Corcovado & the Christ Statue

Today we visited one of the most recognizable sights that identifies Rio - the Christ the Redeemer Statue on Corcovado. After 3 days of rain and fog we decided to take advantage of the clear weather and get some views of the city - it stands at 2300 feet. The statue itself is about 100 feet tall.

This pic proves that yes, we were really there - not just some postcard pic we ripped off :)

This is Ipanema from the back facing the Atlantic. To the right is Leblon - where you see the race tracks of the Jockey Club (horses, I'm guessing). The Lagoa (lake) sits behind Ipanema - it isn't clean enough for swimming, but people do recreational activities, like canoe, etc.

The pic below is the rival tourist sight to Corcovado - Pao de Acucar or "Sugar Loaf" - named by the Portuguese because it looked like the conical loaf in which refined sugar was sold(?). Apparently it also sounded similar to the indigenous Tupi people's name for it - "pau-nh-acugua" - which stands for high pointed peak. We'll probably take the trams to the top of this some other day.

Corcovado is in the Tijuca National Forest - an urban rainforest that was a reforestation project on what used to be coffee plantations. The spider below was enough to freak me out - the body was probably 3 -4 inches in length with legs just as long - have no idea what kind it is, but I'm just glad I haven't found any in our apartment!

A lot of beautiful butterflies twirled around us as we walked around the park - this one stayed still long enough for a picture - the wings were actually yellowish - the flash kind of washed it out.

These were the highlight of our walk. According to a website they are a kind of monkey called "marmosets" and are supposedly friendly, but these ones were too busy eating and chasing to be our friends. It was totally worth our long walk just to see these guys!

And lastly, Joe spotted this creature in the wild "urban" jungle - a classic Mercury - they were having some type of "50's" dance at a restaurant down the street and this seemed to be part of the festivities.

We have had a good time here so far - despite a few rainy days - and are starting to feel more like "cariocas" (locals) every day. Boa Noite!

Welcome to Rio De Janeiro

Well we arrived in RIO and we are settling into our apartment here in Ipanema beach. (Yes, another beach - we like them, can you tell?) It was a little cloudy on Tuesday afternoon when we got in. The Christ the Redeemer statue was dressed in fog so we couldn't get a good view of it on the way in. The weather is still hot and sticky, like Salvador, but at night it isn't quite so muggy. We had sun yesterday (see pics), but today we have had a heavy rain all afternoon.

Sunny Day on Ipanema beach

This is the main mixed drink of Brazil, the Caipirinha, (Ki-pay-reen-ya), a mix of cachaca -the local rum - lime juice, limes, and sugar - good on a hot day.

Joe in the background making some new friends as they had a football! (American not soccer Futbol) They had no idea how to throw it so Joe did a quick "how to" clinic - they seemed to enjoy it. Behind Joe, way in the back, is the Christ statue up on the hill

The waves at Ipanema beach are huge compared to what we saw in Salvador. We saw one person get rescued by a helicopter! They dropped down what looked like a big fish basket, picked him up and hauled him back to shore after being pulled out by the current - pretty crazy and the highlight of our first day.

We have had to kind of get used to "big city life" again. Ipanema has a much more intense vibe than Salvador and it is extremely beautiful in some areas, like the beach and the amazing shops and malls, but much grittier in others. Every day we encounter a new challenge (like laundry - good grief) that we learn from.

We have a lot of time here and things seem to be picking up for Carnaval. We hope to get to be a part of some of the great street parades that happen nearby as well as do some regular tourist-y things like seeing the Christ statue, etc., so we'll keep you posted.
Tchau!

The Pelourinho

On Sunday we visited the downtown historic district of Salvador, the Pelourinho, which stands for "whipping post" - as that is what the original square was used for carrying out punishments for crimes and runaway slaves. It grew into a sort of colorful city center and has been protected and revitalized. The colonial architecture is what stands out as well as the bright colors of the buildings. There were also many beautiful chuches that circle the main square. We were only able to tour one, but it was amazing.
It gave us a true taste of "Salvdorian" culture, including the yummy "moqueca" below (shrimp, peppers, onions fried in dende oil from the palm trees).

A cobble stone street scene- if no one else were around you'd think you were in the 1700's! The Afro-Brazilian women traditionally wore the finely made lace light colored dresses seen on the right.

The church we toured, the "Ordem Terciera de Sao Francisco" - the facade is made of carved Spanish sandstone - which our tour guide called "chalk". We couldn't take pics inside, but there was a sanctuary plated in gold - and we even got to go into the crypt!

This is a good example of the buildings and streets. This is the true historical center of the area - the Largo do Pelourinho.







Here is a video of a parade - playing the traditional drum beats and music you hear everywhere here.

SALVADOR!

On to the next stop. We are in Salvador - a city of 3 million! (Third largest in Brazil) We are staying in the Barra neighborhood - kind of Venice-like. Busy beach scene with lots going on.








This is an example of the Carnival preparations going on - lots of quick, temporary colorful "viewing areas" for people to watch the parade from in a few weeks.

Who are these very pale people?

Pics of our modest pousada - inside and the courtyard - a very mixed group of travelers. And we can't forget our Brazilian essentials - sandals and something sporting the national colors (and provding a little protection from the blazing rays).

That's all for now....Tchau!

Tudo bem amigos?

(translated: How's everything friends?)

We made it to Brazil - finally!
Our first stop is the little village of Praia do Forte. Kind of a local tourist destination. Very little english spoken anywhere. Beaches are the main attraction here and they are lovely. Our pousada (hotel) , Sobrado do Vila, is clean and simple.




















We visited the sea turtle reserve, Project TAMAR, maintained by conservationists and the government. They assist thousands of baby sea turtles in getting to the ocean after they hatch and help to protect 5 different species of sea turtle as well. They also rescue injured turtles.
They are HUGE 4-5ft long. The one on the right is a baby turtle (3 inches). So cool to see!































Here is a video of one also.

BRRR!

Here is the temperature in Michigan while we are visiting friends and family - a whopping 2 degrees. The windchill makes it even more "fun"! This will only make us appreciate our warm temps in South America more, right?

Vaccinations Complete!

Hepatitis A Vaccine - $90

Yellow Fever Vaccine - $95

Typhoid Vaccine - $60

Not catching a Potentially Life Threatening Disease...
Priceless