Rio 06032011 Sunday
Dawnbreaker
Lars Alfredson
Mon 7 Mar 2011 21:53
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Dear Blog fans, due to technial difficulties our
Blog is a few days late, but here it is!
Sunday 6th March After an interesting but arduous
journey, which started with battling UK train acancellations
due to a broken down freight train disrupting the whole of Arriva Trains Wales network, I finally a Riode Janerio. Here I picked a cabby who not only couldn't find the Marina but spoke no English. Despite this minor setback I pulled out my map and proceeded to navigate in fluent pointing. Unfortunately when we approached the Marina we were unable to get to it as all the surrounding roads had been blocked off for Carnival celebrations. Having reached the limit of my navigational skills and with a weak finger from all that pointing, the Cabbie decided to abandon the car and walk over the numerous multi lane highways devoid of traffic and through the enormity of "Flamingo park" to deliver me to Marina da Gloria 
Some very odd trees .
There was no sign of life at 0830 when I arrived at Dawnbreaker on the pontoon and only a worrying grunt and when I rang Lars. He appeared, looking a little the worse for wear to tell me that they had only got in at 5am, having been to one of the Samba parades. So having put my bags on board I went off to the Marina café for a couple of beers, continue the Telegraph crossword and to try to hook into the dockside Wi-Fi while they recovered. By 1300 all had emerged in various states of disrepair and with suitable pleasantries exchanged and Blog keeping responsibilities handed over we headed out in search of lunch before the walking wounded departed for the airport and detoxification back home.  
Departing
crew
Bob settling in nicely
1430 The Taxi arrived early and Urban, Lena, Thomas and daughter Sanna plus baggage went for the Guiness book of Records as they were shoe horned into a rather small car. The Party boats offering patrons a choice of music moored next to us finally moved off leaving a strange quiet quayside of which we took immediate advantage and retired to bunks for a much needed Siesta | That evening, exploring the wonders of the Metro system looking for a suitable eating area, Lars and I ended up meeting with half of Rio's partying population, on Ipanima Beach. We had evidently missed daytime activities judging by the mountains of beer cans, streets awash with melting ice and the rather worn state of the assembled masses. Finally found a very posh Italian restaurant (having given the "King George" a miss due to music volumes and body count) and had an excellent pizza etc at vast expence. We return to find the foreshore had been turned into Disco with the music? at such a volume you could cook your dinner on the power being emminated. Thank the Lord for alchohol which enabled one to pass out eventually despite the whole yacht vibrating until 5am when the silence returned. 
Party boats
Welcome to all our readers,
Bob the Blog.
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