New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro

 

 

Unfortunately I am not talking about myself. I was not the lucky one to spend New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro - my brother was. He is currently on a two-week holiday in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. His trip with four of his friends started on December 25th. As I already mentioned, they had the unique chance to spend New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach. I am a very adventurous person myself and love travelling more than anything else, which makes me really really jealous of my brother. Ever since he told me about his New Year's Eve in Brazil I am dreaming about spending New Year's Eve there as well some day in the near future.

I did some research on how the inhabtitants of Rio de Janeiro usually spend their New Year's Eve and here's what I found out. (I did not find out too many details about it from my brother yet, because he is busy going sightseeing and lying on the beach, tanning in the searing sun of Brazil - average temperature: 38 degreees) Anyway, Copacabane Beach is famous for its amazing celebration and fireworks display. New Year's Eve takes place in the middle of the summer, right when the temperature is at its highest and when the kids are off school. Many people traditionally wear white clothes and throw flowers and/or small mementos into the surf believing that if they do not come back, their wish or prayer will be granted. The fireworks display at midnight is famous all over the world and is watched by several million people on the beach. So, I can only imagine that you do not have a lot of personal space and that pickpockets make a fortune on December 31st. The fireworks are launched from various barges in the ocean. According to me it is completely overwhelming and one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life. I spent my New Year's Eve at the Schlossberg in Graz and thought the fireworks were stunning, but take a look at the video I posted below and see for yourself that the fireworks in Rio de Janeiro are not that famous all over the world for no reason.
One day, I am certain of that, I will spend New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro and enjoy the amazing fireworks. It must be even more beautiful to experience it live than it already is on the video.

Happy New Year and All the Best for 2013!!!!