Rio de Janeiro Day 2

After getting settled in yesterday, there was no rest for the weary. We were up and out for checkout later than planned after trying to navigate the online booking system for Christ the Redeemer. Because we checked out later than planned, and the uber was longer than expected due to Carnaval traffic, we were cutting it close to get checked in at our next hotel in Botafogo and get to Christ the Redeemer for our time slot on the train. It wasn't busy at the hotel, so we quickly checked in and were on our way to Christ the Redeemer (in another expensive uber, no time for the bus unfortunately like we originally planned).

We were half running up to the window to get checked in for our time slot at 1:30. Turns out all our rushing was futile because their timed entry isn't strict. Our ticket read 2:20, we joined a long line to board the train, almost an hour after the time we had booked. Now we were starting to feel stressed about getting to our next timed slot, which was a stricter entry time, at Sugar Loaf Mountain. We also hadn't eaten anything yet, at all, because of the rushing around which wasn't helping our general demeanor. Luckily the line moved swiftly and we got on the train around 2:00 and made the 15-20 minute journey up the mountain. Interestingly, there were a couple of stops on the way, although I'm not sure what passengers would have been getting on in the middle of the jungle. That being said, at one of the stops, there were some guys with coolers selling water by passing water and money through the open windows.

Once we reached the top, we disembarked the train and walked up the steps. We did have to make a pit stop for over priced tourist food in the tiny restaurant just under Christ's feet. After our crappy cheese fries and ham and cheese croissant, we finished the short walk up the stairs to see Christ the Redeemer. It was busy, and the sun was just over His left shoulder, so it was hard to get good pictures. We popped our heads into the small chapel inside Christ where about ten people could fit and take part in the service that was taking place. Christ the Redeemer is such an icon of Rio de Janeiro, but we were surprised by how small it was in real life. It always looks so much bigger in pictures and movies on top of the hill. It was still really cool to see, but yeah, much smaller than we thought. The views from the top of Christ the Redeemer's mountain top were pretty impressive. We could see a majority of Rio stretching out below us: all the beaches, buildings, favelas, and Sugar Loaf.

We didn't linger too long after getting our pictures because we had to make our way across Rio to get to Sugar Loaf in time for our time slot. We again waited in the long line to get in the small train back down the mountain and with all of the tourist traffic for Carnaval, it took a little while to catch an uber and make our way across the city. Thankfully we made it in time for our time slot, but it was a bit close. Sugar Loaf has two hill tops connected to the ground by cable cars. We didn't have to wait in a line for our first cable car to the first peak. I was surprised when we got to the top. There were shops, restaurants, and even a DJ and people dancing! We met up with our Chinese friends, Ge and Yating, and got the second cable car to the next, slightly higher, peak. This peak also had some shops and restaurants, but much smaller than the other peak. We could see Christ the Redeemer in the distance, but the angle of the sun made it tricky to get good pictures. We had some acai at the top and got some pictures of the sun because it was a good view for the sunset before the sun would dip behind the mountains. While we were up there, it was getting busier with people finding a spot on the balcony for the sunset. Having got some pictures already, and knowing more people would be crowding this space, we went in the cable car back down to the first peak. It still had nice views of the sunset and Christ the Redeemer.

Back at the first peak, we were glad we went to the second one when we did, there was a HUGE line to go up. We made our way to a viewing platform at the first peak and watched the sun dip behind the mountains. We even saw a little monkey while we were here! After the sunset, we debated heading back down to ground level before the line got really long. In the end, we decided to stay and watch the sky change colors and see the lights of Rio from above. We also shared a black IPA while we watched (it was a lovely beer). We had some pretty purples and pinks of dusk, and Rio at night was beautiful with the twinkling lights on the coast and randomly dotted around the mountains and valleys. We did end up having to wait in a fairly long line to get back down in the final cable car, but it was worth it to see the city views.

Once at ground level, we decided to enjoy the nice night and walk along the beach, on the sidewalk though not in the sand (Allan hates sand). It was peaceful and a pleasant temperature. We stopped along the way for some dinner too. When we got back to the hotel, we took a sigh of relief, and exhaustion, at the end of a very busy day. Two of Rio's icons checked off today. Now, we can really focus on Carnaval!Read more