From Sugar (Loaf) to Sand

As we woke this morning we are cruising through Guanabara Bay on our way into port in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The suns rising over the city giving some great views. We are the first of 6 Cruise Ships into port today ready for the fun of Carnival 2019.

First stop on our tour today is Corcovada, “Christ the Redeemer”. After a drive through the city to the train station we collect our tickets and climb aboard the Cog Wheel Train for the steep ride up the side of the mountain to reach the first stage of Christ The Redeemer. Then onto an elevator, (or climb 200 steps), then several escalators to reach the base of the statue, along with several hundred other tourists. Each train carries 120 people and they run every 20 minutes, so there are a few people here. The 360 degree views are clear and we have some great views out over the city and harbour. Hundreds of people are jostling for just the right spot to take a photo of this 125 metre statue of Christ with his arms outstretched over the city. After our allotted time we decide to take the steps down to our meeting spot before catching the train back down to our bus. Then it’s over to Sugar Loaf Mountain. This takes an hour or so negotiating the traffic and then it’s waiting in line to get our tickets for the gondola ride up to the first stop. On this lower mountain we stop for a helicopter ride out over Copocobana Beach and Ipanema Beach then back to land. As this is Carnival week there are street blocks, not what you think a street bock would be, but the street is blocked by hundreds of people dancing, playing music, watching and just getting together. The crowds follow an app and they continually move so only temporarily holding up the already congested traffic. (P:- The Samba Music, Bright clothing and colourful characters are fun to watch!)

From the air we can see two huge street blocks, one along Copacobana waterfront and another at Ipanema. There must have been thousands at both blocks. Once back on land we continue up the gondola ride to reach the top of Sugar Loaf. Well I’m assuming the mountain is there. The gondolas disappear into the mist and the mountain top is not visible at all. It’s quite the ride as we ascend into the clouds and disembark into the misty air on top of the mountain. We only have 20 minutes here, just long enough to see nothing. Then it’s to the end of the line that snakes it’s way around the mountain top to wait for the ride back down. After an hour in line we make it to the gondola just as the cloud breaks and we get a fleeting look at the view, before it disappears again. Oh well, we can’t have everything go our way all the time and the “Chopper” ride gave us more diverse views anyway. (We can see why it’s called Sugar Loaf as it looks like sugar sprinkled over the mountain when the clouds surround it.) We are just pleased we did the helicopter trip for a different perspective of the area. Then it’s back to the ship. We have been gone for 6 hours just to view these two icons of Rio. But it was worth every minute. As we breakfasted this morning the couple next to us said that they weren’t doing the tours as they heard they would have to wait in lines for up to 3 hours. Yes we did have some waiting but it was worth every minute. I can’t understand that they have cruised for 26 days and 6408 miles to get to Brazil and then are not visiting these iconic places. This is amongst others who were happy to watch previous years Carnival on U tube!

(P:- or even worse they didn’t know they were going to be in Rio at Carnival time despite it being in the Cruise Title, advertising and itinerary! Add to that many who departed us in Rio somewhat disappointed they never saw much of the Amazon – which was and is clearly marked in the Itinerary as being on the second half of the adventure! I am fairly sure some people must get around in fairy land — or MAYBE their Son – In – Law bought them a cruise to anywhere to give him (son in law) a break for a while!!!!!)

Copacobana Beach is our destination this morning. We are grabbing a taxi to get out there to spend a couple of hours before we have a quiet afternoon before Carnaval this evening.

We are dropped off at one end of the beach and head down to the water for a stroll along the beach. The water is lovely and warm and the waves are pounding in, this is the Atlantic Ocean after all. We spend an hour walking along taking in the views, good and bad. It seems the less clothing the women wear, the more the men wear. (P:- I have heard many mutters from Judith that the less fabric in the bikinis the more fabric there is in the men’s board shorts! )

Along the beach there are guys selling bikini tops, hats, sarongs, water, drinks and cooked prawns on skewers. Once we reach the boardwalk just about everything could be purchased, food, drinks, jewellery, outfits for Carnaval, ie tutus, fancy headwear, beads, hats, sequins and sparkles. There are several markets along the way as we head back to our starting point. Part way along we head back a street to get off the waterfront and the streetscape changes to more local areas local foods and local stores. The quick couple of hours soon extended in to a fantastic four or five!!!

Once back at the ship we have a quick lunch before having a snooze before we head out to Carnaval tonight at 7.pm. We are excited to see what the Sambadrome is all about.