It’s not easy to write these words, but: I’m back, for quite some time already. And it’s not easy to write this because I had such a good time in Brazil, with my family. I’m back in Hamburg with lots of memories, pictures and (of course, I’m still a girl, right?) souvenirs. Not to mention my little food baby thanks to delicious fruits, meat and coconut water for days (months, years, forever!). As you know, this time I took my husband with me – for his first time in Rio de Janeiro and to finally meet my Brazilian family (and I’ve got a huge one!). I guess you could say that he’s now in love with another beautiful girl, the “Cidade Maravilhosa”, hometown of my mother and – even if I never lived there – city of my heart.
For my little travel story, I captured Rio’s beauty with the phone (switching between iPhone 4S, 5S and 6). First of all because I was pretty afraid of walking around the city with my expensive camera (thanks to the ever-increasing crime rate and widespread thievery), but also because it’s easy luggage. ;) So these are all Instagram snapshots and you can follow all pictures (who knows, maybe there will be more) I took in Brazil with the hashtag → #lugoesbrasil2015 (should have been #lugoesrio2015, but I spent one day in São Paulo for work and used the same hashtag last time – only with 2012 – so I just used it again). Anyway, I really hope that one day I will be able to see even more of Brazil, more cities, more beautiful scenery, more people. I don’t know when will be the next time, but I really hope that it won’t take too long. :)

• Pão de Açúcar •

Follow me to… the Pão de Açúcar – probably the best-known mountain of the world (Mount Everest, what is that? ;)) and the most beautiful one. The trip with the → “Bondinho” (we paid R$ 62, now it’s R$ 71 – incredible, after almost two weeks the price was so much higher already, but unfortunately the currency is experiencing some major problems at the moment) starts at the foot of the “Morro da Urca” – which is also the first stop of the cable car. There you’ll find not only a few shops but also a restaurant (don’t forget to book a table!), and you’ll have a great view of the Sugarloaf Mountain.

Make sure not to miss the sundown on top of the Sugarloaf Mountain – it’s the most beautiful thing ever and you can take some time to watch the city lights sparkle in the dark afterwards. You haven’t seen Rio if you haven’t seen it from above. ;)

• Fruits, Fruits, Fruits! •

The fruits… oh how I love them. Everything does not only look better but also taste a lot better than imported fruits that aren’t even ripe. Also, you can find some fruits you’ve probably never seen before. For me, one of them was the atemoya, a green fruit with white pulp and black pips. It’s incredibly sweet and juicy and something you have to try!
My biggest (literally!) surprise were the strawberries from the local market in Ipanema. Huuuuge and so delicious! Eating strawberries in Brazil kind of seems pretty odd, but it was worth it (even though they’re a little bit pricey…).
Even bananas taste better in Rio, I can’t believe that the bananas in our German supermarkets are all green and hard, not even a little bit ripe – no wonder they have almost no taste compared with these yellow beauties!
And of course, there’s my best friend – the coconut. I don’t even want to count how many liters I drank, haha! Never without my coconut! This was my motto and I’m very sad that packed coconut water is not the same (I actually find it disgusting), so I’ll have to wait until I’m back…

• The Girl from… ALL BEACHES! •

The beaches – I really miss them. Even though I had an unfortunate encounter with the sun and got fried. Three days of horrible pain. Let me tell you one thing: NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN! And spend more than one hour at the beach. In salt water (which is even worse for burned skin because it’s like double-frying it). With no shadow. I wish I could erase this experience from my memory – and my skin – but at least at home I’m a good girl who never spends much time in the sun and doesn’t forget her sunscreen, so I really hope that the damage is not forever. And at least I got a little bronzed (normally, I go from white to red and back to white).

Anyways, we had the chance to spend some time at the beaches of Ipanema, Angra dos Reis, Cabo Frio, Figueiras and Iguaba Grande. Including the most beautiful sunsets and the greatest fun ever in the water that day I got fried. ;)

Click on the pictures for full size. :)

• Corcovado | Cristo Redentor •

Another typical tourist stop: the Corcovado and – on top of it – the Cristo Redentor. The statue is what I love most about Rio – you can see him from almost everywhere, a true sign of persistence and protection. He’s illuminated by night and by day, when you’re up there, you have the feeling that you can almost touch the sun. :) Inside the plinth is a little chapel – and to tell you a little secret: it’s always been my wish to get married there one day. This time, unfortunately, we couldn’t do it, but who knows, maybe we’ll have the chance next time. I really hope so!
The view is absolutely breathtaking. You’ll have the chance to see lots of beautiful things from up above, like the Sugarloaf Mountain, the Lagoa, the Jockey Club, and so on – it’s definitely worth the visit even though it’s loaded with people – tourist spot, right…

You can get up there by car, park it and take a tourist van to finally reach the top of the mountain. Also, you can take a small train that goes up the whole mountain and leaves you almost at the foot of the statue. This time, we went there by car with a good friend who’s a tourist guide (visit his page → here). Last time, I took the train with my grandmother. Both ways are good, so it’s up to you to decide how you want to “climb up” the mountain. :)

• São Paulo | Working for Chica Bolacha •

One of the things that left me most excited was my short trip to São Paulo. Three things: I’ve never been there before, I’ve never flown within Brazil and I’ve never been booked as an exclusive model for a brand before. Yup, you’re reading right – I got my first job as a model in Brazil, for the new collection of the Brazilian brand → “Chica Bolacha”. It’s not out yet, but of course I’ll let you know as soon as everything’s online! Until then, I’ve got a few “behind the scenes” shots for you and I can happily say: it was a great day. Lots of work (got up at 5 am and arrived back home at around 10 pm), shooting photos, getting changed A LOT (in the middle of the street!), shooting a video (so excited!) and a little interview. I didn’t see much of São Paulo but what I saw was very cool on the one hand – it’s a huge city, with lots of high buildings, lots of people and lots of color (there were a few great graffitis on the walls). On the other hand, I saw lots of extreme poverty, people sleeping in the middle of a sidewalk, people “living” under bridges and a few other things I wish I had never seen. São Paulo is very colorful in many aspects, from the views to the people to the thing about the difference between rich and poor. And even though the whole city might be a little too much for me, I guess that coming back to see more of it and not only this one street on which we shot (Avenida Paulista) wouldn’t hurt. ;)

