Alpha Hostel Rio de Janeiro

Hello to all. Well, have finally managed to get here at last. Flight was really good - food was excellent (but then I´ve never been much of a critic) -thanks BA. Little bit of turbulence coming into Sao Paulo but all good fun with four engines. Waited at SP for an hour while they hoovered under my feet and I struck up a conversation with an old lady from Rio (well, she was talking I nodded every fourth word or so) and managed to get myself invited to coffee (got her phone number...i work fast...

After our adventure in the Atlantic we said good-bye to Bahia and its great beaches, and set off to Rio de Janeiro (14 hours bus ride!).

Our search for a place to stay took us initially to Ipanema. Together with neighboring Copacabana it is mostly known for its powder sand beaches. We discovered a beautiful quarter, which resembled much of Paris modern living areas but also for the chic style of the people. Besides that, only the narrow and steep streets of Lapa have the air of Montmar...

Today were flying to Salvador but had a couple of chores still to do in Rio: 1) find Taj´s laundry, and 2) collect our air tickets from the mammoth booking process yesterday. After breakfast we split the tasks up. Taj hassled the hostel staff to call the laundry to find his clothes, while Olivia went down to Copacabana to see the travel agent. Waiting anxiously, Taj finally got the good news from hostel staff the laundry people had simply forgotten to deliver the last bag. PHEW! Luckily, by t...

After a restless night´s sleep due to the heat, we woke up to a pretty good breakfast, and we got ready for our day touring around Salvador. Salvador is in the north-east of Brazil and is known for its African-Brazilian culture. About 80% of the population has some African heritage! Salvador was the first colonial capital of Brazil, situated on the coast. The historic centre of Salvador has been a World Heritage site since 1985. We walked down to the Barra waterfront and strolled down to a fo...

"Do do dedede Do do dedede Do de do do do do da tall and thin and young and lovely the girl from ipanema comes walking and when she passses each one she passes goes ahh..." We didn't see the "Girl," or any of the ahh dental floss bikinis, but we did see a mile of volleyball playing men in speedos. Ahhh. Readers of TravelBlob.com: Our Double Class bus (R135,00 for 2 tickets) gave us party favors at the door (a small bag with Brazilian juice, and an assortment of crackers and cookies), had hot ...

We eventually arrived at Ilha Grande along with several other tourists and backpackers. The locals harass you as you leave the ferry as they want you to either stay at their hostel or rent a room in their house. While everyone else was busy sorting out their accommodation we headed straight to the nearest bar for a beer or two - well it had been a long ferry journey! We stayed at the Alfa Hotel directly opposite the ferry jetty and I have to mention it as it was clean, friendly, excellent loc...

we are in rio now. it's raining and sugarloaf mountain wasn't very great.... it was all fogged in... we are staying at alpha hostel in Botafago...