Catch up on the Buzios buzz

I watched unperturbed as my husband of nine years wrapped his arms around Brigette Bardot in a tender embrace, blissfully oblivious to passers-by.

Bardot didn't seem to mind as she sat gazing out at the turquoise ocean — maybe she was accustomed to such reactions.

Or maybe, it was not Bardot in the flesh but her spitting image sculpted in bronze.

Welcome to paradise Búzios, where the sun is mellow and each moment is measured in the echo of the ceaseless waves.

Búzios is a chic beach resort town about 100km from Rio de Janeiro city, on the southwestern edge of Brazil, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean.

Búzios lies just over the Tropic of Capricorn and is called the St Tropez of Brazil.

It is now a playground for the rich and famous with celebrity-owned properties dotting the landscape.

History of the place

At the outset, it was the Portuguese who ruled Brazil but in 1550, it was the French pirates who took control with the help of local Tamoio Indians.

It wasn't until 65 years later, in 1615, that the French were driven away by the Portuguese and the Tamoio Indians massacred as ordered by the newly elected governor of Rio de Janeiro.

Three centuries later, in 1964, the French paid a visit to Búzios once more, but this time, it was the actress Brigette Bardot. Hounded by the paparazzi, Brigette and her boyfriend, Bob Zagury, escaped to Búzios.

They came up with a plan that a photographer friend would capture their Brazilian holiday and share the photos with the press if they agreed not to pursue her further.

The plan worked like a charm and that is how the love story between a woman and a tropical paradise began.

This sleepy fishing village was put on the world map with the growing international interest about the picturesque place that had captivated Bardot.

It is in her honour that the bronze sculpture now sits on Orla Bardot or Bardot Boulevard, a delightful cove lined with boutiques, restaurants and pousadas (family-run hotels).

Our cosy room in Abracadabra Hotel had a view worth writing home about.

Overlooking the harbour where small fishing boats gently bobbed over shimmering waters and jade-green trees fanned the coastline for as far as the eye could see, we settled down on deckchairs, listening to the sound of the waves mingling with soothing music from a café on the street below.

Good deal for all

Numerous hotels and pousadas dot the peninsula and rooms are available for both budget travellers and those wishing to live it up.

Right next door to our hotel is the fancy and immaculately charming Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel and Spa, one of Brazil's leading boutique hotels.

Rua das Pedras, or Stone Street, is where the action is, especially at night.

Stylish boutiques, bars, restaurants and cafés line either side of the street.

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to food and music is ever-pervasive, creating a lively, buzzing atmosphere which continues till the early hours of the morn.

Local restaurants and fancy eateries offer anything from Italian pizzas, Moroccan and Thai cuisines to local delicacies.
As we meandered down the coast towards Praia dos Ossos, or the Beach of the Bones, another sculpture stopped us in our tracks — three sun-browned fishermen up to their ankles in sand, pulling in their nets, their feet drenched from the ceaseless waves.

After walking for what seemed like ages, we felt famished. Lunch, we finally decided, would be Brazilian-style seafood, freshly caught and grilled to perfection.

All for local orientation

On our second day, for a bit of local orientation, we hopped on to the minitour bus Búzios Trolley, which came complete with a friendly English-speaking Carioca (Rio-born) guide.

We had hardly begun our ride when the driver announced that the bus had had a flat tyre. So we had to stop and change buses — a blessing in disguise.

The breathtaking view, the call of the seagulls hovering above, the frothy white surf breaking over the aquamarine water — we couldn't have found a better spot for a breakdown had we actually planned it ourselves.

Twenty minutes later, we were on our way, stopping at various points to admire the incredible beaches, coves and hilltops.

It is not uncommon to see whales and even penguins pass these waters, we are told.

Being in the mood for some more adventure, we caught a schooner ride at midday.

Along with another 20 tourists, mostly Argentinians, our skipper and crew raised anchor and set sail.

Lively samba music truly set the mood and soon, a lemon-based Brazilian drink and snacks were doing the rounds.

Some snorkelled in the clear blue-green water while others lazed around, sunbathing on the deck.

The water was increasingly choppy on the way back to the bay and our schooner dipped and rolled as the waves heaved and swelled around us — all of which was incredibly exhilarating.

Something for everyone

Making the most of the time left to us in this paradise, we managed to fit in an hour of kayaking in a tranquil cove the next morning. There seemed to be something for every visitor in Búzios.

Not unlike oysters hiding precious pearls, Búzios is a spectacular cape where emerald mountains envelop alluring beaches.

On our last evening there, we sat, content, at the pier, looking out at the schooners and fishing boats as the crimson sun set on the horizon.

As we strolled back from our last supper there, we bid adieu to the three tireless fishermen and the exquisite Bardot looking forward to yet another golden Búzios daybreak.

Popular beaches

The most famous of the golden beaches are Praia Azeda and Praia Azedinha, Praia Ferradura, Praia Tartaruga, Praia de Joao Fernandes, Praia Geribá and Praia dos Ossos (Beach of the Bones).

Water sports

A bounty of secluded beaches means water sports junkies
can get their share of sailing, surfing, windsurfing, diving, kiteboarding, kayaking, snorkelling, scuba and, of course, swimming.

— Andrea Bailey is a UAE-based freelance writer

Go there ... Buzios ... From the UAE

From Dubai

Closest airport to Buzios is Rio de Janeiro.

— Information courtesy: The Holiday Lounge by Dnata.
Ph: 04-3166160