Destination Holiday

Well Jenine's wedding is not a destination wedding but it's just the place I want to be. It is extremely relaxing to be by the beach on any day of the week, not to mention Christmas.

Don't get me wrong, I wish I was with family but the 18 hours I spent with Alex and Hillary were a gift.... for me to literally snuggle up on the most inviting sectional couch and comforting blankets next to my brother and sister who unconditionally and constantly show me how much they love me. I love nothing more than a day in, watching movies all snuggled up in blankets and next to a FIRE. With Simba there cat coming in and out of out attention zone.

Aside from that. I am in Waikiki for Jenine and Tommy. The most inspiring couple.Their wedding day is December 27th, this Sunday. They are such wonderful human beings. I have had an excellent time with (of course) their great friends from all over the United States! They are genuine characters for sure.

So far, we have had a bridesmaids late lunch which was delicious at Shodoku Japanese restaurant. That night we had a limo with all the groomsmen, bridemaids and significant others. (except Kevin is in Irvine with his family) We took the limo to a place called Papparazzi and had a VIP area. FUN!

Today I hope to have a nice Christmas Dinner.

Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Holidays!
Hope everyone is happy!

Ilha Grande, full of surprises

So I knew Ilha Grande was going to be a beautiful island. I again didnt realize such a small island could have so much history.

A 2 hour car ride and 1.5 hour boat ride brought us to the island from Rio.

The first day we got there it was raining ...

The second day there it was raining and we were a bit intimidated so we stayed in and I read.

We finally decided we would not let the rain keep us indoors.

In one day (our third day) we hiked to the islands old JAIL and AQUADUCT along side 3 beaches. We then hiked very high and back down to the other side of the island to a great waterfall. The trail was slippery and we actually hiked in the rain. I once slipped and landed on my hand and said *Great now my hand is muddy* 30 seconds later i slipped again and was laughing *okay, now my back and pants are muddy and wet* it wasnt painful so it was funny.

That same night we ran into 2 girls we hung out with in Florianopolis AND a couple we last saw in BOLIVIA. Oh, the gringo trail.

So we arranged with the 2 girls to go to Lopez Mendez a 2 hour hike to a secluded beautiful beach. Thankfully the morning was dry.

We hiked 1.5 hours and ran into a beach which was a part of the hiking trail. Then we found another beach ...again a part of the trail to the final beach.

Once we were 10 minutes away from Lopez Mendez it started to POUR rain. We instantly saw 45 people leave the beach. We werent turning back after 2 hours of hiking.

We found huge wooden board, hid our backpack and camera under it and went swimming for 30 minutes in the rain. Surrounding us was rock, mountain trees and a breathtaking fog coating the corners of the trees. the surfers here were very talented as they were the only ones left on the beach besides the 4 of us and 2 others. Luckily we ran and made it in time for the last boat taxi. The rain made the trails WAY too slippery and dangerous. And as I forgot to mention I slipped on the way to the beach and scraped a good 6 inch line on my side. nice and bruised.

We made it back to Rio and we are waiting for the sun to STAY out.

The floating Christmas tree

I knew I´d be away from home for Thanksgiving and some of the holiday season.
I never even thought I would be able to partake in holiday celebration in another city.
I am so glad we are in Rio de Janeiro right now.
Last night we met up with some couchsurfers (from couchsurfing.org) and we were able to watch the lighting of the Christmas Tree which includes a floating Christmas tree the size of the one at Sea World. This tree is floating in the middle of Rio-s Lake. The tree is lit up differently every year and floats from one end to the other throughout December. On Christmas Day the tree is right in the middle.

Last night at 8:30pm was the lighting of the tree in Rio de Janeiro, which included a children's choir on the HUGE stage behind us, BEAUTIFUL SPIRAL FIREWORKS shooting out of the tree and constantly changing lights on this huge tree made of lights.


The lake reflecting the tree's lights.

Rio de Janeiro

we are here!!



Rio


We are staying, more specifically, in Ipanema. This is what it looks like.