Rio - Beaches and More!

As well as more beach-going,

UV Information Board with SPF recommendations: Blacks & Mulatos – SPF20-30; everyone else - SPF50

On Copacabana

Ipanema behind us

Capoeira,

Capoeira display at our hostel

Cats,




And caipirinhas (of course), we did make the effort to see the sights in Rio.

Unfortunately, the weather turned for the worst and when we went to both Christ the Redeemer and the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf), it was pretty cloudy.

Our first view of JC isn’t so impressive

So the other JC does his best impression

The clouds part for a moment to reveal Christ the Redeemer

A brief look at Rio below with Ipanema behind the lagoon before the clouds roll back over

Rio from Sugarloaf with Copacabana beach behind me

Sunset with Christ the Redeemer on the right

We also ventured out of Rio, spending a day in picturesque Petrópolis, once the summer home of Dom Pedro II, the Emperor of Brazil.

Statue of Dom Pedro II

The Imperial Palace, currently under renovation

We had to wear slippers over our shoes to protect the floors of the palace

Palácio Rio Negro, a former presidential palace turned museum

Detail of the ceiling inside. It used to be covered in colourful frescos like this but most of it is now painted white

The gothic church

And stayed on the lovely Ilha Grande, where I spent a few last desperate days building up my tan and vitamin D levels before flying north.

Vila do Abraão, Ilha Grande

Brazil was a wonderful place to end our journey in South America. We met some great people and had a lot of fun, as well as seeing and experiencing many unique things.

So long, and thanks for all the fruit!