Days 90-91: Rio part A

We left for Rio a little after 10 am. The drive (3.5 hrs not including stops) was good, it rained a little here and there but it was ok. We arrived in Rio and went to the apartment I booked on airbnb. Parking was scarce but we pulled into a spot right in front on the building, and paid the guy who was "working" that area of the sidewalk (yes, he was hustling, but he did help me park). 

So, let me be honest here: I booked the place in Copacabana on airbnb to save a buck, and it looked cute enough. In the picture it was described as romantic, and you could tell it was small, but all the reviews were good and the location looked to be pretty good (a few blocks from beach but walkable and on a busy street). 

The building was older but looked nice enough. We got the key from the door man. Went into the apt... and it was TINY. Like they had an extra janitor closet and converted it into a rental. Toilet in the shower. Cheryl insists the bed was a twin... it definitely wasn't a double. But, there was a/c, TV, so... ok. We cleaned up a little, and as Cheryl washed her hands, water POURED out from under the sink all over the floor. We looked under the sink and the pipe straight up wasn't connected!! I emailed the owner (who lived across the hall), and we headed out to the beach.

We walked down the beach to Leme; it was rainy but still pretty. We were looking at all the hotels, and discussed how the Copacabana Palace stood out for looking extra nice. We had dinner at a little place on the walk back to the apartment and crashed for the night. It was a horribly uncomfortable night; we were so crammed in the bed we couldn't move. We decided we might find somewhere else to stay the next 2 nights.

I had gotten a message from the owner that my car was parked in a spot where I would get a ticket at 8am the next day, so we set the alarm for 7am. We drove down to the beach where I was sure we'd be able to easily find a parking spot since it was so early. We drove a few blocks then finally found a spot to park. We get out of the car, and where are we parked? Right in front of the Copacabana Palace, of course. As some might know I tend to be a little extreme... I blame the Pisces/Aries cusp sign. So, basically, we went from staying at the cheapest place I could find to the most expensive hotel on the beach. We went in, reserved a room that wasn't yet available, gave them the car keys, and went out for breakfast (it was great). We walked back to the closet, packed our crap back up, gave the keys  back to the door man, and hoofed it back to the Copacabana Palace. 

Our room wasn't ready yet, but we were able to get the stuff we needed out of our bags and go to the spa to change clothes and get ready to go out on the beach. It was, of course, a spectacular place to get ready. I waited for Cheryl by the pool and talked to a mother & daughter from Toronto. 

When we went back to put our clothes back in the suitcase & head to the beach, our room was ready. The bell boy took us up and showed us around the room (Ikr)... it was beautiful. We went down to the beach where they had an area with chairs and umbrellas for the Palace guests. Seriously, I could have spent the night on this beach chair it was so comfortable. Cheryl got in the water; I only went in ankle-deep because it was FREEZING! We chilled for a couple of hours and then grabbed some lunch on the beach (Cheryl - pastels; me - shrimp) and of course had some agua de coco. 

When we got back to the beach there was a guy who does massage therapy at the hotel spa offering foot massages. On the beach. Omg. Cheryl and I each got an hour foot massage as we laid in the most comfortable chairs ever on the beach. Seriously? This had to be in my top 10 best days ever. It was amazing!!! 

The concierge made a reservation for us at a churrascuria that night; it was great, of course. This is what is known in the US as a Brazilian steakhouse... LOTS of delicious food, service was ridiculously great. We discovered this restaurant actually has opened locations in the US: Las Vegas, Atlanta, Miami I think... the name is Fogo de Chao; if you ever have an opportunity to eat there, I highly recommend it. A car from the hotel took us there and we took a cab back.

Sunday - walk to Leme on the beach.

See Christo?

Cheryl liked the little cacti growing on the side of the rocks

Monday- breakfast joint

Pool at Palace

In our comfy chairs. Yes, I have on a bathing suit.

Our pre-massage footsies

Why must there be pigeons...?

Dinner spot

And the room at the Palace- the pictures don't do it justice!