Jardim Botânico

No holiday is complete without a trip to the local botanic garden, and the one in Rio de Janeiro is lovely with its Atlantic Rainforest species, avenue of 50m palms and orchid house - see extras for some orchids up close! We have been a few times over the years but this was the first time without scorching overhead sun which used to make just walking about a constant shade-seeking effort. We’ll take 24C any day!

We did some personal and work admin in the morning and explored the area outside the garden, afterwards, in more depth, further up Rua Pacheco Leão than we’ve been before, finding some smart, designer restaurants like Eleninha and Patio Horto, which have a very São Paulo vibe to them.

Our own lunch was at Bar Lagoa, as comforting and as reliable, as always.