I got up with a goal—walking on the beach and along the coastline from Leme, the far end of Copacabana, to Leblon, the far end of Ipanema.

Not a very creative route, mind you, but the best way to enjoy a hot, steamy and possibly stormy Sunday in Rio de Janeiro… and bump into blocos along the way.

Yes, Carnival is starting soon. It’s early this year. This weekend was “pre-Carnaval” (in case you were wondering, yes, there’s also a “post-Carnaval”) and Rio was in full “don’t give a damn about anything else” mode.

I was staying in an Airbnb in Leme, so this is where I headed first. This far end of Copacabana is quieter, less touristy. The perk is the lovely Mureta do Leme, a short seaside trail with the best views of Copacabana.

From there, I walked on Copacabana beach all the way to the end, four kilometres further. I don’t like swimming here, the water is often dirty and the waves are strong. However, it’s an amazing place for people-watching both on the sand and on Avenida Atlântica. From buff Cariocas to lost tourists, from favela families to the Copacabana Palace guests, everybody shares the same free open place—this is rare enough to be mentioned.

I kept on going to Ipanema, making a stop at the Pedra do Arpoador. This is a top sunset spot but I already suspected it would be raining by then.

I bumped into two blocos on Ipanema, both messy, loud and lively, just the way I like them.

The Leblon mirador, just below Vidigal, was my last stop… it was starting to rain and it was getting dark anyway.

I walked back to Leme, kind of soaked, kind of dirty and kind of tired—the typical Rio experience.

Next up, Cabo Frio.