Rio…….A Real Treat!!

Rio De Janeiro is not the capital of Brazil but it is a city in that country that we are very familiar with. It is known for the iconic stature of Christ the Redeemer Sugarloaf Mountain and the beautiful beaches that are easily accessible from many sections of the city.

We took a Sunday morning tour of the stature, the artistic sections of Rio and the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Rio is a well lived in city. We stayed in the Copacabana neighbourhood and had about a four block walk to the beach. It was fun to have a famous drink: Caipirinha and watch the paddle and Foot Volleyball games (players can not use their hands— only head, feet and body).

I loved the sidewalks with the intricate tile pavers. There were plenty of stores, restaurants and sidewalk fruit and vegetable stands.

Sunday provided the opportunity to attend a Mass and wander through the giant food market for local delicacies.

Rio feels like a lot of places but has such a unique personality that it will stay in my favorite memories. It is somewhat shabby but this tends to lend charm and character.

We traveled out of the city to Paraty—an old port town.

The cobblestone streets flood at high tide. The stones came over on the ships from Portugal. They were needed to keep the transported loads balanced.

From Paraty we caught a ferry to Illha Grande, an island paradise popular with Rio residents. The water was clear, the sand soft and the atmosphere very “beachy”.

This was the perfect way to wind down my latest adventure. It was great to share time with my neighbors to the south, experience their culture and feast on the cuisine.

I found everyone was friendly and while a lot of folks didn’t speak English (and that’s all I know) I was able to communicate with hand signals and a smile.

Chow Chow South America and thank you for a great visit!!!