Last Day In Paradise

Saturday 24 March

Our last day in Buzios dawned sunny and blue, and, not to change the habit of a week, we stretched out on the balcony, soaking up the scene – the wide sweep of the bay, the rows of terracotta roofs spilling over the crescent of hills around the town, with a few spires and palms trees outlined along the summit. With its eclectic mix of restaurants and bars and year round sun, it is paradise on earth. How could we bear to leave – only by putting a return visit on our ‘must do’ list. Early in the afternoon, new guests arrived in the room next door – we had peeked in the door this morning and found a complete transformation from the yellow ochre devastation we had seen earlier in the week to a light and airy room, with pristine white walls highlighting large sunflower pictures, huge white lattice cupboard doors, and a queen-size white bed – hopefully all the paint was dry.

Promptly at 15.30 we presented ourselves at the Spa reception desk. Colin was introduced to Simone – the same young lady who did my massage on Thursday – who would be his masseur today, and I was introduced to Unmad – a small, stocky, balding fifty year old man, with twinkly eyes?! Before we were led away to change into the beguiling black micro swimwear, I mentioned, through the receptionist, that I liked firm massages. We climbed on to the treatment tables, with our faces in the face holes, so we could no longer see each other – even though we were in the ‘double room’ together. I had again chosen “nature” music as I thought Colin might appreciate the twittering birds and tinkly piano in the background, but he said he would have chosen “classical” – can you imagine a massage to the 1812?

Actually, that might have been appropriate for my massage. While Colin was being gently soothed and pampered by Simone, Unmad had taken me at my word – “firm” - and set about assaulting my body with his fingers poking and prodding me deeply all over, before working my back, legs and arms with his elbows, knees and heels of his hands – painful or what! He worked down my spine, around my shoulders and hips before incorporating a few Thai massage moves, by bending my limbs around my body into positions that they haven’t been pushed into - at least since Thailand, and maybe even further back than that. It was all very invigorating and more of a work-out. By the end I felt quite exhausted and the cup of green tea was most welcome. Colin, on the other had, had been breathing deeply for much of his massage – he denies falling asleep, but I don’t think he was far from it – he said he found the experience ‘sensual and relaxing’.

We took advantage of the balcony for one last time, as more lightning flashed behind the hills, and then the rain we have come to expect each evening, arrived. Tonight we were eating in the hotel restaurant and as we arrived we spied the moon - a partially cloud covered crescent - the first time we had seen it at this resort. We made the most of our last opportunity to sup caipirinhas before both of us chose carpaccio beef with capers and parmesan as our starter. We followed this with skewered prawns for me (so delicious last time, that I couldn’t resist a second helping) and fillet steak for Colin. The food we have eaten in Buzios has all been first class, but the hotel certainly has some imaginative tasty dishes and is one of the best eateries at this resort. We had no room for desserts, but lingered over finishing our wine and teas, until almost all the tables were set ready for breakfast. We wandered back to the room, and I attacked the last of my packing – putting as much as possible in the pink “trunk”, so that it probably weighed well over 30 kgs. Colin had managed to stow most of his belongings in his case too, reducing the number of bags we would be carrying – although we may have to rethink this when we get to Barcelona. We took one last look at the bay – once more under dark cloudy skies with no sign of the moon or stars now – before settling down to sleep.