The Meek Clan in and around Rio

 Grandpa is all smiles to be off the airplane and in the land of pao de queijo

After months of planning, the Meek clan (both Brazilian, Delewarean, and parts of Nevadan contingents) descended upon Rio de Janeiro for some fun in the sun in and around Rio.

it turns out he is full of a few funny faces as well

Annie is full of smiles because she is with her Bubby who loves her

And Bubby is full of smiles because she is with her granddaughter

Over our time in Rio we stayed in both Santa Teresa, and in Copacabana. We used the website airbnb.com, which I'm not getting paid to promote, but for which I should!, as it was a great way to find wonderful furnished apartments at reasonable rates for all of us to stay. It was so nice not to be in a hotel all the time, and be able to cook, socialize, and watch the Olympics every night! 

In addition to just hanging around and eating the lovely chocolate baked goods that Bubby brought (that Bubby!) we did a fair amount of site seeing, including to the botanical gardens pictured above.

Every once in a while, the excitement was too much, and Annie just needed some personal time with her favorite play thing: a leaf. Word to the wise, don't take this child to the desert, the tropical rainforest with its abundance of leaves is much more her speed.

Jim and Rita came down first, and so got a chance to do a little Rio exploring together.

And then Jon came down, and although Gita and Victoria were certainly missed, we really appreciated having Tio Joao around (at Parque Lage with Christ statue a faint line on the cliff above).

                                                        Gratuitous pretty root picture

On our travels we came across a variety of exercise parks for the "3rd age". Here is proof that we transcend those distinctions, as Annie on Grandpa's back, David and Jon in the background get our elliptical on. 

 

And for Annie we found a particularly nice low-hanging sturdy branch that served as a great bouncy gym.