Flights #5 and #6 (MANAUS-SAO PAOLO-RIO DE JANEIRO)

Flights #5 and #6 (MANAUS-SAO PAOLO-RIO DE JANEIRO)

It was another early morning in the Ourfullstop household, 1:00 a.m. to be exact.  Our flight from Manaus took us at 4:00 a.m.. to Sao Paulo, which took a few hours.  Then from there an easy 45-minute flight  to Rio de Janeiro, but before we left, I noticed a storm in the distance and remembered today was Friday the 13th.  I’m not usually superstitious, but years ago I would never fly on this date.  The flight was a little bumpy getting in and out of the clouds, but the view from from up above was perfect.  We finally arrived around 5:00 p.m. and had about an hour to catch the sun setting.  So we spent half of the amount of a cab and caught the bus to our hotel.  Our hotel is right off of the ocean and is near the famous Ipanema beach.  We watched the sun go down over the mountains and islands of this breathtaking city and it was almost as impressive as the thousands of people enjoying the beach until way after it finally set.  Adults, babies, and everything in between were splashing, mingling, and enjoying the start of one of the biggest holidays on the planet. Today is the kickoff of Carnival and it is also the city’s 450th anniversary.  We are surrounded by thongs, speedos, and people who sport them well.  The Brazilians have no shame and they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.  After the sunset we stumbled into a restaurant that looked welcoming.  We split a couple of appetizers and had a couple drinks.  We should have called it a night after that.  Instead we decided to get dressed and go out and dance the night away.  I should have known this was a bad idea when we both fell asleep on the cab drive there.  We got out at the festivities and walked a couple of blocks only to get in another cab to take us back to our hotel.  The weekend has just started and we will be ready after a good night’s rest….

 

– A.

9 Responses

  1. Grant Tolman

    What hotel are you staying at?

  2. Happy Valentines Day AND Carnival to you both!

  3. Arpoador Inn in between Copacabana and Ipanema. Thanks Jerry Happy Valentines!

  4. HAPPY VALENTINES TO ANTHONY AND DENISE :-)

  5. Gina Pasalich

    Copacabana and ipanema, two great songs, how fun!!! Have a blast, can’t wait to see your pics from Carnival, you can spare us the sequin thong though!!!

  6. Enjoy, Happy Valentines Day!!!!

  7. happy V-day to you both. Have a great time.

  8. Some Rio favorites–If you have time, Carlota is an incredible little restaurant in Rio–in a cute house in the Leblon neighborhood. Also Rio Scenarium–three story dance club filled with crazy antiques in the Lapa neighborhood. All fairly close to Ipanema. Am living vicariously though your web posts as the snow and temperature falls in Chicago!

  9. omg you are now the GIRL FROM IPANEMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad you survived the Friday the 13th flight and how awesome to be in Rio for Carnival! Be careful says your jewish mother me back in NY. Have fun.

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