Sights ´n´ sounds ´n´ smells of Rio (From Bournemouth Echo)

Sights ´n´ sounds ´n´ smells of Rio

11:30am Saturday 20th February 2010 in

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I never would have thought I would find Jesus on my travels. But I have. He is on top of a really high hill in the middle of Rio.

Whoever came up with the idea of building a 30 meter high statue of Jesus on top of a 710 meter peek is a tourist attraction genius.

With panoramic views of the entire city, Cristo Redentor (Christ The Redeemer) becomes a must see. Everybody does. A click scroll through wikipedia tells me that 300,000 people visit each year.

After the metro, bus, collectivo and mini bus ride we find ourselves at the feet of the statue. The attraction has certainly pulled in the punters the day we visit.

Hundreds of eager gringos (me included) are jostling for the best position to replicate Jesus´ outstretched arms for our cameras.

The views are breath taking and the statue is impressive, though the volume of people slightly dampens our enthusiasm.

We visit a region called Santa Terresa. It looks close to the metro station on the map, though I didn´t take into account the hills.

After a while of strolling in the midday sun, we beginning to wonder if we had taken a wrong turn as we passed above a favela.

We persevered and soon we were rewarded with the decadence of a bohemian, arty, cobbled street area. It was worth the hike as Tori purchased a few little pieces for us to take home.

After a couple of hours we took the bondinho that had been trundling around the neighbourhood. We took this tram out of curiosity rather than necessity. The antiquated mode of transport cost 60 cents (about 17p) and at times was as hair raising at Blackpool´s Big Dipper.

I particularly felt for the people hanging to the sides as we passed over the high arches of Lapa with little in the way of protection.

The city can become quite intense, so a visit to the Botanical Gardens provides an aura of escapism. We visit on a weekday and it is serenely quiet. By all accounts, the area is rammed at the weekend. We spot humming birds and lizards. We feel completely relaxed as are promptly reminded that we are in the middle of a frantic city as we step out of the garden walls.

I learn that there is a Rio derby at the Maracana between Vasco and Fluminese. I become over excited and drag Tori to the stadium with me so that I can buy tickets. Our international student cards come in handy as we get our tickets for half price - 25 reais (9 pounds).

The match is a big event as it is the semi finals of the Carioca cup . We cram into a metro and arrive just as the match kicks off. There are plenty of chances for both teams but the match finishes 0-0. Vasco win on pens.

Que the celebrations. The fans go completely potty, light flares, dance and wave huge flags. It is an incredible sight and very different to the atmosphere I am used to at Dean Court.

The staff and guests of our entire hostel go to a street party together on Friday night in Ipanema. They have made it fun for us by providing party packs that consist of a whole host of comedy-novelty fancy-dress.

The beer is free flowing, we pile on a bus together and loosely stick together for the whole night. We have to watch our pockets as we follow a parade through the streets.

It seems good natured though as much to Tori´s amusement a bunch of girls want to kiss me as I look like Bon Jovi. Still got it!

This all part of the carnival warm up, the city is turning into one big party and getting very excited!