Day 3, Part 1/3: Holy the Redeemer

This morning we were on our way at 7am, to get up to "Holy the Redeemer" before it opened to the public. A bit of a cloudy day, but it was still 27 and barely enough drops to call rain.



The train station to Corcovado ("hunchback") mountain; you can see the little red train in the back middle.

Corcovado is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, as it is 780m of solid granite. Also, the
rail line was the first electric rail line in Brazil.


Christ the Redeemer is made of soap stone and took five years to build; the base is made of black granite. His arms are open, welcoming everyone to Rio who enters Guanbara Bay. It is one of the only articles where Jesus is not weeping or sad.


View from above, looking towards Flamengo area (our hotel).


View from above. (The large ring is a horse racing track)


View from above, towards Copacabana beach.

After "Holy the Redeemer!" it was back to bed (at 10:30am!) to prepare for tonight's festivities, the first portion of the parade, starting at 9pm and lasting until 3:30am!


<3 Krystle

Day 2: Fun In The Sun

Up at 7:45am, breakfast, and then off to discover Rio de Janeiro.



Ipanema Beach, and the infamous portrait mountain.


Ipanema Beach





Looking towards Copacabana area.


View of Ipanema beach from "the Rock."


Cacti flowers






Marco, the Carnaval dog!


Copacabana beach & street party (or the early beginnings of). Costumes are just starting to roll in.


Amazing sand castles on Copacabana beach.


+30 degrees.



We took the Metro to Maracana stadium, where the FIFA World Cup final game will be held! Gorgeous stadium, originally built in 1950 to hold 20,000 people, now holds 80,000 people.


All jersey-ed up! Go Flamengo Go!


Notice the chairs in the stadium are painted yellow and blue. This is because, when Brazil lost to Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro painted all the seats Uruguays color so the people of Brazil "would never forget their loss." He has vowed not to change them until Brazil wins the World Cup. (This year it is expected that Uruguay and Brazil may be in the final together again)

Day 1: "Oh-my-god-o!"

Met up with Joanne in Chicago.


One movie in... And still a long way to go!


Flying over São Paulo.


Flying over São Paulo.


Flying over Rio de Janeiro.



Flying over Rio.


Arrival in Rio! Hello +35 degrees!


Our first drink... "Momma Sue" and Mumooshka.


We discovered Caipirinhas (similar to a margarita, and just as dangerous); chicken empana and crab empana.

Teaching Joanne some Portugese became quite the funny lesson, as "obrigado" (thank you) became Oh-my-god-o!


Holy shiza!! For a minute I thought Kenny Schmidt (#16) was here... That would be trouble! :)

We had a pre-trip meeting, was able to get tickets to the Gay Ball Scala after all, and mingled with the group.

(Reiterate Caipirinhas=dangerous, aka sneak-up-and-get-ya-right-drunk dangerous!)