5ft 7 in

  When Graham surfs in Peru, I do not typically go and watch as often as I should.   For one, it is still chilly here.  Second,  let's face it the dog is a priority. Lastly, the girls are not as gung ho about surfing as Graham is.  But on Sunday I made the effort and the entire family minus the puppy went to the beach to see if Graham could handle his new smaller surf board.  He graduated to a 5ft 7in board.  It is about 4 inches smaller than his first board.  4 inches does not seem like much but apparently in the surf world it means faster and more tricks.  Watching him head out into the water, I worried the board would not keep him afloat.  But, of course, he floated just fine and I was shocked he got up on his first wave.

Final Friday in Rio

Friday, October 14, 2016

On our last day in Rio we hit up some of the less popular sites but still just as stunning.  We woke up early to take a 2 hour boat tour around Guanabara Bay.  There was no sunshine in the morning.  We just could not catch a break when we "toured" to have some sunshine.  Then we went to Tijuca National Forest, and finally we were dropped off at Copacabana Forte.  We walked back from there to our apartment and then had to begin packing up for our very early flight back to Lima!

We had a great time in Rio, and would definitely go back.

Christ the Redeemer

Sugar Loaf Mountain

Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon

Waterfall at Tijuca National Park

Brian pointing out our apartment from across Copacabana.

We found a Tex Mex restaurant just near our apartment and we had to have a giant Margarita!

The margarita was as big as Graham's head.

Layne catching a few zzzz's on the airplane home.

Surfing in Arpoador

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Today, we set aside the day to let Graham surf.  We walked to the next beach over which was better for surfing.  Once we reached the beach we could see surfers in the water and the waves were definitely different than what the kids were used to in Lima.  The girls opted to hang back and play in the water and sand.  We found an instructor on the beach to rent a board from and take him out into the water.  The waves at Arpoador broke closer to the beach, so we were able to see him surfing much closer.

The girls running in the surf!

Paddling out

Favorite pic of him surfing!

Graham with his instructor

This is grilled queso on the beach!  It was so delicious.

Lunch at Za Za's

Best dinner of the trip!

Picanha