Rio de Janeiro...Soccer World Cup & Olympics on my mind...

Have you started planning your next Olympic trip yet...? Well, don't worry I haven't either :)

There will be not only one excuse to travel to Rio now, there are two big events coming up, are you ready?!

I visited Rio in 2009 with my best friend. I wish we had some more time to explore the city, though 2 days were enough to see the basic tourist attractions.

The city has bad reputation of crime but so do many other cities; I wouldn't go to Harlem in NYC or Block M in Jakarta...You just have to know where you can go during the day and night...We were at the Copacabana beach one day and heard some machine gun noise but didn't really pay much attention as we were loving the beach and the sound of waves. Later on, up in the Amazon, one group of American tourist fellows told us that was one of the serious shootings in a while in Rio. Police had attacked the drug gang in the suburb nearby. This happens in the areas where tourists shouldn't go. Police and the friendly locals are protecting tourists and telling them where you shouldn't go. But you better not trust them, just use your brains and senses...simple as that!

The City of Rio and police in cooperation has already started the 'cleaning' of the city. You can only imagine how many people there will be in 2014 when the next soccer world cup is held in Rio...not forgetting the Olympics in 2016! As the slum areas are so close to the city and tourist areas, police will have lots to do before they can make sure the city will be totally safe during the games.

Rio Janeiro has its own charm, beautiful Copacabana and Ipanema beaches the beach boulevards with the small Barracas (beach kiosk) selling drinks and snacks, people having relaxed dance party on the streets, boys playing soccer and volley ball on the beach, locals having relaxed time with their families in the cafes and small restaurants while tourists are shopping in the markets, shopping centres and even on the beach from the local sarong seller...sipping cocktails or the well-known caipirinhas, some delicious olives and cheece bits by the hotel pool isn't the bad option either...

Here are some photos to help your planning...


Ipanema Beach

Copacabana Beach

Barraca with the Água de Côco drinks straight from coconuts, YUM!

Street party

All I can say of these local dishes: the YUMMIEST!!

The future Ronaldo...or Kaka?

Cheers!!! :)

Daydreaming Part II

Had some time today to 'practise' my Daydreaming...here are the results:


Travel Destinations:

• South Africa; only a couple of months ago I could have written all about soccer soccer soccer and everyone would have gone wild...But now after the World Cup it's time to concentrate on the main travel sites in South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa's Los Angeles and Johannesburg, South Africa's New York as they describe the cities on New York Times...AND the Safari with the big five: Lion, Leopard, Black Rhino, Elephant and Cape Buffalo -must see! The country offers world-class golf courses and wineyards, that's all what matters ;)

• Spain; Could continue the soccer theme, but let's forget it for now...I'm thinking sun, tapas, sangria, siesta and guitar music. I'm sure you can find these elements everywhere in Spain. And of course the cultural side of Spain as well, Pablo Picasso and Antoni Gaudi; these men with their incredible talents, wow! I would love to do a roadtrip through the small villages, practise my college Spanish, haha- Si Si Senor!

• Greece; My all time favourite Greece, ah! Flying to Athens, visit the Olympic and historic sites and continueing island hopping through Naxos, Santorini, Paros, Ios etc. The whaite and blue houses, tsaziki, greek salad, moussaka and souvlaki YUM! And of course a glass of Ouzo...I've been in Lefkas twice and would love to go back any day, love this little island. It has some beautiful and interesting stories behind...

• The Alps; "Edelweiss, Edelweiss, Every morning you greet me, Small and white, clean and bright, You look happy to meet me." The views of the Alps are breathtaking, calming at the same time. Just seeing the white tips of the mountains and green fields below with cows and sheep pasturing, white houses with dark wooden roofs make me feel 'I'm home'. I love the Austrian Alps the most as I spent the first 13 years of my life every summer 5 weeks in Austria...Not even mentioning the skiing possibilities in Austria, St. Anton being my favourite, Ischgl, Obertauern and Zell am See coming close behind...mmmm...

Oh where should I start booking my trips...? A HUGE dilemma!