scorching heat but it was nice to see the city, even if we felt anxious and kept looking over our shoulders.

We reached the cable car but realised we didn't have enough money and we didn't have 3G or wi-fi to top up the cash card. So we walked back to the hostel feeling a bit better but still not loving it. On our return to the hostel a staff member told us that our bags had been delivered, Yes our luck is changing. We got our clothes out and planned a night out at a Samba bar. We were so glad to get our bags back, not for the clothes but for the gifts and souvenirs we had bought from each place we had visited. Behind our photos, probably the most important things.

We did some research on trip advisor and found a Samba bar called Rio Scenarium. We had a little siesta as I was still on Australia time and then got ready to go out and shake our tush. As it was dark, we followed every travel blogs recommendation and attempted to get a taxi. The taxi driver advised us that it was walking distance and told us to walk. He told us this politely but we were still a bit sceptical. Anyhow we started the walk and made sure we were always surrounded by people. We reached the venue without any concern and paid our entry fee to the club. We got a table for two right on the dance floor so we got to see everyone showing off their skills. Some really good dancers, putting strictly to shame. There was even an old black guy who seems to know everyone and was dancing with all the ladies, such a smooth operator.

We enjoyed some food and the music and then decided to get up and dance ourselves. We cut some shapes for a few songs and then decided to head back to the hostel as it was getting late. It was 2330 and we decided to definitely get a taxi. But again the taxi driver said it was close and we should walk. It was scary but also refreshing as most countries would take you round the block and charge you. Amazingly honest to advise us to walk. We walked back and stumbled across some more Samba bars. These ones were a lot more traditional, basically young guys and girls banging drums in the street whilst people dance. We definitely felt like we were seeing the real Brazil.

We went to bed feeling much much happier. The evening had such an impact and the honesty of the taxi drivers literally changed our mind set of South America instantly. We went to bed looking forwards to our travels in this continent.

Friday 4th March 2016

We woke up still feeling great. Today we had planned to see The Christ The Redeemer statue. We headed out early to miss the mass crowds. We caught a tube and then paid for a mini bus to take us to the statue which also included the entry price. We paid 40 realis each which is like £8, a very good price considering Cambodia charged $20 for all of their main attractions.

We reached the statue after a fun drive through some favelas. The statue was not that busy so we walked the remaining 100 meters to the top enjoying the amazing views as we climbed. The statue felt really special, it looked amazing and the aspect of it looking over the city of Rio just felt special. We took some photos and then took some standard silly ones that everyone seemed to be taking. The statue itself contains a small chapel and luckily the door was open during our visit, so we were able to take a seat and reflect on our lives. We then caught the mini bus back down to the city.

The weather has been amazing and the culture is awesome. So far we have absolutely loved Brazil, it's only been a short time but this country and continent feels special. It feels like it is going to be our best part of the trip. Once back in the city, we made another attempt at visiting Sugar Loaf Mountain, this time with plenty of cash. We had to walk again, about 30 minutes this time. We paid our fee and got in the cable car to the first of two mountains. The view was amazing, a completely different view compared to the Christ statue. We watched planes performing some sharp turns in order to land at he airport which is within the shadow of the mountains so not the typical straight landing we mostly experience . We then caught the second cable car to the second and highest mountain. The views were even better, we could see Copacabana beach and most of the city. We enjoyed an ice cream and wrote a message on a white board before catching the cable car back down.

We headed back to the hostel, again for a siesta and to get ready to go out again. We decided that we would go to one of the Samba places we had stumbled across the night before. We had dinner in this courtyard where about 150 Brazilians were enjoying the night. Everyone was sharing food and beer, we sat down and randomly picked something from the menu as it was all in Portuguese.

The waiter brought out a large round dish which contained some chorizo, pulled beef, roasted onions and potatoes, easily enough food for 4 people. Oops. We got stuck in and really enjoyed the meal, Brazilians were laughing, dancing, sharing food, Samba music in the background and the food tasted great. We were absolutely loving life, not believing how much we were enjoying Brazil.

We walked into a large square near to the restaurant and found a street stall that was selling a local cocktail for 5 realis (£1) and it contained so much alcohol it was like drinking a bucket in Thailand. With our drinks we walked around the square and found a 4 piece band playing some awesome jazz and the saxophonist was incredible. We then saw a large gazebo where a Catholic Mass was taking place with quite a large crowd. Even though we couldn't understand we sat and took it in. We were approached by a young Brazilian girl called Barbara who got talking to us and explained that she was a missionary from the north. She spoke really good English and we shared stories. We then swapped contact details, took a selfie together and she prayed for Isla and I which was really nice.

We walked back to our hostel, feeling completely at ease and relaxed. It was our last night in Rio and tomorrow we have a long (26 hour) bus journey to Iguazu Falls which is apparently more spectacular than Niagra Falls and Victoria Falls. If South America continues to impress us as Brazil has then it's going to be amazing.