Itaparica, Brazil

I just returned from an amazingly wonderful, short trip to Itaparica, Brazil. It is a very small island off Salvadore. I was there with Holly McPeak to play in an exhibition match against the Brazilian team of Ana Paula and Leila.

From the moment we landed, we were treated wonderfully. We were brought to the island by helicopter and greeted at the Club Med where we stayed with coconuts with straws in them. It was heavenly. We were to play an exhibition match the next day, so we had about 24 hours to acclimate. We practiced for a bit to get our legs moving and blood pumping.

Then we played 4 on 4 and 6 on 6 with some of the other patrons of the Club Med. It was great fun. We taught the models that were there for a fashion show how to play. They were great sports and we had a good time with them.

The exhibition match was great. Neither side of the court was all that sharp, so it was a very close match. Each game was decided by just 2 points. We won the first game, lost the second, and then came back to win the third game. The crowd was really into it. Several people told us afterward that they were not sure if beach volleyball was like tennis where you have to be quiet. So after each point, there would be cheering and then you would hear the crowd go "shhhhhhh!!!" just as someone was about to serve.

After we won, we had the rest of the time to enjoy ourselves and mingle with the guests. They were so nice and treated us so well. We were spoiled. We got complimentary hair conditioning treatments, excellent authentic Brazilian food, several coconuts, and lots of great people to converse with. I even took my chances on the trapeze swing! It was great fun, but boy was I nervous.

All in all, it was the perfect little volleyball excursion in early December. Now that I am home, I start my workouts in the gym with Brooke. She is 3 weeks ahead of me, so I have some catching up to do. Thank goodness I love hard work!

FYI - I posted a few pictures from my recent trip to Hong Kong on my website. There are a few in the main Gallery and even more in the Members Only Gallery. Check them out.

Happy Holidays to you all!

Angie