Day 22 - Homeward bound...

13:45
Our cunning plan worked. Vicki slept largely uninterrupted until nearly 08:00, and for a total of more than 9 hours. I’ve not done too badly. I’ve been awake since 06:00, but don’t feel like I’m way down on sleep. Just for shits and giggles, I have a quick look to see if my GP can fit me in this week to prescribe some meds for my chest. No, not a chance. 31st October is the earliest they’ll admit to. I’ll give them a call Monday to see if they can manage a phone appointment before then.

Vicks and I breakfasted, packed and ready to go a little ahead of our departure time of midday. We head down to the reception at our hotel, and see pretty heavy rain outside. We’ve been so lucky with the weather during our trip. On a couple of occasions, rains have settled in just as we’re leaving somewhere. Iguazu aside, we’ve not really been rained on much, and way, WAY better than I’d have guessed before our departure. I’m sad to be leaving Sao Paulo. Your mileage may vary, but I’ve found it a city draped in modern culture, exciting architecture and cool food. Rio definitely has a *cooler* feel to it, but I’d like to come back to Sao Paulo to explore some more of this behemoth megacity.

Traffic is S-L-O-W on the way to the airport, in part due to the rain I guess. Sao Paulo definitely has a traffic problem. All of our journeys around town have been lethargic. There’s also some fairly agricultural driving on display, to which we’ve grown accustomed during our trip. I metaphorically pat myself on the back when I lean over to the driver, and say, “Bem Venido a Brazil, sim?” He laughs. I’ve nearly cracked this Portuguese thing after all…

The airport is wickedly efficient. It takes us about 20 minutes from cab drop-off to departure lounge, which for a major international airport is sensational. We find ourselves a bar and set up camp. I grab myself a decent bottle of Cachaca to take home. It’s $80, but I’ve read good things about it. I’ll use it both as a basis for Caipis, and as a sipping spirit. I grab some coffee as well. The coffee we’ve had during our trip has pretty much universally been great. Much of the Sao Paulo economy was founded on coffee in the 19th century, and I’m looking forward to a decent espresso once we get home…

15:30
And so, here we are. Boarded, and about to fly home. The flight’s about 60% full, and we’re going to leave a little ahead of schedule. I’m sad to be leaving Brazil. I’ve really fallen for its energy and style. I’ll be back for sure. I want to visit Rio during Carnival, and would very much like to explore the North of the country, on the coast, and down into the Amazon basin. The surest tests of how much I’ve enjoyed a trip are the answers to two questions:

1) Would I return, and
2) Would I recommend it to others

The answer to both is a resounding yes.Leggi altro