Memory Lane #3

Copa, Copacabanaaaa!

This in one of my favourite photos, taken when I was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with the hubby and some of our friends in 2011.

We had already spent a week of partying together in Arraial d'Ajuda, Bahia, and it would have been a perfect holiday if the friends we were with hadn't had a huge argument on the second night and refused to make up for the remainder of the trip! Oh dear.

But regardless of the unfortunate falling out, this is still a special memory of mine, and we had fun exploring the city (although it was mine and the hubby's second time, there was still plenty more to see and do). We went to the zoo, tried and failed to have surfing lessons on Ipanema thanks to the lazy instructor repeatedly coming up with excuses to fob us off ( no idea how he made his money, and it's not like giving surfing lessons is exactly hard work for someone who loves it, especially in a place as beautiful as Rio!) and ventured into Santa Teresa, the oldest part of town which is filled with little shops selling handmade goodies and artwork, by tram, which made for a fantastic view of Rio, as it's very high up. The hubby and I didn't go up to see Christ the Redeemer or Sugarloaf Mountain this time, as we had not long done all of that with my parents, but we did spend lots of time enjoying the beaches and drinking Caipirinhas! Bliss.

Rio is a wonderful city and will always hold special memories for me.

xx

Memory Lane

By Thursday each week, I am usually flagging a bit and willing the weekend to arrive more quickly. It also seems to be the day which throws me the most when it comes to blogging, although I have no idea why that is!

So I thought to myself today that it would be a nice idea to share a photo with you each and every Thursday, that is linked to a happy memory of mine. Hopefully, it'll be interesting for you, and I know that reminiscing about some of my happiest times will put a smile on my face and give me the boost I need to get me through to Friday!

So, on that note, today's picture was taken on 1st January two years ago, on the beach in a place called Arraial d'Ajuda, Brazil. My husband and I had spent a week there, soaking up the sun and sipping cocktails by day and eating delicious meals and partying it up by night, and we met lots of fun people along the way. We had, on this occasion, been to a New Year's Party at an outdoor club on the beach, spending the night dancing barefoot on the sand, chatting and guzzling the free champagne, as well as watching a spectacular firework display out over the water.  I snapped this photo just as the sun was rising on New Year's Day. The party was still in full swing.  It was one of my favourite New Year's Eves to date and Arraial d'Ajuda will always be one of my happiest places. We have since been back with friends and had an equally amazing time.

What is the best way you have ever spent New Year's Eve?

xx

Memorable Moments

After posting my photo-mosaic as part of my 'Saturday Summary', some of you asked me about them, so here they are in full size, fully explained.

1. This was a boat we came across in the beach in Brazil, in a place called Buzios, RJ. It was selling Acai, which is hugely popular in Brazil, and deliciously refreshing!

2. Palm trees on the beach in Prado, BA, Brazil.

3. Devonshire cream tea with my mum, sister and grandparents after a sunny country walk.

4. Homemade Sangria in my parents' garden

5. AMAZING antipasti lunch with friends in my favourite Italian deli.

6.  The view from my hotel window in Vitoria, ES, Brazil.

7. HUGE cocktails (called Terminators) with friends. We used to swear by these as fifteen-year-olds going out on minimal money, so we decided to take a trip down memory lane....bad idea! Hangovers all round the next day!

8. Tapas in the sunshine with my mum :-)

9. The view across the harbour in my hometown.

10. Another yummy cream tea!

11,12 and 13 Nights out with friends!

14. A vintage sweet shop on a day trip to Totnes with my sister.

15. A meal with friends in a Moroccan restaurant (yes, more food!).

16. Mountains of Mexican food we had when some friends came to visit us in Brazil.

17. Yet another lush meal from the same trip.

18. The view along Ipanema in Rio.

19 and 20. Shopping with more friends who came to visit us in Brazil, this time in Trancoso, BA

21. Mountain walk.

22. The view along Copacabana at night.

23. Cupcakes! To celebrate my friend's 25th birthday. We had a surprise party for her in our hotel room with cake and bubbly, before going out to eat sushi and have a few drinks.

I hope you enjoyed this rather photo-heavy post!

What's the most memorable place you have visited?

xx