RIO - - - de Janeiro!
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Today we were on the Road to Rio.
We checked out of Paraty, and hopped in a bus to Rio. The coastline on the drive there was pretty spectacular. Such a wonderful area - it's like a James Bond film location every corner!
After 3-4hrs of driving we got our first glimpse of Corcovado, the hunchback mountain with a small man on top of it - more commonly referred to as Christ the Redeemer.
We drove into Rio city proper then through a tunnel in one mountain then back out the same tunnel for some strange reason-[we weren't lost, that's just apparently the way] then up the winding cobblestone drive to the mountain summit until finally we reached the top.
The view from here was already spectacular - part of the city and coast revealed itself through the trees.
We got a shuttle up to the statue and headed up the stairs through the crowds to Christ.
UNBELIEVABLE is all I can say. I really can see now why it's one the new seven wonders. The statue itself is large but not huge, however the view and position in the landscape and city creates a magical place of wonder. From the Christs plinth you have panoramic views of the whole of Rio, with the city wrapping around the mountains, ocean and lakes in a shoe horn shape. The islands and mountains jutting out from the Atlantic ocean make for a stunning coastline, along with the far reaching beaches.
Really can't say enough about this place, except that it really does feel like being on top of the world. Of all the lookouts, sky decks and observation towers I've ever been to, this viewpoint trumps them all.
That being said our next stop was the Sugar Loaf mountains, but first, we drive down through Santa Teresa. It's a quaint little neighborhood nestled into the hillside with lovely architecture and a cute little tram line coming up from town.
At the bottom, we stopped off at the steps going from Lapa to Santa Teresa. Really cool. The 40m high public stairway is a work of art by a Chilean artist, completed tiled in mosaic like off cuts. Very funky!
The drive through town to the Sugar loaf was really cool too- gave us the chance to get our bearings and suss out where the cool things were.
We then headed to the sugar loaf and caught the pair of cable cars up the mountains. These cable cars were the ones in the James Bond film with Jaws.
The views from up up here were equally spectacular. You looked back to Christ and down over Copacabana and Ipanema then around over the harbor to Flsmengo and Centre of town. I'm loving Rio, such a picturesque place. And the weather, stunning.
We made our way back down and then to our hotel. It's a block back from Copacabana beach with stunning views and central location.
We wandered the area did a bit, checking out the juice bars, haiviana store and the markets. The streets are thriving, the main beach strip is open and a buzz with markets, beer/caipiranha stalls and palm trees, while the streets one and two blocks in are cavernous,shaded tree lined hubs, much like Potts point in Sydney.
We bought several pairs of haivianas before heading out with our tour group for one last group dinner. It was at a restaurant on the top floor of a 30storey hotel on the main drag. A bit fancy, again, but amazing view over the iconic beach.
Was sad that our time with these peeps was coming to an end. Been really fun and enjoyable. Made some good friends.
We headed down the main street for a look at the night markets and several caipiranhas and caipiroskas. Such a tough life.
I'm in love with Rio!!
- Blog from iMat
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