It begins……..

The Grande Marina Palace in Rio was spectacular.

The roof top pool just 'topped' it off.

Rio is another world. We arrived in good time on the Saturday afternoon and checked into the hotel. Luxury. I especially enjoyed the big fluffy white pillows. Leblon beach stretched out ahead and to each side, spread with bronzed bodies, colourful lives emanating heat that even the turquoise sea could not subdue. Strolling through the throngs and thongs we bared the beach and sussed out the lay of the land. Lots to assess. I think generally I will need to return to Rio again to make up my mind for sure.

In the evening we were due to meet Mum and Michael. Their flight had been delayed so we ate at the first floor restaurant of the hotel (perfect beach viewing height) and narrowly missed paying R$100 each for jazz. Which I'm sure would have been lovely but as that would have doubled the dinner bill we thought we'd better extricate ourselves from the situation as soon as possible.

We waited at the funky bar downstairs. The capirinhas (cocktails made with local sugar based spirit cachaca) were potent. One down (and after wine at dinner) Mum and Michael arrived and so we just rolled another few on out. Some wonderful (wonderfully drunk) Brazilians came to talk to us and really got into the carnival spirit (mad outfits, copious drinks, swaying dance moves).

The next morning was my worst hang over of the holiday - despite the all-nighters to come.