During our two-day travel lull in Cusco, we thought it would be a good idea to have a ‘vacation’ halfway through our ‘traveling’. (We know, we know, don’t judge us!) Rio would be that vacation. We found a nice, though somewhat pricey, hotel right on Copacabana beach, took a deep breath, and booked it for a week.
When we arrived at said hotel we were not disappointed. We were offered drinks at reception while we checked in. “You’re a little early? No problem! The rooms are ready and we gave you adjoining rooms.” We could get used to this! Adjoining rooms and we didn’t even have to ask! Then one of the hotel staff presented the boys with a free football. The stay was worth the money already!
We’re not sure about anyone else, but when we think of Brazil we think of football (among other things…just can’t think what they are right now). The most successful country in the history of the World Cup, Brazil lives and breathes football. So when we found out that the local team and currently leader in the rankings, Flamengo, were playing another Rio team, Fluminense (also known as the Rio de Janeiro, or Fla Flu, Classico) on the Sunday of our stay we had to go. Naturally, the hotel organized everything for us. Of course they did. We were starting to think this hotel was a mistake – how could we possibly go back from this!?
Since the game didn’t start until afternoon, we headed for the beach first. And what a beach it was. Beautiful, fine sand, warm water and perfect waves – big enough to be fun, but not so big to be scary. We were there for hours playing on the beach and in the waves.
After several hours of playing on the beach we picked up some lunch at a bakery in town and took it back to the hotel. The food was really good and we were able to watch all the European football games on the TV while we ate – of course we could, this is Brazil! Keep up!.
Then it was time for the game. We were picked up by a driver and a guide (can’t have one without the other, so we’ve learned) and driven to the famous Maracana stadium. Once there, we could sit wherever we wanted. As we were early we were able to get great seats near the action and more or less on the halfway line.
The match itself did not disappoint. There was a great atmosphere (standing and chanting the whole game), quality play (those boys were good) and a 2-0 win for the home team!
When we got back to the hotel, we all had chocolates on our pillows, which the boys were amazed by. These poor travelling boys are now officially spoiled for anything else.
We’d just started in Rio, but what a start it was! Running along Copacabana beach in the morning, football in the sand and playing in the waves in the afternoon, a great football match in the evening and a chocolate on your pillow at night. Are we in heaven!?
