Highlights from Our Around the World Trip to Brazil – São Paulo and Ipanema

Update December 17, 2024

Nearly 15 years ago we embarked on our around the world trip. As our One World Airline Ticket started in London we had to fly from Amsterdam-Schiphol to London-Heathrow. Michael had researched the perfect route during many hours of meticulous preparation so that after our extensive travelling we would become frequent flyers. The flight on British Airways was very pleasant and we left the plane when landing in São Paulo.

Having lost my original blog from back then I discovered that a lot of entries still exist on Facebook. I had my blog entries posted automatically to my social media account. So luckily here is what I was able to recollect: 

January 30th, 2010, Brazilian BBQ

After a mixed night out (cosy bar first (yeah), club with house music later (yuck)), we had a good nights sleep after travelling and the preparation stress at home.

After having completed our beauty sleep, Chris´ colleague Rafael picked us up for a nice brunch. Chris and Rafa had met on a company training week in Santa Barbara in California in 2007. We enjoyed Brazilian specialities during brunch together with Eva and Patrick, a mixed German-Brazilian couple living in São Paulo. Eva is actually from Herne (neighbouring town of Dortmund, hometown of Chris). As we all know the world is a village! 

After stuffing us with all the sweet goodies on offer, we headed to the supermarket to buy some beers – since we were invited to a surprise birthday party.

It turned out to be an open air BBQ with lots of meat and beer – thanks Cleide for making us feel so welcome!

February 1st, 2010, Welcome to Ipanema beach

After a short flight from São Paulo we arrived in Rio de Janeiro where we stayed in the flat of our Dutch friend, Hubert, close to IpanemaBeach. Hubert is from Amsterdam and spent a couple of weeks in the sun offering us his spare guest room.

The beach of Ipanema is after Copacabana the most popular beach in Rio. It is a beautiful sand beach and at both ends there are iconic mountains you cannot take your eyes off! Of course the famous song automatically comes to your mind: The girl from Ipanema.

February 2nd, 2010, 2nd day in Ipanema

Just finished with breakfast on the 14th floor with a view over Rio. Now ready to do a little work-out to stay in shape and then off to the beach again.

As you can see we have a very busy day!

Update December, 17, 2024: We were in Brazil with our friend Gustavo whom we had gotten to know when travelling to Madrid in 2009. He invited us and a group of other Spaniards to join him and celebrate carnival in his hometown Vitória!

Read more in the second part: Around the World Trip: Exploring Rio de Janeiro’s Icons