But it's the Brazilian people that make this city . . . so warm, smiling and very hospitable.

It's a wonderful place to energise yourself, especially at this time of year.

I've been coming to Rio now for five years, every January. It's an escape, a reward, a little treat for myself. I had always heard people talking about it and so I came for the first time to see for myself what it was like. I was bowled over by its beauty . . . it reminded me of southern China where my own roots are and from where my parents came. . . the way the mountains just rise up, it's stunning. I remember very clearly being on the plane and coming into land the first time . . . the sheer beauty of it, with water all around, something that is a good Chinese omen, of course. When I visit I always stay at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. The service is wonderful and the atmosphere has a mixture of old world charm coupled with a friendliness that is more casual than in Europe. I couldn't think of ever staying anywhere else. There's a 45-metre pool where I do my 100 laps a day.

And the food? Well, there are so many good restaurants in Rio but I love the Olympia with its French-style cooking that uses Brazilian ingredients . . . fish, fruits and the like. It's really quite exotic with the chef managing to fuse the whole thing to perfection. I've never actually been to Rio for Carnival but I'd have to say that every time I'm here it seems to have a kind of carnival atmosphere . . . on the beach, on the streets. . . It's a love of life, I suppose.

In conversation with Roslyn Dee From 8-19 February the Cellar restaurant in the Merrion Hotel in Dublin (www. merrionhotel. com) will present the 'Ken Hom Experience' with the celebrity chef working alongside the Merrion's executive chef, Ed Cooney, to create Chineseinspired dishes to mark Chinese New Year