Flights and Day 1!!

Day 1 is finally in the books. After almost 14 months of planning it feels surreal to finally be here. Everything about the flights was just peachy besides the whole flying overnight thing. I connected in Houston and there were a number of paralympians on the second flight.... Perty cool. Despite a late take-off we arrived in Rio on schedule after 10 hours overnight where I compensated for the uncomfortable middle seat with gravol and two glasses of wine. Zzz

After we landed, I arrived to my hostel too early for check-in so I left my bag and headed out to the highly recommended Botanical Gardens (Jardim Botanico). And they did not disappoint! Talk about lush vegetation and luscious flowers! Huge variety of flora and fauna in a huge space right in the city. Rio is unlike any place I have ever seen before. A huge city next to the ocean on one side and mountainous jungle on the other. Talk about spectacular.
Here's some images of the Jardim Botanico:

I loved the Orchid House! And felt like my mother taking so many pictures of flowers!

Next stop, part of Freitas Lagoon (Lagoa), this is where the rowing is set up for the Olympics.

Last sightseeing of the day was Park Lage, another lush and luscious park. You barely have to walk into the park before you can't hear traffic and basically forget you are in the city!

After checking in to the hostel I went for dinner with 3 other girls staying at the same place, then celebrated my first night of travel with some caipirinhas and flip cup and a few other games at the hostel!

So far I am loving this city and loving the people, travellers and locals, everyone is extremely friendly and any culture shock I initially experienced is fast disappearing. Two more days in Rio might not be enough! I do get to come back for one more before Peru