First stage - Brazil

Jardim Botanica
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2nd Sept - Arrived Saturday morning really tired and got a taxi to the Hostel - probably paid too much but didn't want to get lost in a Favela!!!!

Went for a walk, about 20 minutes they said , but it took at least half an hour, to the Botanic Gardens and found a wonderful aquarium in the stump of a really old, big tree!!

I always thought Rio was a hot and sunny place!!!

3rd Sept - Went to Santa Teresa - expected it to be a bit like Monte Martre from the description.  Caught the bus and were told where to get off and then walked  the rest of the way - found out later that this was not the sort of area you were supposed to walk around in, but we were being looked after thank God.

Strange aquarium in an old tree stump!!!
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4th Sept - torrential rain - I always thought Rio was a hot and sunny place! Went to the Museo do Indio only to find out it was closed on Mondays for cleaning.  Went back to the Hostel and found out that another group were going on a Favela tour so we booked on that and thought at least we would get out.  The rain kept on and we were absolutely soaked through when we went on the back of a motorbike to get to the top of the Favela - we then walked down through the main narrow alley, visiting artists, a nursery and a bakery on the way.  It was definitely an eye opener - most of the people who live there are really friendly.  They live in such cramped conditions.  At least there was no smell today, but the rain came over our boots and it was like walking through a waterfall!!

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5th Sept - Managed to see the Museo do Indio at last  really good and then we went for a walk around the 'Cinlandia' area of the main town - the traffic is horrendous and the drivers scary so many of them, lane hopping and at speed - how there aren't more accidents I don't know.

6th Sept - Went on the Corcovado tour.  Climbed Pedra Bonita, it took about 30 minutes and was very steep, I was out of breath when we got to the top, the views were really good and thankfully the weather was fine.

View of the Christ the Redeemer Statue
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From there we went through the Tijuca forest and saw a small troop of monkeys on our way up to the Statue of Christ (30 metres high and 28 metres span).  It was AWESOME the views were like a topography of the place, you could see all the areas - don't think I took enough pictures I was just looking at everything.  We only had a short time and then were off again - perfect timing 'cos the clouds started to descend and the views would have been spoiled.

The tour carried on to Santa Tereza, where we stopped for Feijoada a traditional stew made by the slaves in days gone by - it was ok but don't think I'll try it again, especially now 'cos someone told me what's in it - of all, pig's ears and trotters etc and other rough cuts of meat!!!

The Favela tour
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Carried on down to the area we had walked through to be told by the guide that the area wasn't safe for us to get out of the vehicle anymore and that this part of the tour had been removed from the agenda for safety reasons!!!

7th Sept - Went to Sugar loaf Mountain (walking) and then the Copacabana (caught the bus for safety) for a Caprinha cocktail.  Views were really good again and although the weather was cold it was clear.  Then walked back to the hostel and waited until it was time to catch our bus to the next stop, Belo Horizonte, the bus was to leave at 11.30 and the journey last for 7 hours over night.  Luckily the seats fully reclined and we got a little bit of sleep.