Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

We have enjoyed a two day lay over in Rio and had a wonderful time. This is a city we would both like to revisit when it is a little quieter - Carnaval (carnival) is crazy busy with lots of tourists and Brazilians in the city having a great party time.
The city is located in a very large bay which has numerous islands, beaches and smaller bays within it. The most famous beach is Copacabana. Two miles of white sand  but unfortunately not very clean water.

Sunrise over Rio



Christine bless her heart - bit her lip hard and suppressed her fear of heights to ride the cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain - YEAH!!!! She was a bit wobbly at the top and was not only pleased with herself but enjoyed the awesome views as her reward.

Oh dear what have I got myself into?

View from part way up the Sugar Loaf



The following day we rode in a narrow gauge electric train up to the Christ the Redeemer statue. Fortunately this rock is covered in vegetation and there is no sensation of height from in the train carriage. More awesome views were enjoyed.

The little train

This statue is 40 meters tall - Christ the Redeemer

Monkeys came to entertain the tourists

As  evening approaches the streets begin to fill with people and the Carnaval floats are marshaled ready for the Samba competitions - wild does not describe this event.

Can someone do a quick head count before the fire marshals start to worry

Ready for Carnaval

A view of Sugar Loaf (foreground) and Christ the Redeemer (back far left)



It may be a couple of days before you hear from us again - we are now on our way to Buenos Aires, Argentina and then Montevideo, Uruguay. The days are getting longer now as we travel south and also will soon become cooler. Jackets and sweaters at the ready boys and girls.