Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Beach Exercise
%
Cangas
Alongside a multitude
of home-grown beach
sports, exercising on
the sand in these body-
conscious neighborhoods
is a vanity fair. A popular
spot for this is around
the pull-up bars
(left)
in
front of Rua Farme de
Amoedo, which is the
posing ground for the
most tanned and toned.
Cangas
(sarongs) are
sold on the beach by
wandering vendors.
Popular designs include
the dragon's-tooth pattern
found on the pavements
that line the beach, and
the Brazilian flag.
^
Sand Sculptures
Favela
artists create
elaborate fantasy castles
and sculptures from
Ipanema's fine sand
(above)
. Look out for
them right next to the
running tracks.
&
Beach Massage
Massages on
makeshift couches
(below)
and chairs have
been available on
Ipanema and Leblon for
decades, and tend to be
of a very high standard.
(
Children's Play
*
Beach Volleyball
Areas
For a family outing, there
are children's play areas
(below)
at the Baixo Bebê
kiosk
(see p48)
on Leblon
beach and in Praça Nossa
Senhora da Paz, behind
Ipanema beach.
and Footvolley
Brazilians are the best
in the world at beach
volleyball and the national
women's team practice
on Ipanema. Footvolley
is a variation played
entirely with the feet and
head
(see p43)
.
The Girl from
Ipanema
Poet Vinícius de Moraes
and composer Antônio
Carlos Jobim wrote
The
Girl from Ipanema
in
homage to a beautiful
teenager called Heloisa
Pinheiro who, on her
way to the beach, used
to pass the café where
the men would meet for
an afternoon beer.
)
Beachside Cafés
The beachside cafés
that line Ipanema and
Leblon beaches serve
snacks, drinks, and
delicious ice-cold coconut
milk, drunk straight from
the coconut shell. The
cafés also offer shade
from the tropical sun.
27
Os Dois Irmãos rocks at the end of Leblon are home to two of
Rio's largest
favelas
, Rocinha
(see pp74-5)
and Vidigal.
