EC-Rider Travels

Well today has been a bit of a slow one. Both Analida and I slightly feeling our age after drinking and dancing the night away, not to mention climbing a mountain – possibly only quite sensible just after COVID!

However, the sun was out for almost the first time since I have been in Rio, so in true Brazilian style we headed for the beach. We were not alone! Everyone goes to the beach when it is sunny and particularly so at the weekend. On a Sunday, one side of the six-lane, dual carriageway running along the beach front is closed, so everyone can cycle, run and walk along the road. The beach is well set up with showers, loos, towels, changing rooms, deck-chairs, umbrellas and endless bars and restaurants – so you don’t need to bring a thing! And they don’t …… including not much of a bikini. No one wears anything more than an incy-wincy – regardless of age or indeed size and let me tell you the latter is quite something to behold. Macdonalds and KFC have unfortunately hit Brazil. Having said that, there is a lot of activity on some of the beaches, which again are so well catered for with volley-ball nets, outdoor gyms etc and everyone is apparently super health-conscious – not immediately obvious!

We went for a lovely walk along Ipanema and Leblon beach where everyone seemed to be having such a happy time and then headed for the mall as I was still in search of a dress I could squidge in my suitcase. Despite endless dress shops, it soon became clear it was not going to be found in Rio! The fashion here is quite something, in fact Analida admitted she has never bought clothes here!

We had plans for a delicious sushi dinner but were too tired!