Sound Of Pictures: The January River... RIO!

I was craving for so long to visit Rio de Janeiro throughout my trip and Rio was the last stop on our itinerary. It was amazing. Exactly what the doctor ordered. (Well, literally since my mother's a doctor and she kind of ordered us the flight tickets to come on the trip to meet my brother's in-laws).

I was like a kid in a candy store. As soon as I landed, I was greeted by a very good looking Brazilian customs officer. geezz... I knew I was in for a treat already! I stepped out of the airport exhausted and mentally drained from the flights and then I laid eyes on Rio. It was completely different to what I was used to. The sights were breathtaking and exotic. There was a mountain next to a lake which was next to a city which was next to the beach. It was as if everything just sprouted out of the ground including the buildings. It was visually stimulating and I could already taste the culture, the history, the festivities, the food and the fun.

Throughout our stay in Rio, we got to: soak up the sun on Copacobana & Ipanema Beach (girl from Ipanema dadada I know how cool), go to a salsa club and see live bossa and salsa beats play, experience aggressive rain & boisterous storms, witness a Carnivale practice session alongside the beach, travel up the winding favela roads and make our way down a 3 hour tour through the favelas and interacting with the community where locals dare not to enter, do the typical sites such as Christ the redeemer & Sugar Loaf Mountains, and practice my Portugese (which I didn't do too badly). The funny thing I picked up on the way was since I was holding an SLR, I was asked a couple of times to take photos of local people. I don't know why, (usually brazilian guys) came up to me and requested to take a photo of them. Perhaps they thought I was a Japanese photojournalist reporting to the Japanese newspaper/magazine that I work for thus making them an instant star. I was always mistaken for a japanese there (not a bad guess since Brazil does have the highest population of Japanese people outside of Japan. Then again I can pass for every asian country but philippines).

Long story short, I absolutely loved Rio and will definitely return. I got the best tan (although someone did say I looked like an indian because I was so dark!) and went swimming every single day I was there (even when it rained) because the temperature of the water was sublime. It wasn't too cold like the sydney waters (I know I can be a bit of a princess sometimes). I also thought the Brazilian kids were amongst the most beautiful and lively kids I've encountered. They had the best colouring and features and they just had so much life and joy in them. It's amazing how much of an impression a place can have on you within a span of 7 days...

Brazilians splashing around on Copacobana Beach.

Child in his own little world

How talented they all were. Their passion for soccer(football) was intense (naturally). And did i I not say the Brazilians were gorgeous?

These super strong vendors walked around in the soaring heat carrying their body weight in merchandise & clothes all day.

On the Sugar Loaf Mountain as a child peers down mesmerised by the stunning view.

The Mermaid statue on the Sugar Loaf Mountain. I think I was too exhausted to read the caption.

My cousin was impressed by the sheer beauty Rio beaches and mountains had... until she pointed out the hot guy in the red shorts. He's the first thing I see in this image now. Not a great sound heard from the photo...

This image I captured while on the bus (in discretion). I see how bad the poverty is over there and I can't help but be affected. I think it's a good thing to be aware of these situations and how hard it is. I know it may sound strange but I actually realised how lucky I was in every aspect of my life. This trip enabled me to gain a deeper appreciation in everything. This homeless guy who could've easily been a model for some fashion campaign proves how hard life can be.

It may sound weird, but I find it a lot easier to capture kids than it is adults. I get an honesty and innocence from them that I can't achieve with adults. Their lack of self-consciousness is exactly what photographers crave for. Their ability to stay natural and even curious is an exciting thing to capture. Their sensitivity is dominant and their sound is pure. These are the face of Brazil...

The boys from the Favelas were using empty gasoline tins and other everyday tools they found and used them as percussion instruments busking around the corner. Their rhythm was upbeat and had a joyous hum to it matched with an infectious beat.

The favelas were filled with laughter and joy, children bustling around socialising and mingling with a genuine feel for community.

This child was so amused by the bubbles being blown around on Copacobana beach. His excitement was melting everyone's hearts.

This boy was part of the Percussion group in Rocinha Favelas.

This child was part of the Carnivale group that was rehearsing and encouraging everyone on the Copacobana strip to join in the singing and dancing while promoting their catchy tunes and rhythmic dancing. It was such a festive mood.