Brazil - Rio de Janeiro Cidade Maravilhosa

The start of our three week trip in Brazil started in Rio de Janeiro. I didn't really have many expectations for Brazil other than being concerned for our safety as we read many horror stories on forums online of people being held at knife point, or stabbed and robbed or even worse- kidnapped or killed. 

So we started our trip out being very cautious, dressing down with no jewelry or purses/bags and we quickly realized that Rio de Janeiro wasn't really as dangerous as it was made out to be (only if you venture into the famous favelas). It is a beautiful, lively city, with of course the famous beaches Ipanema and Copacabana, and kiosks everywhere selling fresh fruit juices, coconut water in the coconut, and caipirinhas. 

Since Brazil is of course on the other side of the equator, while we were there in August, it was their winter. However a winter where the low is 75 and this high is 85 isn't so bad. The beaches were crowded with students in the afternoon who go and practice soccer, volleyball, racket ball, and just sit with their friends listening to music hanging out. 

We only had 3 days in Rio and so the first day we went to Pao de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain). We had perfect timing and we're at the top of one those oddly looking shaped mountains and had a gorgeous view of the sunset over looking all of the city. 

The second day we ventured up to see one of the seven wonders of the world- Cristo Redentor, Christ the Redeemer. In order to get all the way up there, we had to take a little train, then once up there it was a mass of tourists. You could barely walk around, however the incredibly large Jesus is quite impressive and the view is also breathtaking. 

We also were able to make it the Botanical Gardens in Rio, which were a delight. We saw all sorts of fish and monkeys and of course it's relaxing, peaceful, and full of beautiful flowers, trees, pergolas, waterfalls, and walking paths.