It's our first morning in Rio de Janeiro.
We sit down to breakfast in the sunlit hotel restaurant. The tropical fruits are delicious.
So far, I've seen Rio from the air, from the back seat of a taxi at night, and now, through the hotel window, we look out over Ipanema Beach.
We've received many warnings about the dangers of this place. Today we are going to take a risk and venture outside.
Recalling the previous night's advice from Sharon at the nightclub, I rummage in my suitcase in search of some thief-proof clothing. I find a pair of black cotton pants with deep pockets that have a narrow opening. The pants are roomy enough to accommodate a money belt. They can be my uniform while I'm here in Rio.
I don't normally put things in my pockets because it ruins the line of the garment. But if these pants get trashed, I don't care. I shove the camera in down deep. No one could possibly get their hand in there.
I put a credit card and some extra cash into the money belt and strap it on. Also I have a thing called a "bra stash" - a silk pouch which I now fill with money and attach to my bra strap.
My wallet, watch, necklace and earrings are in the hotel safe.
Finally we step out, ready to confront the bandits that are lurking outside the hotel.
It's Sunday, and along the beach half the road is closed. People are strolling, pushing prams, cycling and roller-skating in the sunshine. Which ones are the bad guys?
Before long, I want to take a photo. I wrench my camera out of my pocket and instruct my husband to protect me while I take a snap. I return the camera to my pocket. No one seems to take any notice.
I repeat the process, still feeling wary.
After a while I feel more relaxed, but I'm still careful to put the camera away between photos.
We take a long walk, all the way to Leblon beach. We skirt around a cycle race.
Over the next two days we explore the city. It is all very civilised and no one tries to rob us.
We travel by cable-car to the top of the Sugarloaf Mountain. The view is breathtaking, and I take lots of pictures there.
Afterwards we walk a long way along Copacabana beach, taking in the views back towards Sugarloaf.
We buy gifts and souvenirs at the Hippie Markets.
The weather is deliciously warm. We relax on Ipanema beach in the late afternoon sunshine.
The place is so picturesque, it soon has us under its spell. It truly is The Marvellous City.
In the evening we have cocktails at the spectacular Copacabana Palace Hotel.
My husband declares "This is the best city of them all."
We sit down to breakfast in the sunlit hotel restaurant. The tropical fruits are delicious.
So far, I've seen Rio from the air, from the back seat of a taxi at night, and now, through the hotel window, we look out over Ipanema Beach.
We've received many warnings about the dangers of this place. Today we are going to take a risk and venture outside.
Recalling the previous night's advice from Sharon at the nightclub, I rummage in my suitcase in search of some thief-proof clothing. I find a pair of black cotton pants with deep pockets that have a narrow opening. The pants are roomy enough to accommodate a money belt. They can be my uniform while I'm here in Rio.
I don't normally put things in my pockets because it ruins the line of the garment. But if these pants get trashed, I don't care. I shove the camera in down deep. No one could possibly get their hand in there.
I put a credit card and some extra cash into the money belt and strap it on. Also I have a thing called a "bra stash" - a silk pouch which I now fill with money and attach to my bra strap.
My wallet, watch, necklace and earrings are in the hotel safe.
Finally we step out, ready to confront the bandits that are lurking outside the hotel.
It's Sunday, and along the beach half the road is closed. People are strolling, pushing prams, cycling and roller-skating in the sunshine. Which ones are the bad guys?
Before long, I want to take a photo. I wrench my camera out of my pocket and instruct my husband to protect me while I take a snap. I return the camera to my pocket. No one seems to take any notice.
I repeat the process, still feeling wary.
After a while I feel more relaxed, but I'm still careful to put the camera away between photos.
We take a long walk, all the way to Leblon beach. We skirt around a cycle race.
Over the next two days we explore the city. It is all very civilised and no one tries to rob us.
We travel by cable-car to the top of the Sugarloaf Mountain. The view is breathtaking, and I take lots of pictures there.
Afterwards we walk a long way along Copacabana beach, taking in the views back towards Sugarloaf.
We buy gifts and souvenirs at the Hippie Markets.
The weather is deliciously warm. We relax on Ipanema beach in the late afternoon sunshine.
The place is so picturesque, it soon has us under its spell. It truly is The Marvellous City.
In the evening we have cocktails at the spectacular Copacabana Palace Hotel.
My husband declares "This is the best city of them all."
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