Party like a Carioca

First stop of the day, Feira Hippie Market on the hunt for a piece of authentic tat for the house and of course the obligatory Christmas decoration (we collect them wherever we go). With a not-so-Christmassy toucan for the tree, a Brazilian whistle and drum for tomorrows Carnaval and a piece of wood with favelas carved into it (we'll regret that when we are home), we hit Ipanema beach once more. It was absolute carnage, we underestimated just how many sun worshippers would be there but with the Ipanema street party only a few hours away, it seemed the whole of Rio wanted a dip in the sea before the party started once again.

To escape the crowds, we went to Cafe Felisse and watched the revellers from a comfortable distance with a Coke and veggie burger. After a quick 'SSS' back at the hotel, we strolled round to Arcos De Lapa only to find yet another street party. This one seemed much more chilled, more about the samba and less the beer but we still grabbed a tinnie and attempted another Brazilian tradition, snogging whilst walking, much harder than it looks.

We eventually found Rio Scenarium, a Samba club recommended to us and we assumed the lengthy queue could only be a good thing. It was an amazing place, a cool Samba club with live bands downstairs and funky Brazilian dance music upstairs. We got chatting to a Brazilian guy and his seven friends, and were soon partying with the locals and downing shots of cachaca. Oddly, you were given a sheet upon entry with a list of drinks, the bartender marks your sheet when you order and you pay when leaving...keeps the bar queue down but not the bill.

An amazing night with our new Carioca (translated to 'native inhabitant') friends, we then broke a big tourist rule...DO NOT WALK HOME AFTER DARK - especially at 4am oops! We survived, I couldn't tell you if it was scary, I can't remember a thing, gotta love the caipirinhas and caipiroskas!