Sunday, March 18, 2012

Cabo Frio, Brazil Holidays: That Thong-Tho-Thong

I briefly caught a glimpse of Christ The Redeemer, action figure sized, atop Corcovado mountain as our cab (which we snagged from the airport) careened through Brazil's hectic streets. Hubby and I sat quietly, baffled, still wondering how we got business class seats instead of the usual economy on our Lima-Rio De Janeiro flight. We were hurtling towards Rodoviária Novo Rio, Rio De Janeiro's interstate and international bus terminal, to catch a bus bound for our first destination in the country. Cabo Frio.

Forte Beach can kick Ipanema's arse!

Despite the snail pace traffic here and there, we reached the station in twenty five minutes. Brazil welcomed us with a drizzle, to our dismay. It was summer for crying out loud. The cab driver swiftly unloaded his trunk while I sprinted to the entrance, shielding our daughter Luna from the rain. Hubby single-handedly dragged three backpacks and one roller bag along puddles of murky water and left behind an annoyed driver who was expecting for a tip. Sorry Mr. Driver, the $30 cab ride downgraded our lunch from a churrasco meal to a street sold hotdog in a bun.

A lifeguard post manned by tan, oiled, hunky Brazilians.

We purchased our tickets for $20 each (pricey amount for a three-hour journey) and quickly headed to the departure area. Our bus was about to leave in fifteen minutes. After a sleepless red-eye flight we were happy to finally board, even though Luna didn't look dozy enough for a nap. We wanted to break away from hectic Rio De Janeiro as soon as possible, and we reckon getting acquainted with Brazil in a quaint setup will avert a rocky start.

Seriously played beach football. Steer away!

The bus dropped us off Cabo Frio's main bus station. Uncrowded, just the way we like it. We didn't have to jostle our way through a mosh pit of touts, in fact, we had a hard time finding a cab driver who'd take us to our hostel. And when we did, we were asked to pay a cheap rate. A fifteen-minute ride brought us to our accommodation, Central Hostel. We were greeted by a receptionist who didn't speak a single English word, hence we sorted out our accommodation through elaborate pantomiming which the receptionist gamely reciprocated. I actually memorized a bunch of handy Portuguese phrases, but unlike Spanish, I couldn't make out the words when spoken by Brazilians (it must be that drunken slur accent).

About to surf the afternoon waves.

Our stomachs growled as we whiffed what's left of that morn's free buffet brekkie for guests. Our famished selves couldn't wait any longer. We merely dropped our luggage in the room and headed out, passing by the receptionist who hand-gestured the location of the beach and nearby restaurants. Our search for cheap street food led us to Cabo Frio's Forte Beach, locally called Praia Do Forte.

Order $17 worth of food and drinks, and you can hire one of these umbrellas.

I'm usually not drawn to crowded beaches but Brazil's coast is an exception. Here, beach life in itself is a different kind of culture. And people watching is an activity that's favored over any other water sport. Besides, Forte Beach's sand is powdery and blinding white. I couldn't resist the temptation of wriggling my toes in. That Sunday noon, all for-hire umbrellas were taken. And tons of weekenders who anticipated this lugged their own umbrellas and chairs (worth the hassle since they laze on the beach for hours and hours and hours).

Submitting to the sea. This stubborn tot never looked back. Not even once.

More people were on the shore than in the water, beer in hand (no SLR in the other), just watching the day go by. Occasionally calling out to peddlers selling seafood snacks. Even with the fierce sun heaps of locals slather their bods with oil instead of sunscreen, cause it looks uhm, hot. Men proudly wore trunks, and their muscles flexed with every little thing they did. And yes, women in various shapes and sizes modeled Brazil's renowned thong bikini. I could see why the country's perfect for singles holidays.

Pardon the title if you actually expected thong photos here.

We felt overdressed in our shorts and singlets. But we didn't feel the need to rush back at the hostel to change in our swimmers, because we were to stay there for four days. The Atlantic Ocean can wait. First order of business was beer. And so was the second and third. We totally forgot about lunch.


How to get to Cabo Frio from Rio De Janeiro:

Buses bound for Cabo Frio depart at Rodoviária Novo Rio. Tickets may be purchased at the station, schedule of trips available on this site (you could also buy tickets here). If you're coming from the airport, a cab ride is about $30. There are no direct buses from the airport to Novo Rio.

Trip from Rio De Janeiro to Cabo Frio takes 2-3 hours. Ask the driver to drop you off at Cabo Frio's bus terminal. There's a cab queue just outside. From the terminal it's a 15-20 minute ride to the municipality's center. If meter's not used, $5-7 is a reasonable price to pay.

Pin It
Share



This page was viewed times.

60 comments:

DuNi said...
March 20, 2012 at 8:38 PM

thongs or not, i'm partial to less cluttered beaches... but of, course it's better with thongs around! lols...

