1) A taxi ride away are Centro Cultural Carioca ( here) and Trapiche Gamboa ( www.trapichegamboa.com.br/) both in beautifully restored old buildings.

2) I've visited Brazil many times, and on my last trip I convinced myself that I was an honorary Carioca, a true Rio native.

3) Hey, just because I'm traveling alone doesn't mean I can't ask a hunky Carioca volleyball player to put sunscreen on the hard-to-reach places.

4) Copacabana Piratas' Igor (right) runs with the ball during the Carioca Bowl 2009 final beach football game at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro December 20.

5) But hey, just because I'm traveling alone doesn't mean I can't ask a hunky Carioca volleyball player to put sunscreen on the hard-to-reach places.