Time in Rio de Janeiro was brief and as my main focus was the Pearl Jam concert, the city’s famous sites will wait until next visit.

I was lucky enough to stay in Zoe and Ramon’s great apartment while they were away – thank you! For 1.5 days I was a short walk from Ipanema beach and even closer to the metro. Yes, that Ipanema.

The sea is visible from Zoe and Ramon’s place in Ipanema

Historically, places of worship have towered over other buildings – not for this Ipanema church

Dozens of frigate birds hovered over Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Surfer catching a way, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Every Sunday the Ipanema Hippie Market sets up, with many stalls selling all sorts of hand crafts and trinkets

Across the valley from expensive Ipanema is a favela or poor neighbourhood

Walkway across the valley from. Rio, like Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte also has many hills

Air planes at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeao Airport