Journeys and Travels said...
March 20, 2012 at 8:39 PM

I just love the scenery Gay. Ang cute din ni Luna na pumunta sa waters. Never looked back? natural beach girl si Luna. haha

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 20, 2012 at 8:41 PM

Duni, haha! It's pretty entertaining... Even, uhm, for me.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 20, 2012 at 8:44 PM

Doc, yup, never looked back even if I called her a million times.

Cuberic Cruz said...
March 20, 2012 at 8:45 PM

Yeah...
Actually, I did view it because of the thong clad people...
But nevertheless, it was nice seeing the pictures. Most specially with that tot who never looked back even once. So she could be with the sea.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 20, 2012 at 8:49 PM

I'll dig in my archives, I'll probably find a thong shot up close, Cube. But not sure if I'll post it here. Haha.

docgelo said...
March 20, 2012 at 8:58 PM

i was smiling at the sight of luna's photo as she runs to the sea! can't blame her; it was really tempting!

lakwatsero said...
March 20, 2012 at 8:59 PM

Looks like a nice beach. Is Forte Beach's sand more powdery than Boracay's? Just wondering. Looking forward to Pinay Travel Junkie's future posts.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 20, 2012 at 9:01 PM

Doc, a certified beach lover!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 20, 2012 at 9:02 PM

DG, it's actually the same as Boracay's. But I definitely like Boracay more.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib said...
March 20, 2012 at 9:10 PM

Ang wide ng beach, maaliwalas tingnan...

P.S. Luna the beach girl! Excited mag-tampisaw si Luna the explorer, hehe.

killerfillers said...
March 20, 2012 at 10:16 PM

Cute naman ni Luna while running on the beach. Just sad na walang mga naka-thongs.haha

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 20, 2012 at 10:25 PM

Haha! Nahiya ako magshoot ng malapitan. Stalker-ish ;p

AJ said...
March 20, 2012 at 10:28 PM

You just had business class fall on your lap, why not a little tip for the driver for more good karma? Hehehe.

Is that Luna "submitting to the sea"? When I see the Atlantic, I'd sprint like her too. But in my barely-there thong and my Brazilian (both the shaving kind and the hotblooded kind I'm holding hands with, #wetdreaming).

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 20, 2012 at 10:39 PM

You crack me up AJ! Well, we gota feeling we actually paid for business class tix. That site must have tricked ze hubby. Le sigh.

ayan said...
March 21, 2012 at 12:24 AM

wow.nice
pero nkkdown pa rin...umasa ako sa title...tsktsk
lol

Musandam Dibba Tour said...
March 21, 2012 at 1:51 AM

information is great here for the tourists, i will be visiting this place again.

soloflightEd said...
March 21, 2012 at 2:25 AM

lol at AJ. hahahaha

hubad na kung hubad sa beach. ansarap maligo especially now na summer!

Unknown said...
March 21, 2012 at 3:31 AM

That beach looks lovely! Wouldn't mind a bottle myself (or two, or three)

And toddlers, oi, they just love water, don't they? The last time we hit the beach, when I finally pulled the little panda out of the water, he fell asleep on my shoulder within seconds. Living for the moment talaga. haha

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 21, 2012 at 3:47 AM

I hear you Yols! Happened to Luna too. Dropped dead after I pulled her out of the beach! And slept for hours :)

Rome Diwa said...
March 21, 2012 at 5:23 AM

Nice! ang lapad ng shore! at amputi ng sand! sarap magpagulong gulong jan ahahaha

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 21, 2012 at 5:40 AM

Rome, espasol ang ending nun. Hahaha!

Senyor Lakwatsero said...
March 21, 2012 at 7:19 AM

I'd probably be on the shore the whole day, beer in my hand too, and just watch the people :-)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 21, 2012 at 7:36 AM

^^And if there's an SLR in the other, it could probably get stolen in minutes ;p

Chyng said...
March 21, 2012 at 8:25 AM

i would appreciate if you post more sexy men next time. oohhlala brazilian men! =)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 21, 2012 at 9:03 AM

Ahaha! Will dig in my file Chyng :)

IndieEscape said...
March 21, 2012 at 9:43 AM

Hehe we pretty much have the same game plan when hitting the beach - let the kid loose and order some beer ;p

Jerome said...
March 21, 2012 at 10:24 AM

wow!!! if i can remember it right borocay usually have long and wide shores...mga early 90's at wala pa nung mga bars and malalaking resorts wala pa ngang ilaw...ang ganda dyan!!!!

