Rio de janeiro.................. ............

[shaun61]

a few months ago I started a thread asking if anyone had been and what advice people could give.

Me and my lad eventually got there - leaving on day of Man U game and getting back for Fulham game.

Just anote to thank all those who gave great advice and there was lots esp' RAVYDAVYGRAVY and his recommendation of bealocal.com

The Favela tour of Rochina was scary - got taken to to top of favela on back of motor bike - scary as fk !! Walked past a lad casually cleaning out a real live pistol but to be fair the locals were really friendly. The police raided/took over Rochina 4 days later and drug dealers were arrested, and loads of weapons were found. A great tour and shows how lucky we are.

Saw Ronaldinho for Flamengo in the Engenhau Olympic Stadium as maracana being redeveloped - you should see the state of it - its been knocked to hell but they've got 3 years to get it tip top. Flamego won 5-1 v Cruzeiro - brilliant atmosphere. Saw Vasco play in the Sulamericana Cup v Universiteriat of Peru. 2-0 down from 1st leg, they went 2-1 down at in 2nd half but peru had second man sent off and 10 man Vasco came back to win 5-1 and seal place in the semis. Only about 20,000 there but it was brilliant.
Last game saw Rio derby - Vasco v Botafogo and Vasco won 2-0 - about 30,000 there - at Engenhau.

Igassu Falls were just spectacular and words cannot amply describe their majesty.

City tour excellent tho Christ Redeemer covered by clouds so no view but view from Sugar Loaf was awesome.

Walked round Lagoa - 8km, popped in to Flamengo Sports Club and had photo taken with World Club cup won in 81 v Liverpool.

Got no hassle except 2 butch looking ladies of the night - saw very few sleeping rough and hardly any hassle from beggars.

Walk from Leme to Leblon fantastic - the futvol looked brilliant - some of the lasses playing were awesome and the beaches are superb tho the Atlantic is a bit like the North Sea.

Anyone thinking of going - GO - IT IS FKING BRILLIANT and the supposed problems are well over hyped.

Ta again for all advice given previously - its a trip that will live long in the memory.

[ravydavygravy]

That bike ride up the hill is a bit err fun. Fucking shit mesel.

Funnily enough I watched Flamengo V Cruzio. Ended up mortal as the beer men were back every ten minutes.

[Steve H]

Glad you enjoyed it

[gizmoganzee]

Sounds a belter like

[Arkle]

Glad you enjoyed it! The butch looking ladies of the night may well have been men at some point in their past (if not currently).

[BRMC]

Originally Posted by shaun61

a few months ago I started a thread asking if anyone had been and what advice people could give.

Me and my lad eventually got there - leaving on day of Man U game and getting back for Fulham game.

Just anote to thank all those who gave great advice and there was lots esp' RAVYDAVYGRAVY and his recommendation of bealocal.com

The Favela tour of Rochina was scary - got taken to to top of favela on back of motor bike - scary as fk !! Walked past a lad casually cleaning out a real live pistol but to be fair the locals were really friendly. The police raided/took over Rochina 4 days later and drug dealers were arrested, and loads of weapons were found. A great tour and shows how lucky we are.

Saw Ronaldinho for Flamengo in the Engenhau Olympic Stadium as maracana being redeveloped - you should see the state of it - its been knocked to hell but they've got 3 years to get it tip top. Flamego won 5-1 v Cruzeiro - brilliant atmosphere. Saw Vasco play in the Sulamericana Cup v Universiteriat of Peru. 2-0 down from 1st leg, they went 2-1 down at in 2nd half but peru had second man sent off and 10 man Vasco came back to win 5-1 and seal place in the semis. Only about 20,000 there but it was brilliant.
Last game saw Rio derby - Vasco v Botafogo and Vasco won 2-0 - about 30,000 there - at Engenhau.

Igassu Falls were just spectacular and words cannot amply describe their majesty.

City tour excellent tho Christ Redeemer covered by clouds so no view but view from Sugar Loaf was awesome.

Walked round Lagoa - 8km, popped in to Flamengo Sports Club and had photo taken with World Club cup won in 81 v Liverpool.

Got no hassle except 2 butch looking ladies of the night - saw very few sleeping rough and hardly any hassle from beggars.

Walk from Leme to Leblon fantastic - the futvol looked brilliant - some of the lasses playing were awesome and the beaches are superb tho the Atlantic is a bit like the North Sea.

Anyone thinking of going - GO - IT IS FKING BRILLIANT and the supposed problems are well over hyped.

Ta again for all advice given previously - its a trip that will live long in the memory.

Did you go to Porcao the Churrascaria??

Lived out there for 2 year and lived in Sao Conrado (the bay between Ipanema and Baha). We used to live opposite the Golf Club, which Rochina overlooks also.

Vasco is my team out there and still keep an eye out for their results from time to time. Moved back in 2000 so aint a clue what the new stadium in Rio is like.

[Shinpad]

Amazing city, if i was single I'd be there every chance I got.

[shaun61]

Originally Posted by BRMC

Did you go to Porcao the Churrascaria??

Lived out there for 2 year and lived in Sao Conrado (the bay between Ipanema and Baha). We used to live opposite the Golf Club, which Rochina overlooks also.

Vasco is my team out there and still keep an eye out for their results from time to time. Moved back in 2000 so aint a clue what the new stadium in Rio is like.

the new stadium is pretty average tbh - moat, running track and then pitch !

Vasco's ground is a belter like in the dodgiest area I've ever been in !!!
Vasco is my adopted team - Flamengo are too easy to support like Man U, but the sports complex they've got near the racetrack for their fans is awesome !!!

[shaun61]

Originally Posted by ravydavygravy

That bike ride up the hill is a bit err fun. Fucking shit mesel.

Funnily enough I watched Flamengo V Cruzio. Ended up mortal as the beer men were back every ten minutes.

aye, I am still having flashbacks about the bike ride !!

they don't sell beer in the grounds anymore but loads of beer sellers outside the ground so kind of defeats the object ??

One thing that struck me as pretty dodgy was that for the Rio derby, we got dropped off in a side road off the main road leading to the main gate for Botafogo fans. Up the side street were a group of 15 Vasco fans who were singing their hearts out with cans in their hands. All looked pretty handy, but they were surrounded by Botafogo fans who did nowt other than sing back at them. Must be a friendly rivalry as couldnt imagine it happening amongst us, Boro and mags

[RestlessNatives]

Originally Posted by shaun61

Igassu Falls were just spectacular and words cannot amply describe their majesty.

Totally agree with the above, absolutely breathtaking. Got a picture on my wall at the minute and whilst it is speactular it doesn't go anywhere near capturing what I felt when I saw it for real.