The taxi driver has planted the seed in our minds of taking a taxi to Saquarema (a two hour drive - excluding traffic). So we dragged out suitcases back out to flag down a yellow cabbie (the "cheaper" type). It was fairly easy to thumb one down and all seemed fine as he quoted us around R$180 (about £40). I even thought 'oh he's taking us on a nice tour of Rio to get fuel before we head out north…' Wonderful. Until we actually went under Christ the Redeemer and suspiciously sidled up alongside the lake near to Ipanema.
"Ipanema?"
"Saquarema"
"Ipanema…"
"Saquarema".
It would appear that Mr. Nice Taxi Man had 'misheard' drastically. Doh.
So of course he had thought, brilliant I'll take these nice young Americans for a ride (R$180 for a 1/2 hour journey in Rio is pretty steep). Renegotiation began.
Saquarema is a quaint town, almost typical, if there was a typical Brazilian town, with colourful doorways, large outstretched verandas hung with hammocks, open windows letting the warm air blow through the houses. The main square where the young parade themselves after sunset, the row of bars spilling onto the road selling their cooler-jacket clad beers. The white washed church perched on the rocky focal point was a disappointingly long was from our pousada - which was to be the deciding factor in a good/bad stay.
We were dropped by Mr. Nice/Crazy Taxi Man right outside, and to give him credit, he did ask about seven people for directions. True to Trip Advisor form it took a while for someone to come to the door but finally we were met by a wonderfully smily American girl - thank god! English speaking!
The pousada was simple but pleasant. The room had a shower with one temperature tap… and an overbed fan to cool the 30 degree heat. The beach and aquamarine Atlantic were literally out the door an across the road.
First activity on the to-do list: some beach lying.
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