Sunday Hippie Fair

The Hippie Fair in Ipanema is a tradition in Rio as well as being a lot of fun and a great place to pick up all kinds of crafts, from silver jewelry to glass earrings to T-shirts to leather goods to paintings anything you can think of.
Don't miss out on trying typical food from the state of Bahia and enjoyed watching the ladies, in traditional clothes, preparing the dishes. In particular try acaraje, a bun made of dried black eyed peas, fried in dende oil and filled with a shrimp sauce. Dende is an oil made from a palm tree from Northeastern Brazil.Praça General Ozório, Ipanema
Sundays, from around 9 to 6 pm

Arkana

A little bit out of the way, probably, this is a lovely little store full of Brazilian crafts.
Have look, I'm sure you will find something you like and fits your budget






Rua Humaitá 63, loja A
Humaitá
2226-7187

Shopping on the beach

Don't you think malls are boring? So, why not shop on the beach, you
will be amazed at all the things you can buy. Though of course you will be paying a bit more than elsewhere. After all, it is very hot and hard work.

How about a wrap that also works as a bag?


Or how about shrimp, individually packed, defrosted on the spot and grilled along with a cup of draft beer?
And what's more, you can actually pay for the shrimp (R$4.00 a skewer or less than $2.00) with a credit card?


And how about a tablecloth to enjoy at home after the beach?


or some fresh oysters, picked this morning in Buzios?

Should you have partied too much the night before
you could have a massage before lunch
and how about some beach toys for the kids?

Do you need a hammock to relax in or maybe a souvenir for friends at home?


Something like a xylophone at R$60?
Can you believe the guy actually has been selling these
on the beach for 20 years and makes a living with it?
Air cookies go good with beer and are definitely
not fattening



And of course, you need sunglasses
and suntan lotion

And to stay cool......
a new bikini or some watermelon?

Tired of shopping? Relax with your chess board......................

Geocaching

My favorite activity both in Rio and at home. When visiting Rio (and if you have a GPS) look for caches, you will discover incredible sites and views and you will meet some really cool people who like to have fun. Just like you!!!!!!!!!!!!
If this sentence has mystified you, have a quick look at www.geocaching.com. It will introduce you to a treasure hunt played worldwide. At the time of this writing there are 770.759 caches hidden, though in Rio there are only 28.
All you need is a GPS and a desire to discover new places

Above, the view from Pedra Bonita, great trail

My friend Monica who bravely hiked up Trilha dos Bem-te-vis, up to urca in search of treasure


And this one, looks like a turtle doesn't it, on a search for fortune and a wild deserted beach way out of Rio

People, people

Who are you?


Beautiful or not so much


Too hot or just right?



sporty or a bit lazy?


fun loving or maybe a bit removed?


a little roundish or sort of skinny?



a little older or sooooooooooooo young?
Discreet or not so?









Black or white?


It does not matter, everybody has a lovely time on the beach. It does not cost anything........just be careful with the sunburn.

A Mineira

In this restaurant you will find food typical of the state of Minas Gerais, which is very tasty and rather heavier than food from Rio, for example.
It is a help-yourself restaurant, with over 50 items, and for a very reasonable price you can eat to your hearts content.
In addition to the hot-food buffett which has dishes like chicken with ocra, any kind of beans and stewed meats, there is a beautiful salad bar, a beautiful dessert bar and a grill where you can request steaks, sausages, chicken hearts and so on.
Not only that, but there is a little keg where you can help yourself to a cachaça (Brazilian firewater) also made in Minas Gerais.
Give it a try, be brave, try something different!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You'll like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rua Visconde Silva 152
Humaita
Tel: 2266-0520

Open from 11.30 to 4pm and from 6pm to 11pm during the week, Fridays dinner until 12am, Saturday all day until 12am and Sundays all day until 9pm. Parking available

Parque Lage

This park is a lovely cool place to visit on a hot summer's day, and on any other day too.
The property used to belong to industrialist Henrique Lage who built a gorgeous mansion, with an indoor patio and pool, for his wife, the italian soprano Gabriela Bezanzoni around 1920.
The property was expropriated by "dictator" Getulio Vargas in the 60s.
Now it houses the School of Visual Arts Parque Lage.

It is well worth a visit for its lovely gardens, lakes, exuberant tropical foliage, aquarium and also for a great breakfast, around the pool, on the week-ends.
Entrance is free.

Rua Jardim Botanico 414, tel: 3257-1800