Thursday, June 6, 2019
Rio de Janeiro
Last Day in Brazil.
Bom Dia on our last day in Brazil!
Llew kept saying, after a long lie-in, that we should take it easy today. We had flights at 8.30 and 9.20 pm respectively—his to New York, mine to Bombay via London. This left us the entire day to play with, but we had done so much walking yesterday that we really wanted to get some rest today.
Accordingly, we finished up the last of the muesli and yogurt we had bought and ate up all the bits and bobs (such as bread rolls from the aircraft) that we were carrying. We said bye to Rosana who left to teach for the day and to thank her for her hospitality. Then we took our showers and finished up our packing. Our idea was to get out only after we were all set to leave. We decided to call an Uber to get us to Galeoan airport at 5.00 pm for our respective flights.
Off to Largo do Machado:
As Llew had not walked in the area to the opposite side of Gloria and Lapa (i.e. Largo do Machado), I suggested we stroll along there. We went right by the Windsor Florida Hotel where my conference had been held the last tome I had visited Brazil, four years ago. Then we continued walking on what happened to be a really terrific day with full warm sunshine. So warm, in fact, that I needed a cold drink and we stepped into a Subway to get a cold diet one.
Off on a Bus Ride to Vermelha Beach:
As Llew had not had a chance to see Vermelha Beach, I suggested we take the 107 bus and get there. This lovely drive that rounds several pretty bays and marinas in the city as it heads to Urca is wonderful during the day. When we had done it, two nights ago, Llew had really seen nothing of it. This time, we received a far better idea of the beauty of this city from a very pretty bus ride.
Relaxing on Vermelha Beach:
We spent a little while on Vermelha Beach which is really my favorite little hidden spot in Rio. It is a beautiful little cove created by the picturesque protection of rocks that makes it seem like a secret hideaway. There are always people enjoying this beach: swimming, sunbathing or kayaking. We took a few pictures as we watched the cable cars ascend into the heights of Morro do Urca and the Pao do Acuar (Sugarloaf Mountain).
Time for a Fab Buffet Luncheon:
Then it was time for us to have a wonderful last lunch together and spying a restaurant attached to the military and naval training schools that are concentrated in this area, we decided to go there for lunch. It turned out to be a really vast buffet lunch from which food was sold by weight. There was everything you could want to eat from a variety of salads to rice, pasta, pizza and meats of all sorts. We took excellent beef olives, fish (cod) stew, roast pork, roast beef, salads made with hearts of palm as well as tabouleh and quinoa. As if that were not enough, there was a vast offering of desserts and puddings so that we returned to the buffet later to get a variety of them: chocolate cake, passion fruit flan, cheesecake, you name it..I had my last caprinha and Llew had a last glass of red wine before we parted. Everything was bitter-sweet. We wanted to enjoy the last bits of our holiday and yet we were so sad to have to separate again. The meal also turned out to be extremely reasonable. For a very delicious repast with drinks and dessert, we paid only $30 for the two of us.
Back on the Bus to Gloria:
It was time for us to take our last looks of the beautiful rugged coastline of Rio and to jump on the 107 bus again that took us back to Gloria. Again, we enjoyed a very peaceful and scenic drive until we spied the Church of Our Lady of Glory perched on Gloria Hill which was our landmark to let us know that we had to alight.
We crossed the street to our road and got back home for really quick cat naps which both of us found very refreshing. Soon, the hands of the clock crept closer to our hour of departure and putting our things together, we called for an Uber to take us to the airport. Following Rosana’s instructions, we locked the door and slid the key back into her flat under her door. We’d had a very comfortable stay in her flat that was very centrally located and were very sorry that we did not have too much time with her as her work and evening schedules were so hectic.
Off to the Airport:
The Uber came as expected and soon we were on our way. The ride was long and dense with traffic but an hour later, we were at Galeaon airport and after Llew checked in with American Airlines, he walked with me to British Airways where I checked in too. We had about an hour together to find something that we could buy to finish of the few Portuguese reals in our pockets. We ended up buying phone cables as we always need them as they wear out so easily.
And so finally the time came to say goodbye. I walked with Llew all the way to his gate and saw hm off—let’s just say there were tears. And then he was off and I made my way to my gate for my flight which was leaving about an hour later. Sadly, I had left my umbrella on my trolley but despite trying to make attempts to retrieve it, I did not succeed.
My flight was comfortable and I ended up watching the second season of Fleabag and becoming introduced to Killing Eve (both of which are, unbelievably, written by the same person—Phoebe Waller-Bridge (whose mother, I discovered, a day later, is a good friend of my London-based friend Rosemary (Roz). I really did like it very much and can see why it is such a hit. I also managed to get some sleep on the aircraft—for about four and a half hours.
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