Our first stop in Brazil was the continents biggest metropolis.. São Paulo.

We landed the day before Jonny’s 24th birthday and for that reason we had booked a nice hotel before even leaving the UK for our three days here. Quickly collecting our baggage we headed out into the sun – oh no, sorry wait, that is what you would expect to read being in Brazil and all, however the rain was crashing down and it resembled more Manchester than we cared to admit. After a long taxi journey through the what was now torrential downpour we pulled up outside our accommodation for the next few days. Walking into the lobby our eyes lit up, an on site restaurant, lifts (a luxury we had rarely seen in our trip thus far, especially in places we could afford to stay), a fitness suite, an indoor pool and a very professional looking front desk made us extremely enthusiastic about our stay here. After a smooth check in even with our non-existent Portuguese we were thrilled to be strolling down the hallway of a proper hotel for the first time. Upon entrance to the room we were greeted with a minibar, snacks and even a hairdryer much to Hayley’s delight. The room was perfect and just what we needed. São Paulo had started well.

Due to arriving late in the evening we didn’t have much time left of the day, we took advantage of the convenient restaurant and took a quick walk around the block to get our bearings for the next day. We spent the rest of the evening with our heads in our trusty Lonely Planet guide planning a birthday outing and hunting for a restaurant to treat ourselves to a nice meal.

Morning came quickly and it was Jonny’s birthday. Obviously this being an unusual birthday by any standards the usual routine was out of the window. Instead we went down and sampled breakfast before changing and heading out, this time into the actual sun. As anyone who knows Jonny will be aware, he is somewhat a football fanatic so being in Brazil the obvious choice was to do something football related. Luckily, or unluckily in Hayley’s case, nearby was the national futebol museum, located at the stadium of one of Brazil’s most famous clubs – Santos.

A twenty minute walk through an extremely beautiful and peaceful residential area (most unexpected this close to the city centre) we arrived at our destination. Compared to the many football stadiums spread across the UK that Jonny has visited this one was quite different. Instead of being constructed clad in corrugated iron and colours of the home team it was quite bare. Simple concrete high rise with arches indicating the access points and all one colour – brownish yellow. We entered the museum for a small fee and were welcomed by Brazil’s most popular son – King Pele, as he is known here. Various sections took us through the history of Brazilian football and the progress of the game here, some included videos of famous goals and list of the countries most famous players. Culminating in a history of the World Cup – which Brazilians proudly tell you they have won the most times – and a view of the pitch, while the tour took just over an hour (longer if you can speak Portuguese and read all the information available). Coming out into one section of the stand was the most rewarding part of the tour and we were helped to imagine the place full of fans and the unreal atmosphere that Brazilian football is famous for by the loud speakers located nearby playing on loop a recording of a part of the crowd during a game. Hayley even managed to enjoy our time here and it was a good way to kick off our time in this famous footballing nation.

Next on the agenda was to FaceTime Jonny’s family to catch up and receive his birthday wishes. Helped by our swanky hotels wifi this wasn’t a problem and was wrapped up in a couple of hours. Obviously missing a birthday while travelling is a sacrifice that we are willing to make and more of a problem for those left at home (as we are always preoccupied seeing new places) but it is still nice to see and hear familiar voices on the day. During the chats we were told to find a nice restaurant to enjoy ourselves and have a posh meal to celebrate which the family would treat us to. We found a great Italian (number 100 on trip advisor out of a possible 35,000+ places to eat in São Paulo) just around the corner and went to book a table.

Climbing in a lift to the 40th floor of the Italian building, which we later realised is São Paulo’s second tallest, we emerged into a lobby and greeted by an English speaking waitress. She booked us a table for later than evening in the room with a live band as apposed to a piano player, the place must be posh we decided. As well as holding a restaurant with 360 degree views over São Paulo there was also a observation deck that we were allowed onto. Being high above south Americas largest city made us realise how huge the place actually is. Spreading as far as the eye could see were houses, high rise buildings and roadways, all intercepted by small bits of greenery and surrounded by greens hills. The view was spectacular and we struggled to spot any buildings as high as the one we were currently in, for obvious reasons.

After snapping some pictures and admiring this enormous city from a different angle we descended in the lift but not before being warned that flip flops, shorts and vests were not appropriate attire for this evenings dining period. Best to try and make ourselves look presentable then.

After a relaxing hour in the room we showered and tried our best to hide the fact that we are still backpackers, pretending to fit in with São Paulo’s upper class, and made way back to the restaurant. Again we had managed to scrub up quite well, as long as you didn’t look below the ankles to see our trainers that is.

We were given a window table with a perfect view out over this huge metropolis and as the day turned into night the view grew more and more spectacular. The band soon appeared and started to serenade us with some classics and also with their twists on some newer numbers. We ordered without thinking of price for the first time in a long time and were not disappointed when our food arrived shortly afterwards. Tucking into steak in a red wine sauce and some tender lamb was heavenly and we savoured every mouthful, constantly trying not to shovel in some of the best food we had eaten since leaving the UK.

After we had finished eating the restaurant was in full swing, complete with couples swaying away on the dance floor. Not being ones to pass up such an opportunity, that and being numerous cocktails, beers and glasses of wine into the evening, we got up and joined in for a short time – who says romance is dead?!

Next door to the restaurant, boasting somehow even better views over the city, there was a small piano bar, again, complete with musical entertainment. This time it came in the form of a solo artist singing along to piano music. Luckily scoring a small table next to the window we ordered another cocktail – Jonny decided to try out the famous Brazilian Caipirinha with a kiwi twist. It turned out to be the strongest cocktail either of us has ever had the pleasure of trying and after forcing it down we were well and truly ready to call it a night and began our short walk – by this time stumble – back to our hotel.

Daybreak the next morning was as imagined, a bit painful after our alcoholic consumption the previous night. However, we rose for breakfast but then crashed and spent the rest of the day as we often do at home after a night out, in bed watching Netflix of course.

Braving the fresh air later that evening we had an ulterior motive than just trying to shake a hangover. We had both read on many blogs, forums and in various guidebooks that Sao Paulo is not only famous for its football, but also for its pizza. Apparently it can be compared to the best in New York and even Italy. Obviously being huge pizza fans we wanted to try this out. Lonely Planet guided us to their number one option of ‘Brauhz’ and we were not disappointed. Starting with their famous pepperoni bread (which they bake in whole loaves and sell for parties and family gatherings among other things – we couldn’t help but imagine it at one of our family BBQ’s back home) we ordered our pizzas. Informed by the waiter that people generally order a large pizza here and split it half and half we opted to go with the majority. The pizza arrived soon after and looked incredible. In-between all the tables here are smaller tables complete with metal dishes to cover said pizzas and keep them warm while you eat a slice and not only this but the waiters spot you getting close to finishing the current piece and rush over, knife and fork in hand and grab you another slice before you even realise whats happening. The top notch service and the amazingly good pizza delighted us and we can not recommend this place enough.

We had taken a huge detour in our planned trip to come to Brazil at this time of year so we could visit the world famous Rio Carnival so here we started our own Road to Rio. Next stop, the small colonial seaside town of Paraty on the Costa Verde. Read about our time there soon.

Obrigado! Thanks for checking out our post

Jonny & Hayley 🙂