Brazil: Copacabana and Tumbling Capibaras

It was a sunny Friday afternoon, and I was riding my BMX bike with one leg tucked into my sock and a light breeze blowing through my shag. Joey, Ray, and I were headed to Hilltop Video.

Fridays were two-for-one DVD rental night, and there was nothing better than grabbing a Meat Mountain from Topper’s Pizza and watching whatever new Adam Sandler movie had just dropped.

We walked in and were greeted by the usual couple behind the counter. I browsed the posters, grabbed one from The Fast and the Furious, and made a mental note to tape it to the ceiling of my bedroom.

Ray pulled me toward the new releases. One cover stood out—a sun-drenched image of a couple on a beach. Something about it was calling to me. We had no idea at the time that City of God was in Portuguese with subtitles. The owner gave us a heads-up about the graphic content, but waved us off with: “It tells an amazing story no one should miss.”

City of God was my first introduction to Brazil. Rio de Janeiro, to be specific. It’s an unforgettable film—guns, drugs, gangs, and the chaos of favela life. But also romance. Character arcs. Stunning direction. It’s one of those rare cultural snapshots—a raw, beautiful coming-of-age story that captures a generation.

Now, if you’ve seen this movie, you’re probably asking yourself: “Luc, why on earth did you go there?”

I wish I had a better reason, but to save myself from sounding like a liar: I saw a $400 round-trip flight and booked it on impulse.

I did zero planning, had no expectations, and barely skimmed a guidebook. I knew I’d spend most of the trip in Rio, with a three-day detour to Iguazu Falls, and let the rest unfold however it wanted to. Turned out to be the right move. It gave Brazil the room to surprise me in the best ways.

Before we jump into the photos, a quick note—I didn’t get the full time in Rio de Janeiro I’d planned. The reason? A terrifying moment mid-flight.

As we were descending into Bogotá, our plane flew straight into a thunderstorm. The turbulence hit hard. Hard enough to tilt the entire aircraft about 45 degrees sideways. Gasps filled the cabin. For a few long seconds, we were all gripping our seats, completely unsure if we were about to crash.

Somehow, the pilot managed to regain control, leveling us out and pulling us sharply back into the sky. We rerouted and landed in Medellín to catch our breath. I missed my connection to Rio, spent the night in Bogotá, and honestly just felt grateful to be on the ground.

After that terrifying flight, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Brazil—but what followed was easily one of the best solo trips I’ve ever taken.

Rio De Janeiro

Each day felt like its own little movie. I wandered the length of Copacabana with a beer in one hand and a drone in the other. Took naps by rooftop pools. Ate ceviche on the beach while watching strangers swim way too far out. I explored Michelin-star restaurants and sketchy sports bars, had weird encounters with finger guns on the street, and found a rhythm between chaos and calm that just worked.

I saw Christ the Redeemer up close—massive and mist-wrapped, perched above Rio like it was holding the sky itself. I lit a cigar and sipped whisky on a rooftop while working on my novel. I got lost in Parque Lage, discovered secret gardens, and met a group of kind Canadians at the gate.

The food? Unreal. From high-end seafood platters at Marine Resto to the life-changing lasagna at a small Italian spot called Artigiano, I ate like royalty. And when I wasn’t eating, I was wandering—museums, markets, colourful steps, mysterious private islands, or just wherever the beach pulled me.

Oh, and the game at Maracanã Stadium? Electric. Thousands singing in unison, 20-foot flags waving, drums pounding—pure adrenaline. I left drenched in sweat and grinning, still buzzing from the energy of it all. By the end, even my hotel upgraded me without asking. Brazil just kept surprising me—in the best ways.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls was easily the highlight of the trip. I started on the Argentinian side, where we hiked to the top of Devil’s Throat and got soaked. Then came a speedboat ride through the base of the falls—loud, chaotic, and absolutely unreal. Later, on the Brazilian side, it got even better. You don’t just view the falls from a distance there—you walk right into the heart of them. Surrounded by mist and the thunder of the roaring current, I felt completely immersed.

Everything about it hit harder than expected. I met some great people, got some solid drone shots, and ended each night with good food, cigars, and a quiet patio to take it all in. I even squeezed in a visit to Parque das Aves before flying out—a peaceful bird sanctuary that made for the perfect send-off. Iguazu wasn’t just beautiful; it's massive, humbling, and unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

Brazil blew me away. It was safer than I expected, friendlier than I imagined, and more beautiful than I can properly explain. From the raw power of Iguazu Falls to the rhythm of Rio’s beaches and streets, everything had a kind of energy that stuck with me. The food ranged from unreal to forgettable—just like any big city—but the moments in between were what made it. Rooftop cigars, golden-hour drone shots, strangers who became friends. I’ll absolutely be back. Next time with more bug spray… and maybe a little more Portuguese.