August 8-10 & 18-20, 2015
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| Copacabana |
When in Brazil particularly in
Rio de Janeiro, it is a must that you have to visit the world’s famous Copacabana
Beach, known for its 4 kilometer long beach facing the Atlantic Ocean. When I searched
for hotels, I was trying to look for budget hotels/hostels or rental properties
but it’s quite far from Copacabana so I changed my search to beachfront areas.
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| Avenida Atlantica, Copacabana |
Most of the beachfront hotels are
pricey, taking advantage of the location. I compared prices, hotel categories
and amenities taking into consideration the accessibility to public
transportation as well. Luckily, one deal was offered to me for a 4-star hotel
at a price of 3-star and I suddenly grabbed the opportunity. A nice beachfront
hotel, close to restaurants and walking distance to shops.
I arrived in Rio de Janeiro one
Saturday evening, August 8, 2015. I was thinking of going out for a party yet I felt like
staying in my room since I didn’t have enough sleep during my 14-hour flight
from Dubai. I just went out at night; at the snack bars along the beach to grab
some food to eat (I had my burger at one of the joints a kilometer away from my
hotel). Nice ambiance; feeling the sea breeze and listening to a
Brazilian performer on his guitar.
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| the beach |
The following day, August 9, after my tour
at the Sugar Loaf Mountain, I joined with my group for lunch at one of the best
churrascaria at Ipanema. It’s a buffet restaurant wherein they have food
choices at the buffet table and all the meat fresh from the grill will be
carved right on your plate. So appetizing, their meats are all of good quality.
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| bikers, joggers and hikers on the road |
During Sundays they have the
hippie market at the park in front of the Churrascaria wherein you can buy some
souvenirs and other things at a bargain. The park is just a short walk to
Ipanema beach. I walk towards the beach to take a glimpse of what Ipanema was;
it was full of beach enthusiasts. Truly it’s high time for them to enjoy the
beach on weekends.
From Ipanema, I decided to take a
walk to my hotel rather than taking the bus or metro. It was a long walk like
3-4 kilometer distance; I didn’t feel any tiredness since I really enjoyed the
beach. Everybody also was enjoying it, some were just there sunbathing.
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| Havaianas outlet store |
In Copacabana, Avenida Atlantica
is a 6-lane road wherein 3 lanes going to Ipanema and the other 3 lanes on the
opposite. I was just amazed that during Sundays, the whole stretch of the
3-lane road coming from Ipanema is closed for vehicles. They are giving this to
the beach lovers, joggers, bikers and others who are walking on the area.
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| Hotel Astoria Palace |
When in Rio, you come to think of
the famous flip flop Havaianas. It is all over the place, even a pharmacy is
selling havaianas. You won’t ran out of souvenirs because just around the
corners are shops that are selling what you want. I had bought my souvenirs
just along our block at the back. They sell at a bulk prices. They are also
selling havaianas at a very low price and if you ask for discounts on bulk
buys, they are giving it too. I want to buy some more, unfortunately, I am only
allowed two luggage so I cannot add one for the flops itself.
Overall, it’s an advantage to
stay around the place so if you shop or party, it’s all just around the corner.
I stayed at Hotel Astoria Palace,
classified as 4-star at Booking.com but I was able to get a deal at a price
same as 3-star. Not really a big hotel, the location was beachfront, my room
was huge, and I got a twin bed room during my first 2 days of stay. When I came
back from Foz do Iguazu, they gave me an upgraded room, a king size bed and a
beachfront view. I am so thankful for that. Other thing, the breakfast buffet
was superb with a wide array of food choices. You will not leave the hotel on
an empty stomach in the morning.
All these made my stay at
Copacabana a memorable one.
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