Our flight to Rioi was two hours late, but Raick was still there waiting for us when we arrived on a Monday morning. He was very friendly and stayed until he was sure that we were all set up. Gave us good information and advice about the neighborhood.

We speak English, Spanish and some french, but nothing of Portuguese, so staying at a neighborhood apartment instead of a hotel was a more sporting challenge. Walked all over exploring Flamengo waterfront park, Catete scenes, the lively dilapidated looking Lapa and into Santa Teresa.
Never once felt any worries for safety and always had our cozy apartment to retreat to when needed.

Metro showed us Ipanema and Leblon and walked all over the place again. Bussed to Copacabana for a nighttime stroll. A concerned older man warned us about heading too far toward the surf and away from the lights of the street, but again we never felt any insecurity in our wanderings.

One last day of touristing on the trem to the Cristo on Corcovado. Great taxi ride to Santa Teresa and found the recommended Espiritu Santu restaurant and were the only ones there at 3 PM. Wonderful! Poor bonde is defunct for years and all the local merchants are mourning it's absence, maybe will be back by World Cup time.

First time to Rio and Brazil--wonderful 3 days of exploring some real Rio!

The apartment is a great base station for up to two couples, though AC is only in one of the bedrooms, of you need it.

One other viewer noted that iPad does not connect to the wifi--it is true. Our Mac laptop worked well, but could not connect with iPad or ipod touch--go figure. Washing machine great for getting freshened up for the next part of the trip.

Watch out for stubbed toes on the shower edge!!!