We have seen many beautiful views in Rio but our favorite was from Sugar Loaf Mountain. The view of the sea stretching as far as the eye can see was amazing. The site itself was very well manicured tropical vegetation and very peaceful. We were going to visit the Botanical Garden, but.... after all the rain we encountered, when our last day was bright and sunny, we couldn't resist the beach! Sorry botanical gardens but its hard to beat a sunny day at the beach. We also checked out nightlife in Lapa! We were looking for Samba music but found so much more!!! Why didn't anyone tell us how full of life their nightlife was!? Enjoy our last days in Rio through our pictures! Stay tuned as we travel to Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil!
 |
| View of Corcovado Mountain with Cristo from Sugar Loaf |
 |
| Nelson with the inventor of the cable cars that run up to the mountain. |
 |
| Allie looking good! |
 |
| Allie with a view of Rio from up above. |
 |
| Climbing our way up to Sugar Loaf in the cable car |
 |
| Do you see what I see? |
 |
| Living the life |
 |
| View of beautiful Rio |
 |
| Bacalao Balls |
 |
| Can't beat this |
 |
| Another day in paradise |
 |
| Every Sunday they close major streets for bikers, walkers, runners and skate boarders |
 |
| Nelson negotiating with a beach vendor |
 |
| At the Copa... Copacabana... |
 |
| Mary, our Angel with us |
 |
| ...and Buddha too. |
 |
| Nelson's feijoada. It's a dish that consists of a stew with beans, beef, and pork. |
 |
| This was the serving for one person! The pot is the beans and meat stew, served with a plate of rice, greens, pork rinds, and a breadcrumb onion like mix. |
 |
| Out on the town, in Lapa! |
 |
| Allie in Lapa at a Samba club |
 |
| Nelson's drink, notice the cards on the table. They servers check off how many drinks you have had, incase they lose count! |
 |
| Our samba singer/dancer with live band |
 |
| When we headed to Lapa, we didn't know what to expect. We were told, if you want Samba music, go to Lapa. When we arrived it was a full out street party! The roads were blocked by cops. There were street vendors everywhere selling beer and food for very cheap. People singing and dancing in the street. All kinds of people from college students to the elderly. If you wanted a good time, you apparently went to Lapa! Here is a view of the street crowd. |
 |
| Nelson joining the group dance that was going on in the street. |
 |
| The dancing woman getting frustrated at Nelson for not knowing the steps! At least he tried! |
 |
| Street vendors with anything you could think of from burgers to hot dogs to beer to men walking around with bottles of tequila selling shots! |
 |
| For as much fun and partying that occurred we felt incredibly safe. The cops were everywhere patrolling the streets. No one was rowdy or got out of hand that we saw. |
 |
| Dancing in the streets... |
 |
| Taxis line up at the end of the main road to take every home after an amazing night! |
 |
| The highlight of our night... Ron Paul look alike!!! This man danced ALL night, in the street, and knew every samba song they played. He drank beer from a straw and seemed to be having the time of his life! He danced with pretty girls when he could, but just enjoyed dancing by himself for the most part. He would twist his way all the way down low to the ground and back up! We should all be a little more like him and dance like no one is watching! |
Sugar Loaf Mountain has some wonderful "birds eye" view of Rio. It looks like you fit as much possible into your last day. Mary's Angel on the beach in Rio, who would have ever thought she would have made the trip :)
ReplyDeleteLapa looked interesting and I'm glad to hear it was SAFE! The dance instructor looked a but frustrated with the student :)