West Ham Online

Hello everyone,

I'm off to spend just shy of 2 weeks in Rio, anyone been? Other than the usual tourist visits, anyone recommend anything?

I may take the boat over to Paqueta Island also.

Thanks

bobbymoore wrote: ↑25 Mar 2025, 14:59

I was more or less in the same seating as this guy

I was more or less in the same seating as this guy

It was mental, never heard an atmosphere like it. Fireworks, flares, all sorts. Was really good. Went to visit the Flamengo museum afterwards and bought myself a Flamengo top.

bobbymoore wrote: ↑25 Mar 2025, 14:07 Thanks to everyone who commented below. I got back yesterday. 

Did all the tourist stuff

Christ Redeemer
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Tijuca Forest
Barra Shopping
Santa Teresa Tram
Toured Centro (aquarium, musuem of tomorrow, art museum)
Walked Copacobana and Ipanema beach
Went around Leblon
Toured both Vidigal and Rochina favellas
Saw Flamengo VS Fluminese at the Maracana, Carioca Cup Final
Lapa

All in all, felt safe in the day time. We saw one girl screaming where she had her phone stolen from her. Also walking around Vidigal, there were many people with pistols and assault rifles whilst walking down the alleyways. But was all fine as I was with an authorised guide from the area.

Really enjoyed it. Will be going to Natal towards the end of the year.

Thanks to everyone who commented below. I got back yesterday. 

Did all the tourist stuff

Christ Redeemer
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Tijuca Forest
Barra Shopping
Santa Teresa Tram
Toured Centro (aquarium, musuem of tomorrow, art museum)
Walked Copacobana and Ipanema beach
Went around Leblon
Toured both Vidigal and Rochina favellas
Saw Flamengo VS Fluminese at the Maracana, Carioca Cup Final
Lapa

All in all, felt safe in the day time. We saw one girl screaming where she had her phone stolen from her. Also walking around Vidigal, there were many people with pistols and assault rifles whilst walking down the alleyways. But was all fine as I was with an authorised guide from the area.

Really enjoyed it. Will be going to Natal towards the end of the year.

Went to the Garotta de Ipanema restaurant/bar in Ipanema, where the Girl from Ipanema was written, and got pissed on several bottles of house white.

Did a favela tour which was given by a resident of Rocinha. Took us to his "slum" and it had all the mod cons and was in immaculate condition.

Went to a Carnival rehearsal in another favela called Manguerra

Hung on to the side of a tram as it crossed the Arcos de Lapa, just like in the film Black Orpheus.

Did Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer

Went to see Flamingoes v Coritiba at the Maracana. Goalless draw.

I was there for five days, but didn't see any shootings I'm afraid.

Loads of transvestites.

You’ll love it.

One fella I worked with got chatted up by a lady in a bar, was drugged and woke up 2 days later, everything stolen all his clothes even his socks. That he came back to work and told us about it was a bit odd, as we would regularly bring the incident up when we introduced him to new staff 

Another couple of doctors I worked with at the London were robbed and car jacked on an organised jeep safari.

But saying that, I'd still love to go. 

 

My brother-in-law went about 10 years ago. Had a great time. Did all the usual tourist stuff and loved it.....

Except, word of warning, one afternoon he went for a nice little dip in the sea and almost died (no exaggeration). Rio beach is known for hard rip currents. He got caught in one that quickly dragged him out. Silly bollocks kept trying to swim in towards it and it just knackered him out. Luckily he got spotted and a coast guard with a jet ski came to his aid. If you look out you'll see sections of the sea with no white breakers. That's sea going out. Avoid. If you do get caught in one swim sideways and eventually you will swim out of it. Silly bollocks had to have oxygen on the beach and spent that night in bed. Proper melt. But he did say he genuinely thought he was a goner. 

 

Everyone l know who's been to Brazil has been mugged
Stay safe 

One rule in Rio - never go in, without a skin.

 

Been to the carnival but I think it's too late for that now? Other than that The Christ Redeemer statue is worth a look. We also took a trip to Santos FC where Pele started his career.
Oh and the beaches for some good perving. Copacabana or Ipanema.

It's been about 15 years, but the Friday night street party in Lapa was fucking brilliant.

Leonard has been I believe.

Never been out that way, but personally if I was going to that part of the world for a few weeks I wouldn't only go to one place, Rio, I'd go to probs 3 different places, but each his own etc. Stay safe 'n' shit.