Have I mentioned this to you before?
Since moving to Rio over 2 years ago, I have noticed that skateboarding is becoming more and more popular there. There's also a different type of skateboard that's popular there, it's a bit longer and almost flexible compared to the traditional board. Anyway if you are looking for a place to practice your ollie, the lagoa has a park.
We just went through the painful-on-the-pocketbook renewal of our fees for our gym/club this past month. As I was running on the beach the other day (and -cough- NOT on the treadmill at the club... which I never do by the way, only run on the lagoa or at the beach. Which begs the question as to why we belong but really it is mostly to take the Canadoca to the pool! Ok, it is also really nice to have the option of working out indoors when it is pouring buckets or steaming hot.) when it occurred to me that we are suckers! You can work out for free in Rio, and like at the gym or academia as they are called here, you can even spot novella stars if you are lucky. Some of Rio's free outdoor exercise equipment has been recently revamped. Check it out!
Though I had been to the Jardim Botanico on a number of occasions and had even taken the Canadoca there plenty, my first time at the playground there was just a couple of weeks ago. I'll be back soon! What a gorgeous park - and they have PROPER BABY SWINGS, people!!! Not something that you come across often in Rio.
As a funny little aside that struck me as typical - when I entered the park that particular day, a fellow approached me and asked if I would like to have a guided tour as he knew all about the park, it's history, he could really show me around, etc. Politely declining, I asked him if he might be so kind as to point me in the direction of the playground. He didn't know one existed! Eek! Glad I didn't take that tour...
Without further adieu, here are my photos of the playground at Jardim Botanico.
Brazilians of all ages LOVE babies - check out my friend getting swarmed by some older kids. Her baby IS adorable....
Follow up that playdate with lunch at Da Graca (typical Brazilian fare) on the other side of the Jardim - Rua Pacheco Le�o, 780 and you have a very nice little day on your hands!
Another great place to take your little one! In Ipanema, just past Posto 8.
This kiosk sells more things that Baixo Bebe (honestly I worry for them over there - how do they survive? Do they really sell enough agua do coco to make ends meet? By the way, seeing someone empty agua do coco directly from the coconut into a baby bottle is also a daily occurance here in Rio.) such as meals, etc. There is also a fellow enforcing a lot of "rules" such as no drinks in certain areas, etc. You know, keeping the riff raff in line. By riff raff I mean my friend, who was recently scolded ;)
Like Baixo Bebe, this Itaipava Kiosk place offers toddlers and babies alike stunning views from plastic playhouses. In addition, this location offers a soft play area (see first photo, below), and shade!
The Canadoca has a Grams down here, and at Grams' place, there is a fantastic play area which is basically a playground. Going to Grams' place is like going to Disneyland. There's a trampoline, a ball pit, tunnels to climb through, safe baby swings (most parks just have chair style swings which the Canadoca is too little for), playhouses, bikes and cars. Seriously, it's Disneyland. The point of this post is for people who are thinking of moving to Rio or planning to, to let them know that these buildings exist in case they want these amenities. Here are some shots of Grams' Disneyland...
For those who wanted to see an updated photo of the Canadoca:
I plan to start a series on parks & playgrounds in this area - what they have to offer, where they are located...
The Canadoca and I have been doing some research on this, you know, going to the park and stuff.
It often occurs to me that she will look at her baby pictures and look not at her little tulip lips or deep blue eyes but at what's in the background and say, uh, mom, why did we leave? I want to go back! And likely the saudade will set in for me too...
Because when you have this view from the window in the playhouse at Baixo Bebe, why would you want to leave?
Baixo Bebe is a kiosk with fantastic toys for kids and a change area, located between Postsos 11 & 12 in Leblon on the beach.
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