XyzaSpeaks | The Purple Slippers said...
March 21, 2012 at 10:26 AM

Brazil... oh my... I'll be there soon. hehehe

I second the motion Chyng! hahaha

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 21, 2012 at 10:30 AM

Kim, haha! Let 'em loose and we get the chance to also let loose ;p

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 21, 2012 at 10:32 AM

Jerome, Boracay's shore must have looked wider then cause there were less restos on the beach. I'm pretty impressed with Brazil, they are able to keep permanent establishments further inland.

Unknown said...
March 21, 2012 at 11:08 AM

Hope you'll doing a European series in the future too. =)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 21, 2012 at 7:34 PM

Hihi, we need to save up heaps for that!

blissfulguro said...
March 21, 2012 at 9:59 PM

Luna is one brave kiddo... I was hoping for more hot men photos... close-ups :) hihi

pusangkalye said...
March 22, 2012 at 12:19 AM

ang mga beach sa kanila---adorned with so many buildings and hotels around no?parang Rio.kinda comfortable though.isang tumbling lang sand na.hahaha

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 22, 2012 at 1:00 AM

Anton, korek! Lapit lang buildings sa beach.

Nonoy said...
March 22, 2012 at 12:43 PM

Ang ganda! Makikita ba sa clouds yung image ni Jesus Christ? O dun s top of mountain?

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 23, 2012 at 1:41 AM

From Rio, yup, Christ The Redeemer can be seen on top of Corcovado mountain.

RIZALENIO said...
March 23, 2012 at 7:26 AM

Ang linis. As powdery as Bora ba yung sand nila? Dream of going here too just for the beach...and to people watch. People watching!!! Hahaha.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 23, 2012 at 9:45 AM

Lito, it's been years since I visited Boracay so couln't really say... But yeah, this beach also has super fine sand.

Anonymous said...
March 23, 2012 at 10:44 PM

Mukhang postcard! Totoo ba na nagkalat ang mga mala-mowdels sa beach there?

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 24, 2012 at 9:56 PM

Haha, yeah. Dami modelish peeps :)

Christian | Lakad Pilipinas said...
March 24, 2012 at 11:55 PM

awww no photos! :D

natawa naman ako sa pantomine encounter nyo hahaha

Kura said...
March 25, 2012 at 10:35 AM

spell W-I-D-E stretch of beach. parang mala-boracay ang sand. masyadong na-amaze si baby girl. hihihi! deadma na si mommy. ^_^

Karla said...
March 27, 2012 at 3:19 PM

The beach looks so lovely! :) No wonder cutie Luna can't help but rush to the water. Brazil is one of my dream destinations! Can't wait to read more stories. :D

Red Nomad OZ said...
March 27, 2012 at 5:50 PM

Sensational! That beach sure gives the beaches downunder in Australia a run for their money!! And sadly, while OZ is full of our famous 'Big Things', there's no Big Jesus!!

ardee sean said...
March 28, 2012 at 4:24 PM

ganda ng pagkablue nung clouds at sobrang white nung sands.. sarap lang tumambay sa mga umbrella.. :P

Relentless Karla said...
March 28, 2012 at 5:09 PM

Gorgeous beach! Goodness gracious me. *closes mouth* Ahem! ;-) Grabe si Luna, super friend talaga nya ang sand. Beach doll certified like mummy! <3

Kate said...
March 28, 2012 at 6:12 PM

That photo of Luna running to the beach is so cute! Take care and have fun!

NYC Hotel said...
April 3, 2012 at 4:37 PM

Looks like a awesome seaside.we need to preserve up plenty for that!

Ian | GoingRoamingWandering said...
April 10, 2012 at 7:17 PM

I experience the same pantomime encounter in China hotel.. It was really hard! Anyway, the beach is so wideeee and the sands is so white.. is it or because of the sunlight or cam effect? It looks so inviting!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
April 10, 2012 at 11:04 PM

It's blinding white as it is! Kakabulag pag walang shades :)

Rome Dylan said...
May 4, 2012 at 5:20 PM

Is this beach full of beautiful women?
If it is, i'm sold... lol

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
May 4, 2012 at 7:28 PM

Haha! Yep :)

praveen said...
May 7, 2012 at 7:04 PM

hi,
this beach looking very nice.

thanks.

praveen
www.mytravelo.com

Hazel said...
May 18, 2012 at 7:02 PM

Love the beach..!

ooze said...
May 28, 2012 at 1:50 PM

great blog:) thanks for sharing this. I really enjoy reading your blog

chel said...
June 7, 2012 at 9:15 PM

I expected luna in a thong! Hahahaha!

Doc Wends said...
August 6, 2012 at 9:43 AM

The sight of Luna submitting towards the waves reminded me our Tambobong jaunt Gay. I love this and as usually a trademark, remarkable post.

See u again soon :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
August 6, 2012 at 9:59 AM

Haha! She's a true water baby doc :) Hope to see you again soon.

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...