Greetings from Rio

I arrived in Rio de Janeiro late yesterday morning after taking the overnight flight from Houston. I managed to sleep a reasonable amount but nothing compared to Laura who was on the same flight and who didn't wake up until our approach into Rio.

The flight was packed with a lot of folk heading to the same conference as us. I was stuck middle middle because my ticket was booked so late. However, I was next to two guys going to the conference. One sold printers for the industry the other was a true Texan oil barren. He was late 40's and an exploration geologist. He owns his
own company that started with his dad. He buys prospective acreage near Louisiana and drills wells. He was wearing his cowboy boots on the flight as he said there has to be one cowboy at the conference!
As we walked off the flight the heat and humidity hit. Who says it is only Houston with the unpleasant weather! The difference with Houston is that they don't air condition which is good and bad. At the long immigration cue that was bad!

Myself and a colleague were picked up by a driver and taken into our hotel in an armed plated car! My hotel, which Laura and Chris stayed at as well, is beautiful. It is situated on the beach at Ipanema. The whole topography of Rio is just amazing after coming from flat Houston. The mix of old and new buildings in really narrow streets just so exciting for the eyes.

The beach in front of the hotel was packed, as was Copacabana when we drove past! People just walk around in their teeney bikinis and speedos, and it doesn't seem to matter what size you are! The view from my hotel room is just glorious.

After, eventually getting into my room and showering, I met Laura and Chris at a British pub called Lord Jim Pub! We watch the friendly football game Rio vs England. There were a number of England supporters in the bar, but as with all true Scots, we supported the team playing against England!

Following a Brazil win, we headed off the Sugar Loaf mountain and there is a two
stage gondola up. Yup the views from the top are fabulous. We were there for sunset.

Laura has got Chris and I addicted to these cheesy bread balls that they do here.

I am just waiting for the lazy bones to get going and come down for breakfast :)