Back to Rio

Taking off from the cliff during hang-gliding
see all photos »

Well Rio is definitely the most beautiful City I have ever visited.  In fact, everyone I have met has said the same thing.

Since returning here from Ilha Grande, such has been my itinerary

Beauty, beauty and more beauty.....

Friday 24th March - Got back from Ilha Grande in the evening.  Went out in Lapa at night, where every Friday feels like carnaval, with streets lined with bars and revelers dancing and enjoying in the night.

View from ''up there!!''
see all photos »

Saturday 25th - Ipanema beach during the day, people watching, and enjoying the sun, sand and waves.  Party in the hostel at night.

Sunday 26th - Rained most of the day so stayed indoors and played card games and had a great time with other holidaymakers and travellers.  Into town at night for a few drinks.

Monday 27th - went to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue at the highest point in Rio.  The view from here is second to none.  One can really see the true beauty of this city from up there....the beaches, the mountains, the skyscrapers, the lakes, the islands......definitely a spectacle.  Had a surprise bonus whilst here as I saw the shooting of a Bollywood movie (Dhoom part 2) and met the crew (Uday Chopra and Bipasha Basu - very friendly and down-to-earth people).  The afternoon was spent again on Ipanema beach, and at night, we went to a local nightclub in Botafogo.

The Teatro Municipal, where we saw the ballet
see all photos »

Tuesday 28th - went to the other popular viewpoint in Rio......Pao du Açucar, or Sugar loaf in English, which was equally as amazing as the Christ statue.  The cablecar ride there was fun and the views were spectacular.  The landscape views from here were different to the ones seen from the Christ statue which made it more interesting.  Again, the views made me realise the beauty of this City.......spectacular!

Wednesday 29th - Spent the day in the city centre.......something of a change from the posh beach suburbs.  Visited a large market and walked around the city.  In the evening, went to watch the Rio Cup football final at the Maracanã stadium (the worlds biggest football stadium), which was a great experience.  PS - I also attempted tight rope walking, which was great fun.  I was not as bad as I expected!!

At the Rio Cup Final game at the Maracana stadium
see all photos »

Thursday 30th - Back to Copacabana but this time to the shopping area instead of the beach (the weather wasn't great for beach bumming).  Bought a few souvenirs and presents.  Came back to Botofogo and went to the local shopping centre.  In the evening, went to the 'Teatro Municipal' for the opening night of the ballet.  It was my first time to a ballet, and although it was all in German (a language I can't understand) I had a great time.  A very different and special experience......highly recommended.

Ipanema beach
see all photos »

Friday 31st - The final day of my trip......(sniff sniff).  Today, I did one of the most amazing things I have ever done in my life........HANG GLIDING over Rio de Janeiro!!!  Surprisingly, I had no fear whatsoever of jumping off that cliff.  Flying over Rio for those 15 minutes was magical.  This is the closest one could come to being a bird in the sky!!!!  Taking off from an altitude of 550 metres, going around that part of the city for 15 minutes, and eventually landing by the water on a clear white beach was great!!! This should be done by anyone visiting RIO!!!!  Friday evening was spent partying like crazy on the streets of Lapa with some of the people from the hostel.  Got to bed after 6am.  Great night.

At the 'Christ The Redeemer' statue
see all photos »

Saturday 1st April - Had to wake up early as I had only a few hours to sort many things out before heading off to the airport.  With a pounding headaches, Marius (a Danish friend I made there) and I headed off to the market in the Uruguaiana area of the city to do some last minute shopping.  Came back to the hostel, packed up and left for the airport.  Got the flight at 7pm to Madrid.