I am staying at the very good Soffitel Hotel on Copacabana Beach.It's an amazing city of 8 million people spread out between high tropical forest landscaped mountains.The majority of buildings are high rise.
The beaches are excellent,so I swim then take a walk around a small section of the city.For dinner I am recommended a typical Brazilian steak restraunt 'Porcao'.I am impressed,slow cooked rotisory steak from all parts of the bull.Waiters slice off small amounts of each cut as you request.I will try this at home.
Next day I have a 4hour tour visiting the famous Christ statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.The statue is an amazing tourist attraction,there are hundreds of people every hour all week.It's a spectacular monument,31metres high,made of soapstone so high up you get great views of Rio.
Sugarloaf mountain is reached by two cable cars.The base of the mountain is where Rio began.
Brazil is the same size as Australia,it has a population of some 260 million,it is progressive wealthy and exciting.
Mick.