Rio de Janeiro
January 5th - 7th, 2017
Day 4 - January 5th
Two overnight flights, Manaus to São Paulo and São Paulo to Rio de Janiero were exhausting! We arrived to Premier Copacabana Hotel, it was so beautiful. It was far more luxurious then The Taj Hotel in Manaus. Tait gave us a few hours to go get some rest before we rejoined at 3pm to go over our next activity. Once in my room I started to enjoy the benefits of Wi-Fi and called my loved ones especially my fiancée. My roommates decided to go explore the beach immediately, I stayed behind and later met up with Tait, Heather, Erika, Ana R. and Georgie. We went walking around Rio and found a nice buffet style restaurant. It was delicious, it had a wide range of fruits and juices. As I sat down to eat Erika walked over with two plates full of food! I was surprised with all the amount of food she grabbed, I just wondered to myself the price it will be. Once we were finished we proceeded to pay, I wasn’t shocked when Erika and Tait had to pay more than 50 Reas. We then ventured to the beach just to see the view, it was jammed packed full of people. It was so hot that they had water hoses cooling off the sand. The view was beautiful, we then returned to the hotel.
Once we all met at 3pm we walked nearly around the corner to find the subway station. We waited for the next train in which we were all suppose to get on. What the group didn’t realize was that the door close very fast. The group got split into two and Georgie’s foot got stuck between the train door. Panic struck the group as the others where left behind. Tait decided we get off on the next stop, spread out on the train station and keep an eye out for the next arriving train to find our members. Surely in the next train there they where, we banged on the window and some waved to get out. We were all happy to reunite, we continued our train ride to the Centro. We walked around to see the city and its attractions at this point the group was overwhelmed by the whole getting lost experience. We decided to head back to the hotel.
We were on our own for dinner, Kim and I ventured out and had Chinese food. It was delicious, they served us so much that we had left overs for the next day.
Once we all met at 3pm we walked nearly around the corner to find the subway station. We waited for the next train in which we were all suppose to get on. What the group didn’t realize was that the door close very fast. The group got split into two and Georgie’s foot got stuck between the train door. Panic struck the group as the others where left behind. Tait decided we get off on the next stop, spread out on the train station and keep an eye out for the next arriving train to find our members. Surely in the next train there they where, we banged on the window and some waved to get out. We were all happy to reunite, we continued our train ride to the Centro. We walked around to see the city and its attractions at this point the group was overwhelmed by the whole getting lost experience. We decided to head back to the hotel.
We were on our own for dinner, Kim and I ventured out and had Chinese food. It was delicious, they served us so much that we had left overs for the next day.
Day 5 - January 6th
Today was an exciting day, we were going to see Christo the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain! We woke up very early in order to beat the magnitude of people there. The bus driver dropped us off at Alto da Boa Vista and then a small shuttle bus took us about half way to Christo. I went up a decent amount of steps and there he was. Christo was so huge! I never imagined he would be so tall and wide. I started taking pictures, selfies, and videos you name it. I also asked a couple friends to take a couple of pictures of me too. Towards the end of our stay at Christo I was glad it was time for us to go back down. The place got so crowded that it was impossible to take a picture without a stranger being in it.
We all got into cable carts that transported us to Sugarloaf Mountain. Sugarloaf was filled with panoramic views; it was much higher than Christo. The mountain also had a restaurant if people wanted to eat. After enjoying the scene, we got in line for the next cable cart that will take us back. When we were about to board, we heard Andy C. calling out “Tyler!” Andy C. had lost his ticket and could not board the cart. Tait and the guide were able to get Andy C. a bypass ticket and rejoin us. On our way back to the hotel we made a few stops, one was the former Olympic Stadium. Most of the group bought fake Brazilian jerseys from a man that was nearby. We then hopped on the bus and stopped at Sambódrom where we found some civilians dressed as carnival dancers. We all marveled at the colorful costumes and took pictures. Our following stop was Caterdral de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro it was a beautiful cathedral with a very tall colorful ceiling. We spent a few minutes then headed to our last stop. Lapa was an alley way famous for its tiles and colors. The most predominant color was red, different vendors were selling their crafts there. As a treat before our drive back, Tait treated us to fresh coconut water. |
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Day 6 - January 7th
We took a bus ride to Tijuca National Park. Once we arrived we stopped at a little museum they had with information. I went in and took pictures of what I found very interesting and useful that I could use for my presentation. Once we headed out Tait spoke briefly about the management of the park and its brief history. Then on we started our hiking experience, it was very humid and hard to breath. I was enjoying the view, there were so many sounds, different plants and animals. At one point in time I felt dehydrated even though I was drinking from my camel pack all day. Tyler happened to have some electrolyte powder and he told me to drink it assuring me that ill feel better. Sure enough within a few minutes or so I felt much better. We continued our hike for hours, once we returned to our beginning point we were all drenched. I felt like someone poured a bucket of water on me I was soaked.
Once we returned Tait gave us the option of having dinner with him at Ipanema beach or going to Copacabana on our own. The group parted ways and I decided to have lunch with Tait. We found an awesome restaurant that was air conditioned with TVs inside. Tait, Tyler, Kim, Jackyln, Heather, Christian, Andy T., Lester and I ordered our foods. The food at that restaurant was so delicious, my veggie burger was so big that I gave some to Andy T. Our Reias were very well spent there, we left happy.
Once we arrived at Ipanema beach we noticed how over crowed the beach was. We decided to climb up the rocks that led towards the much deeper side of the ocean. Tyler, Kim and Heather decided to jump in and enjoy the water. As for the rest of us we enjoyed the view that was before us. Across the distance I see Kim and Heather waving us over, Heather had cut herself on a barnacle. With Heathers leg all covered in gauze we started to walk back to our hotel.
Our day concluded with presentations at night. This time Tait treated us to pizza since it was out last night in Rio.
Once we returned Tait gave us the option of having dinner with him at Ipanema beach or going to Copacabana on our own. The group parted ways and I decided to have lunch with Tait. We found an awesome restaurant that was air conditioned with TVs inside. Tait, Tyler, Kim, Jackyln, Heather, Christian, Andy T., Lester and I ordered our foods. The food at that restaurant was so delicious, my veggie burger was so big that I gave some to Andy T. Our Reias were very well spent there, we left happy.
Once we arrived at Ipanema beach we noticed how over crowed the beach was. We decided to climb up the rocks that led towards the much deeper side of the ocean. Tyler, Kim and Heather decided to jump in and enjoy the water. As for the rest of us we enjoyed the view that was before us. Across the distance I see Kim and Heather waving us over, Heather had cut herself on a barnacle. With Heathers leg all covered in gauze we started to walk back to our hotel.
Our day concluded with presentations at night. This time Tait treated us to pizza since it was out last night in Rio.