Everyone claps on the beach immediately after each glorious sunset

“Young and tanned and toned and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking. And when she passes, each one she passes goes Ahhhh.”

If you don’t know the song ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ then you obviously haven’t spent enough time listening to music in elevators. This song was composed by Tom Jobim in a bar in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, which is now named after his famous tune. However the food there is a little expensive and nothing inspirational for future musicians so I only recommend a moments thoughtful reflection at the entrance….

I may not make everyone go, “Ahhh”, when I walk past, but I have become something of a boy from Ipanema, by moving into an apartment there a few weeks ago. Originally I had another apartment lined up with someone for Carnaval, but at the last moment, she changed her mind and backed out of the deal. Finding a new apartment took a lot of time, and I ended up having to wait out my time in a dodgy hotel… complete with questionable sheets and a perilous staircase of death.

Big thanks have to go to my friends Fernando and Ricardo for helping me to find the new apartment!

Travelers Tips:

Stay at the ‘Adventure Hostel’ in Ipanema. It’s close to the beach, to transport and in a safe location two doors down from where I was robbed (hehehe). The staff are great and the included breakfast isn’t half bad either!