After the super fast ferry catamaran we try using google maps to find our way around the city. It is hot and the backpack weighs like lead but we walk the 2 km, against the direction of traffic, to our hotel. After much whining and complaining about poor signage of the bus stops and our lack of preparation we are exhausted when we reach the hotel. The room, which we booked online, is very basic. The low price gave some indication already but still we are surprised by the poor accomodation. There are 2 beds, three closets, a waste bin and a fan. Toilets and showers are in the corridor. The fan can not be used because of the noise and keeping the windows open is the only alternative (the room is facing the street and a traffic light). A short nap to recuperate after our hike is not possible because of the noise and so we go for a walk. The hotel is located in “downtown”, the old town of Rio.
There is a bad sell and although the streets are well maintained, the sidewalks are not. There are holes and obstructions everywhere. The first square we cross is full of homeless people and the smell of urine is very penetrating. Our first impressions are disappointing. Luckily we found a nice bar / restaurant in Lapa, Rio’s nightlife heart, and we can quench our thirst and hunger with beer, caipirinha and delicious typical snacks. Sleeping at night is not possible because of the infernal noise in the street. The next day we pay a supplement for a quieter room with air conditioning and private bathroom. The Brazilian couple we met at the campsite gave us a code to use bicycles everywhere in Rio (rio bike). We install the app, and after some searching, we find two good bikes at the beach of Leblon. We drive along the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana to Leme. It is 34°C, gorgeous weather and we enjoy the ride. A snack on the famous Copacabana beach tastes better than anywhere else.
A visit to the Pao de Azucar with the cable car is a must-see tourist attraction. The view over Rio at 396 meters is foggy because of the air polution. In the park at the top of the hill there are marmosets monkeys making acrobatic jumps in the trees with the sea in depth. Sunset at 5am on Praia da Urca is beautiful. Darkness falls half an hour later and the bus ride back to the hotel lasts endlessly. There are loads of buses in Rio and cars try to slalom in between with lots of hooting and huge traffic jams as a result. How people can live in this noisy chaos, we wonder. Black riding with the bus is impossible in Rio, you have to pay or validate your card before you can go through the narrow metal revolving door. Backpacks and bags must be lifted high otherwise you get stuck, we learn that after a few spasmodic attempts to wriggle through with our bags.
The Cristo Rendentor Corcovado is another must, at an altitude of 900 m the gigantic statue of Christ, spreads his arms over the city. The place is crowded with tourists trying to take selfies with Cristo in the background. The views over Rio are spectacular from all angles. Michel has many problems with his foot and knee. Rose goes alone to the top, he stays halfway behind. Rose visits the Jardim Botanique with immense imperial palm trees dating from 1808. The third day we have to check out at 12h. Roos walks to the modern Nova Catedral Metropolitana and the Arcos da Lapa and then it is time to make the long bus ride to the camp where our Tsjolbak waits. Rio certainly has its charm, but we are happy to be back in a quiet place. Poor Michel has inflamed sinuses due to the air conditioning, in addition to a sore knee and foot!
After much hesitating and thinking we decide to skip the Pantanal and attend some sport events at the olympics.
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