We arrived at GIG about 7am and arranged a car service (which we later discovered was about twice the price of a metered cab) and checked into Hotel Bonita in Ipanema by about 10am. Turned out we had "eaten" 3 nights of our accommodations not being able to sell them off, however our room was not ready, so we negotiated one night's refund.
Park General Osorio, Ipanema farmer's market.
Ipanema beach.
Sunrise in Rio.
There are more fitness classes and gym equipment in public parks and beaches here than in my gym!
The sandcastles were quite impressive in Copacabana.
I wandered down to the Copacabana Fan Fest.
This massive tent is the official store!
We then headed up to Christ the Redeemer.
We were privileged to hear live music on our transport.
Estádio Maracanã (home to Fluminense FC, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo).
We were lucky to have witnessed Nate McCormick propose to his lovely new fiancé.
Estádio Maracanã
Amy suggested that we rent bikes (free for the first hour, and ~$2.50/day). The only problem is, it's next to impossible locating a single operational bike. Jim and I gave up and headed to fan fest for pre-gaming US-Germany, but Amy was eventually rewarded for her persistence.
Jim and Daniella.
Inside Rio Fan Fest in Copacabana.
US-Germany (0-1). Sadly we lost, but happily Portugal didn't close the gap on goal difference so we're through!
Ronaldo!
New Colombian friends...
German friends...
More Colombians...
And Brazilians!
Traveling like the locals on the subway again.
Our viewing option at Hotel Bonita.
Lapa with Brian & Tatiana.
And more new Colombian friends.
Lapa clubbing (we actually bailed before going in).
Tatiana and Hernando.
Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain)
The cable car ride.
Yes, that's Cristo way out there.
Mico Sagui Monkeys.
Urca military base and World Cup training base for the English national soccer team.
We can even see the Fan Fest in Copacabana from up here!
I met Figo!
Colombians are everywhere!
Paco look-alike.
More street corn...I think Amy had a better experience than what Jim and I had in Natal.
Massive in-ground garbage bin!
Guanabara Bay.
Back in classy Ipanema.
We had a "Journey to the Games" BBQ at the hostel and disco night at Lapa Local, courtesy of Merritt Hopper. We were even followed by a news crew who reported a
story (click on this
link to see it!)on the wacky American World Cup fanatics!
Brian and THIS guy "Frenchie" who was everywhere!
Lapa Loca (from our private balcony)
Live Samba! ("The Brazilians put the samba in sambada's going to get laid tonight" - Coby)
This couple was teaching all the cool moves!
Some folks probably should have gone home earlier than they did.
Skyping dad from Post 8 in Ipanema Beach, Rio.
Ipanema Beach!
Brazil v Chile...what a nail-bitter!
Fortunately, Brazil pulled it off in PKs!
Back to the beach!
Saying goodbye to my Colombian pals!
Last night w/the crew.
General Osorio artisan's market! (great quality and prices!)
Last time on the beach.
Happened across Savannah again! Small world!
Confusing traffic patterns, be sure to always look both ways!
GIG airport does it up right!
Waiting 45 minutes for our bags at at GRU airport.
Thankfully got upgraded on the 9+ hour flight home!
Arrived home on Monday just before the first kick-off after a kind Delta agent kindly booked me on a slightly earlier flight. Sadly, I been suffering the "Brazilian flu" for the last week in addition to World Cup fan withdrawal ever since!
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