We packed ready to leave and left our luggage in reception while we went to visit a shopping mall in Leblon Beach. It was a very upmarket affair with doormen at the entrance opening doors for the shoppers and hailing taxis for them. The Christmas decorations are everywhere now, on the hotel walls, in the streets and in the shops.
There were a few reasonable priced shops but mostly the big price tag names like Armani and Burberry, so we weren't tempted to buy much as we were down to our last few reals. We spent them on coffee and empanaos, a bit like a small pasty.
The weather had turned on this last day and there was heavy mist and it was a bit grey, though still 27 degrees.
The weather had turned on this last day and there was heavy mist and it was a bit grey, though still 27 degrees.
Ipanima beach from the shopping mall
The plan was to finish our blogs and have a meal out before being picked up at 8 o' clock to go to the airport. The problem was that it had started to rain and neither Lynn nor I could get a signal from the hotel's Wifi so we watched Saturday Night Fever on the TV instead.
We said good bye to Rio in the rain and headed for the airport. I have loved every thing about Brazil but I have to say that at the airport they have made an art form out of queuing. It's a bit like the lines at Disneyland for the most popular rides. My cold was in full flow, literally and I had lost my voice so I was not in the best of moods. I can't imagine how they are going to cope with the crowds arriving for the World Cup, let alone the Olympics. Our guide said that there is massive investment in the infrastructure and we did see lots of building going on. But it seems that corruption in high places means that everything gets done slowly and cosst the people three times more than it should. Alex suggested that to jump the biggest queue I should do what a Brazilian would do and ask for a wheelchair. However I didn't feel that having a cold and losing my voice qualified me for invalid status. That said the flight left on time and now we just wanted to get home.
It has been a wonderful holiday, so many highlights. The great weather, the culture and history of Argentina, the natural grandeur of Iguazu Falls and the spectacular sights of Rio, the fun dancing at the samba and tango clubs and the warmth, friendliness and excellent service from the local people. Even the loos are spotless and this is important to us ladies, the only exception to this was in MacDonalds where we nipped in in desperation.
So thank you for all the laughs, Lynn. I will always remember the dressing up at the Sambadrome, the drenching on the boat ride and the massive cocktails and their consequences.
The End
We said good bye to Rio in the rain and headed for the airport. I have loved every thing about Brazil but I have to say that at the airport they have made an art form out of queuing. It's a bit like the lines at Disneyland for the most popular rides. My cold was in full flow, literally and I had lost my voice so I was not in the best of moods. I can't imagine how they are going to cope with the crowds arriving for the World Cup, let alone the Olympics. Our guide said that there is massive investment in the infrastructure and we did see lots of building going on. But it seems that corruption in high places means that everything gets done slowly and cosst the people three times more than it should. Alex suggested that to jump the biggest queue I should do what a Brazilian would do and ask for a wheelchair. However I didn't feel that having a cold and losing my voice qualified me for invalid status. That said the flight left on time and now we just wanted to get home.
It has been a wonderful holiday, so many highlights. The great weather, the culture and history of Argentina, the natural grandeur of Iguazu Falls and the spectacular sights of Rio, the fun dancing at the samba and tango clubs and the warmth, friendliness and excellent service from the local people. Even the loos are spotless and this is important to us ladies, the only exception to this was in MacDonalds where we nipped in in desperation.
So thank you for all the laughs, Lynn. I will always remember the dressing up at the Sambadrome, the drenching on the boat ride and the massive cocktails and their consequences.
The End
Good bye Rio
Look out for our next adventures in Borneo in March 2014!
