As I reflect on my whirlwind trip to Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval in 2020, I'm filled with a sense of awe and excitement. It was a week filled with vibrant colors, pulsating music, and unforgettable experiences that will stay with me forever.

*First things first!*

After a long flight, we indulged in a hearty local food before participating in carnaval blocos [street parties].

Day 1: Embracing the Carnaval Spirit

Touching down in Rio, I could feel the excitement pulsating through the air. After settling into our cozy accommodation, just a few blocks away from the bustling Copacabana and Ipanema areas, we wasted no time diving headfirst into the festivities. The streets were alive with the infectious beats of samba music and the vibrant energy of locals and tourists alike. It felt like the whole city was ready to explode with joy, and we were right in the midst of it all, ready to soak up every moment of the Carnaval spirit.

Day 2: Taking it Easy No rush, no fuss – just good vibes. That's what I told myself as I set out to explore Rio. First stop: Christ the Redeemer. It’s been on my bucket list since I was young. The view from up there was nothing short of breathtaking. There’s a chapel behind the statue and I remember whispering a prayer of gratitude.

*Incredible views from the top!*

Getting here early is key because it can get really crowded.

I think I could've spent the whole day just chilling in our next destination— the Botanical Garden.

*"Just here for the Aperol Spritzes and views."*

We found this cute little spot for brunch, surrounded by trees and flowers, and I swear, that Aperol Spritz tasted like sunshine in a glass.
📍Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro

You can see the Christ the Redeemer statue [at the top right corner] from the garden. Isn’t that amazing?!

For dinner, I don’t remember how we ended up at the restaurant below but I’m glad we went there. It must have been close to the street parties/bars that we found online.

*It’s Frida!*

The food here is great! The interiors feature tons of Frida Kahlo’s portraits & paintings.
📍Contemporâneo Lapa

Day 3: Samba, Samba, Samba! After another night of partying, we decided to do a breakfast buffet nearby. It was raining and we were worried that it would affect the samba parade. But then came the night, and with it, the Carnaval festivities and great weather! It literally stopped raining about an hour before the parade. Words can't do justice to the sheer spectacle of it all – the floats, the costumes, the music – it was a feast for the senses, and I was living for every moment of it. If there is Super Bowl in the US, Brazil has the samba parade competition. Although I think, the latter is more fun to watch!😝It’s grand, and people put in all their hearts, blood, sweat and tears to win the championship. Imagine preparing all-year round!

📍Sambadromo. Beija-Flor samba school represent! Our favorite!

Attending the parade was one of the longest parties I’ve ever been to. It started at 9PM and ended at 5AM! But the energy of the crowd nor the amount of people in Sambadromo dwindled.

Day 4: Beach Bumming at Ipanema

We woke up late this time and we decided to try Brazil’s national dish— feijoada, which is a black bean stew that is brewed with a variety of salted and smoked pork and beef products, at Casa da feijoada.

Nothing is better to do after a great meal than to chill at the beach. I'm pretty sure I left a piece of my heart on Ipanema Beach. The sand, the sea, the sun – it was pure bliss. We spent the day lazing around, people-watching, and occasionally dipping our toes in the water. We also got full body massage where my friend was labeled as someone with ‘bunda grande!’ 😝 As the sun began to set, the beach transformed into this epic party scene, with music pumping and drinks flowing. It was like the whole city came alive, and I was right in the middle of it. I won’t forget this family that sells Caipirinhas and rents out beach chairs. They were so friendly and even offered to watch our stuff while we were there. Also, the dad made the best maracuja [passionfruit] caipirinha.

📍Ipanema beach. Just me after some caipirinhas, acai, and great vibe conversations with the locals.

Day 5: Lost and Found on the Trails Feeling adventurous, we decided to tackle the trails of Pedra do Telegrafo. Let's just say we may have taken a wrong turn or two along the way, but you know what they say – getting lost is half the fun. And when we finally made it to the top, the view was absolutely worth it and of course, the photo! Rio stretched out before me, a vibrant mosaic of colors and life.

*Hang in there!*

You have to come there early otherwise you’ll have to wait about two hours to get this shot!
📍Pedra do Telegrafo

As the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the end of yet another splendid day in Rio, my bestie and I decided to wrap up our adventures with a culinary escapade at a traditional churrascaria—. And let me tell you, it was like stepping into a carnivore's paradise. The moment we walked in, the tantalizing aroma of grilling meats wafted through the air, igniting our appetites and setting the stage for a memorable dining experience.

Together, we dove into an assortment of mouthwatering steaks, each one expertly prepared and bursting with flavor. With every tender bite, we found ourselves immersed in a symphony of tastes, our taste buds dancing in delight. Oh and those Amazonian nuts were unforgettable! But the highlight of the evening came unexpectedly when my bestie, in a moment of exuberance, accidentally shattered a wine glass while yelling "Mazel tov!" – a hilarious mishap that added an extra dash of spontaneity to our meal.

As we sat there, relishing every moment and sharing laughter over the broken glass incident, a sense of contentment washed over us. Rio had been generous with its offerings throughout the week, and this culinary extravaganza was the cherry on top of our unforgettable adventure. It was a meal that would be etched into our memories, a fitting end to a journey we would cherish for years to come.

📍Escadaria Selarón. Can you find Vincent? 🤭

Day 6: Art, Dance, and Dining Adventures!

Our sixth day in Rio was an absolute blast, packed with excitement from morning 'til night. We kicked things off with a visit to the colorful Escadaria Selarón, where every step felt like a journey through a rainbow. We snapped pics, laughed, and soaked up the vibrant vibes of this iconic spot.

Afternoon brought a change of pace as we traded our cameras for dance shoes and hit up a samba class. Let me tell you, we may not have been pros, but we sure had a blast shaking our hips and trying to keep up with the rhythm. It was sweaty, it was hilarious, and it was the most fun we'd had all week!

*Hips don’t lie!*

It was harder than I thought but definitely fun!
📍Samba Fit

*Samba queen!*

My friend ready to compete. The instructor of this place was very friendly.

With our dance moves somewhat refined (or so we liked to think), we headed to Restaurante y bar Garota de Ipanema for dinner. This place had all the vibes – dim lights, smooth tunes, and some seriously delicious food. I'm still dreaming about that fish dish I had; it was like a party in my mouth!

*Best fish dish.*

I know it’s a steak place but that fish dish that we ordered was just unforgettable!
📍Restaurante y bar Garota de Ipanema

As we chowed down and laughed about our dance floor mishaps, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the awesome day we'd had. From art to dance to dining, it was a day full of adventure and laughter that I'll never forget.

*Not just serving meals but also history! #serve*

Trust me, we kept playing the song over and over after this meal.

Day 7: A Calm Before the Storm

As I boarded the plane home, there was a sense of tranquility in the air, like the calm before the storm. Little did I know, the world was on the brink of unprecedented change. But in that moment, all I could think about was the incredible journey I had just experienced in Rio.

One last picture on my way to the airport. Seems like the weather is a premonition of what lies ahead.

Little did I know, the world outside was about to change in ways none of us could have imagined. But in that moment, all I could do was cherish the memories I had made and hold onto the hope that one day soon, I'd return to this magical place. Until then, Rio, obrigado for the memories – they'll keep me going until we meet again. 🫶🏽

Experiencing the Vibrant Rhythms of Rio: A Carnaval Adventure

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