Coys in Rio 2016: Rio In a Day? Call Breno!

Breno Novaes. Remember that name if you are coming to Rio! More of Breno shortly.

We arrived safely in Rio at 2000 local time on Monday evening after a great flight over looked after by the usual lovely and very professional BA crew. Special mention to Senior First Officer, Ellie Williams, who trained with Sarah all those years ago and who we would happily adopt if we ever got the chance.

Unfortunately, arriving in the dark doesn't give you any feel for this city at all, even during a 30 minute ride with the crew and the "Klingons" to the Sheraton Hotel in Barra da Tijuca. "Klingons" incidentally is the somewhat appropriate title given to family members travelling with crew!

Tuesday was to begin our familiarisation with the city - we only have two days here - and to assist in this process, I had, on recommendation, contracted the services of a young man called Breno Novaes, a native of Rio. How lucky were we?

I had told the crew on the way to the hotel that seats were available the following day if anybody wanted to join us and so it was that six of us awaited Breno's arrival in his black Land Rover Discovery.

What came through the hotel entrance was a tall, dark, handsome 36 year old with a smile to brighten anybody's day. Instant big tick in the box. First impressions are important and his was one of the best. Nothing during our full day with him did anything other than enhance those impressions and indeed his reputation which he has clearly worked hard to establish.

And so off we ventured with this cariocas ( a resident of Rio ) to the places we have read about and seen in so many photos over the years. Ipanema, Christ the Redeemer, Lapa Steps, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Copacabana beach and all to be visited under blue skies and in temperatures North of 30 degrees.

Tall and tan and young and lovely the girl from Ipanema goes walking ..... 1962. Frank Sinatra sang a famous version. Google it. A beautiful beach for the beautiful people - yes, Breno spends time there and why not if you have those looks. I apparently wouldn't quite fit the mould to frequent it!

Christ the Redeemer. Wow! 30 metres tall with a wingspan of 28 metres and standing atop Corcovado mountain. Breathtaking and bewitching, it was created by a Franco Polish sculptor called Paul Landowski and built through Brazilian and French corroboration. Great entente cordiale although I prefer lemon cordiale, particularly in this heat!

Lapa Steps. I had never heard of Lapa Steps but what a revelation. Created by Jorge Selaron. An absolute must visit place with an amazing story. A great location as well, to rest for a while with a cold beer and a delicious chicken pasty - Brazilian style that is.

Sugarloaf Mountain - another icon of the city and indeed Brazil. A massive outcrop of granite and quartz that when you have ridden the two cable cars to the top provides the most amazing views of the city and its environs. Yet another wow!

And finally on Day one, Copacabana. "Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl, with yellow feathers in her hair and her dress cut down to there..." Barry Manilow 1978. He is credited massively with increasing the popularity of this Rio beach which is possibly now, one of the most famous in the world. It's 4km long and on New Year's Eve, upto 2 million people hit this beach to watch the firework display!

Wow, wow, wow! Monday was just an incredible day of wows at every turn and I have to report that this is without doubt the most spectacular city we have ever visited. It should be on everyone's "bucket list".

The day we had yesterday was fantastic in every way, enhanced by members of the BA family who joined us but topped off by the gem called Breno whose energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and huge passion for his native city made it a day we will remember for a long time.

As a footnote, perhaps Breno was already on a high before collecting us because on Monday, he found out that he was to become a dad for the first time. Congratulations Breno.