• Shopping! •

Well, of course, vacations are not only for relaxing and seeing the city but also for some shopping – you’ll get some things that nobody else will have back home, right? :) So, this is not everything I got, there’s also some things I didn’t photograph, like a perfume from L’Occitane au Brésil (an extra collection that’s only available in Brazil) or a few nail polishes. Some small treats, you know… ;)

I really love the shopping center → “Rio Sul”, where I spent a bit more time. Also, the → “Barra Shopping” is pretty nice and has lots of stores – too many. It’s huge and you’ll probably need a whole week to see everything – and find you’re way out again, it’s like a maze! But it’s the only place I had nearby to get these beautiful shoes from → Luiza Barcelos – my favorite find! :) I also bought these incredible platform heels at → Schutz in Ipanema (got them for my shooting in São Paulo) and another two pairs at → Arezzo (without taking a picture of them, shame on me!).
One day before leaving, I visited the → “Aragem Rio” atelier to buy one of those gorgeous beach towels. Bad timing, I know, as it’s fall now in Germany and I won’t need it, but maybe I can integrate it into an outfit, who knows? ;) I fell in love with the whole collection, so I had to get two extra pieces – two different pillowcases, they’re gorgeous. I think I’ll show them soon, at least as backgrounds for some posts! ;)
At the airport, I saw this beautiful bracelet from → Francesca Romana Diana and decided to take Rio home with me. :) It’s a great souvenir and when I wear it, it reminds me of the great time we had. Oh, I already miss everything so much – especially while writing this blog post…

• Random & Food •

If you like beautiful passport cases like I do, you should stop by Gilson Martins in Copacabana or Ipanema. Not only for passport cases, but beautiful bags and accessories, sunglasses and jewelry.

Gilson Martins
Copacabana • Avenida Atlântica 1998
Copacabana • Rua Figueiredo Magalhães 304
Ipanema • Rua Visconde de Pirajá 462 B

The juice trend has also arrived in Brazil – well, actually, juices are nothing new there – you can find juice bars every five meters on the streets. Including snacks like this delicious “Sanduíche Natural” with chicken, carrots and raisins – my favorite!

Fruits, Snacks & Juices – my favorite spots:
• Hortifruti, e.g. at Rua Teixeira de Melo, 54 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ
• BigBi Sucos, e.g. at Rua Teixeira de Melo, 53 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ
• Panificação – Confeitaria e Lanchonete IPANEMA • Rua Visconde de Pirajá, 325 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ

Of course, we had to stop at the famous “Escadaria Selaron” in Santa Teresa. It’s an incredible work of art and we were pretty lucky to be there alone to take some pictures.

Escadaria Selaron
R. Manuel Carneiro – Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro – RJ

Something we all should do from time to time, not only in Ipanema (and I know that these signs can be found in many places around the world!).

Oraculo Project on Facebook

Not only the meat is worth trying – you should definitely try at least one “pastel” (and it won’t be easy to only have one!). My favorite is filled with brie and apricot (besides, cheese is always a good idea!) and you can get the best ones at the “Bar do Adão”.

Bar do Adão
e.g. in Copacabana • Rua Aires Saldanha, 13

Enjoying the sunset on a boat is one of the best things ever. We went on a boat trip through Angra dos Reis, one of the most beautiful places in Rio. You go there by bus, take a boat and spend the day sailing to a few islands for sightseeing or swimming. Lunch is included, whether on the boat or on an island. Don’t forget to bring a camera (maybe even for underwater pictures!)! And the caipirinha on this boat was the best I ever had! :)

For some exclusively delicious dinner you could spend an evening at the “Copacabana Palace” (either for Italian or Asian food) or the “FASANO”. I already posted my review of the “Mee” at the “Copacabana Palace”, my review of the Italian dinner at the “FASANO al mare” at the “FASANO” hotel in Ipanema will be online soon! :) Oh, and by the way: this tiramisu was EVERYTHING!

Copacabana Palace • Avenida Atlântica, 1702 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ
FASANO • Avenida Vieira Souto, 80 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ

Of course, we spent lots of time with my family (which keeps growing – I also got to welcome a new-born baby!). Whether at home and cuddling with this lovely dog (isn’t she adorable kissing my ear??) or going out, I’m happy that most of the time we weren’t alone. Which, for me, is very important, as I look like a tourist and am always a little scared to go outside alone… ;)

The “Arcos da Lapa” – aren’t they beautiful? In the background, you can see the top of Rio’s cathedral. Unfortunately, there was no time to go inside, but it must be so beautiful!

No flying back home via Paris without some shopping at Ladurée and Dior – it wasn’t exactly my first time at Ladurée (I had one pistachio macaron in Florence!) and somehow it’s not the same to buy macarons at the airport, but they were soooo good! Try pistachio and salted caramel!
And Dior, well, you know me – I’m a little “Miss Dior” and can’t leave the “Mise en Dior” earrings behind. These are my fifth pair and they are just beautiful – silver cannage design, I had to take them with me as a souvenir from France. ;)

Flying back home to Germany, seeing these sparkling lights from the plane (which was a catastrophe, by the way) made me actually shed a tear.

Até a próxima, Cidade Maravilhosa! ♥