FUN-travel: South America: Cusco, Peru to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
March 4, 2012 by Susan Clarke
Day 19 – Wednesday, February 22 – Cusco to Lima, Peru to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – big thick clouds w/sun – high 60’s
- 9:30 breakfast & all ready for check out
- Good News – take morning walk into plaza
- Really Good News – Carnaval parade through town w/over 3 dozen stilt walkers (5 to 25 yrs old) – adorned in colorful costumes w/marching band of drums & horns
- Good News – go shopping for my birthday present (money from my dad) find beautiful baby llama sweater on sale
- 2:00 pickup for airport – arrive 2:15 for 4:00 flight
- Bad News – flight delayed
- Good News – rescheduled on 4:55 flight
- Bad News – bag search for alcohol (we assume it’s a scam for them to get free booze)
- Good News – we lie & say “No” – poor search turns up nothing!
- Really Good News – no baggage police or gate Nazi’s in force
- Good News – ask to upgrade to biz class – told only $246 each
- Bad News – only one seat left
- Good News – nice, big terminal – relax & have beer & sandwich while waiting
- Good News – depart 9:50 pm
- Bad News – plane is full
Day 20 – Thursday, February 23 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – light wispy clouds, hot & humid
- Good News – arrive on time 5:50 am
- Bad News – really 2:50 am body time
- Really Good News – breeze through customs! & we are at Sea Level!
- Good News – get yellow taxi outside to hotel @ Ipanema – 40 minute ride
- Good News – arrive 7:30 am & room is ready
Carnaval Stilt Walkers
- Bad News – they charge us half day rate
- Good News – includes breakfast
- Good News – sleep for 5 hrs & take long walk on Ipanema beach
- Good News – Route 66 restaurant serves Mexican food & cold beer
- Bad News – not that good – order nachos – chips, meat, cheese whiz, little pico de gallo, Tabasco sauce on table
- Good News – Italian restaurant w/thin crust pizza across the street
- More Good News – nice wine – great people watching spot
BB-(Buyer Beware) – taxi in airport costs 99 reals – outside yellow cabs cost 75 reals