Tue 9th - Despite the temperature telling us its going to be 28+ with sun & clouds its still raining in Rio. We have been extremely lucky with our booked tours having fine days although overcast. Its also very humid. Despite the rain we caught the metro to see the famous Ipanema Beach, we had it to ourselves because of the rain. It was still nice to see it and walk along. I almost booked our hotel along Ipanema, so glad I didn't, its much quiter than Copacabana, and many less returants to choose from for dinner. In the evening it was beautiful strolling along the beach front, no wind, many people exercising with personal trainer, volley ball being played. They play a type of volley ball soccer that I enjoy watching, obviously you kick, head or chest the ball over the net.

Wed 10th - Wow, woke up to sunshine and no clouds! So rushed out at 6.30 to grab some photos. Today might be the day to get the bikini & mankini wet. We decided to catch the metro to to the end of the line to look at a surf beach called Tijucan Beach. The metro it great to catch and easy, Australia should take some hints. You buy a prepaid card for the number of trips wanted, any trip cost $4.80 Brazil Real ($A1.80c), no matter where you go, when the card is empty it's sucked into the machine for reuse or you can reload it, and you can share cards - easy. Anyway we got to the beach, and it was HOT, we just had a drink and a short walk, since there was hot much surf to watch we then headed back to Copacabana where it seemed to 10 degree cooler. I love walking along the back streets of these cities, you get to see a little of real life. It is evident that crime is really big here as ALL the apartment blocks are gated with hugh steal gates, often with guards, the schools look like prisons, and we even saw turn styles at the front door of one. I have just about remembered to say "obrigada" instead of "gracias" for thanks, but I still say "si" instead of 'Sim" for yes!

A quick coffee on the way back to our room, so much to fit in on our last day, a swim, a cocktail by the beach, final walk along the beach, shut the case and head off to the airport for the 28 hour trip home.

Well we were very lucky to get the swim in and a nice walk along the beach, dogding soccer balls, they do love their football (soccer) and its fun to watch people having fun, a couple of hours later and the clouds came and it was raining again. Sad to say there was no cocktail by the beach due the rain. We dodged the rain and headed out for our last meal in Rio.