1. Endless beaches. The beaches in Rio are plentiful and go on and on and on. (It's a bit like Sydney, in that regard.) You have a beach, then another one, then another one ...
note the huge temporary stadium for the FIFA beach soccer world cup! Though Brazil lost in the semis to Portugal ... what a fizzer. We were watching outside, on the large mlounted screen in the corner.
2. The proximity of the beach to the city. The thing that DOES set Rio apart from Sydney is that the beaches are literally across the road from the city. High rise buildings overlook the sand, trains come up right next to the beach. Whoa.
3. Beach volleyball and soccer. About 50 metres from the water, there are heaps of goalposts and volleyball nets for people to come and play. It's awesome! No wonder Brazillians are in such good shape ... though that's another thing about the beaches. You have people of all shapes of sizes there, and they're not afraid! (We'll talk about she-males another time too ... another unique Brazillian aspect!)
4. Closing half the main roads next to the beach on Sundays. The roads are closed - free for children and adults to cycle, walk, ride, have coffee ... very cool, great atmosphere.
5. Selling stuff on the beach - including umbrella spaces. There are quite a few (but not too many) people selling sunglasses, t-shirts, little cheese things to eat ... though some people are ripping tourists off. A man was about to charge me ten US dollars to put up an umbrella to sit under ...
(though even in May - almost winter - it was BOILING on the beach, about mid-30s. Whoa!)
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