Day 259 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
May 10, 2011 15 Comments
Day 259 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 05/07/11 Mileage: 0
The weather was overcast in the morning but I went out to see the sights anyway hoping the weather would clear, which thankfully it did. I was feeling adventurous so instead of taking a taxi I just hopped on the first bus going in the general direction I wanted to go and hoped for the best.
Sugarloaf Mountain from downtown….still in the clouds…
Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer barely visible from downtown Rio…
As luck would have it it passed within a half mile of my first stop…the gondola to Sugarloaf Mountain. Like everything in Brazil it was a little pricey, but it does give you an amazing panoramic view of the harbor and the city.
To the left is Copacabana Beach…to the right downtown Rio…
Looking across to Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer above downtown Rio…
So after lingering for a while to take it all in, I moved on to the most famous site in Rio and perhaps one of the most famous in the world…the statue of Christ the Redeemer high above the city atop Corcovado Mountain. There is a cog railway that takes you from city level to the base of the monument which provided good views as well.
It was a short scramble from the train up the last few sets of stairs and then you are there with the entire cityscape of Rio stretched out before you.
It certainly was one of the most impressive sights I have ever seen for sure. If there is a more beautiful setting for a city, I don’t know of it…..it’s simply amazing.
Maracana Stadium….the largest soccer stadium in the world!
I stayed for quite a while taking in the view and soaking it all in, then headed back to Impanema. By this time the sun was starting to set so I went down to the beach to check out the scene.
To say that Brazilians, and particularly those in Rio, love the beach would very much understating the fact!
It seems everyone was there basking in the sun, playing soccer, volleyball, roller blading, biking and some were playing footvolley…a cross between volleyball and soccer. Think volleyball but you can use anything BUT your hands.
A footvolley game in progress…
.
.
That night I got a bite to eat and sampled the beer at several bars, just to make sure it was safe for everyone…what can I say, I’m a giver. 😉
From Deadhorse Down 
Soooooooooooo awesome!!!!
My God, what an incredible day…good for you! Has to be one of the top 100 days of your life I would think.
That was a good day for sure… 🙂
Wow! Statue of Christ is so big close up I can’t imagine what it must have been like in person!
Great pictures!
Jenn
It is BIG!!
THESE WERE UNREAL……JUST MAGNIFICIENT AND SO IMPRESSIVE. ….. THE BEACH ONES ARE SO DIFFERANT BECAUSE OF THE MOUNTAINS IN THE BACK GROUND. YOU WERE PRETTY HIGH UP THERE ON THAT RIDE BUT YOU ARE USED TO THAT FROM THE SKI SLOPES. THE PANARAMIC SHOTS GAVE ME CHILLS.
LENNY, YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WHEN YOU COME HOME……..THIS TRIP IS AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. LOVE YA, MOM
Rio is unique for sure…it’s a beautiful city…filled with beautiful people!
Wow! Really impressive! I can’t imagine being there! Love , Lisa
Yeah, it’s an amazing city for sure….
Lenny – it’s been awhile since I have posted, but I check your blog every day (somesimes twice). Your pics are amazine. Ride safe and see you when you return.
The 3 Flynns
Thanks Mo! Can’t wait to catch up with you guys when I get back!
LOOKS LIKE YOU REALLY MOVED TODAY!!! HOPE YOU HAD CLEAR WEATHER. I NOTICE THAT EVERYONE KEEPS COMPLIMENTING YOU ON THE BLOG…….IT IS BEYOND AMAZING.
STAY SAFE AND WELL. LOVE YA, MOM
Chris wanted me to tell you that one of the ASP surfing competions was in Rio this week…did you catch it? The finals are here in Long Beach…which is so unbelievable…this September. Anyway hopefully you caught some of it.
We are loving the journey…it’s so amazing 🙂 Happy Trails…see you soon!
Wow! I didn’t know that….I saw lots of people surfing but didn’t see a tournament. There are a lot of different beaches in Rio though, so it probably was at another beach…
Wow. Amazing. Looks like a great place. One that I would probably be happy living at!