Nearly 11pm and just got back from the Sambadrome seeing 2 samba schools practice their routines in front of about 30,000 people. More about that later.
The day begun with a huge buffet breakfast in the hotel.
Our full day tour started just after 9am and first stop was Corcovado Mountain and "Christ The Redeemer" statue with arms outstretched looking over the city of Rio, the magnificent harbour and of course looking over the people.
A cog railway climbs steeply and after a midway stop you are almost at the top. Two flights of escalators take you the final few meters to the top at 704 meters above the city. It was another one of those moments for me to step out onto the top and see this magnificent statue, an icon of Rio. The views in all directions must surely be the best in the world: the natural harbor, the city stretches out for miles, the lovely beaches and the mountains in the distance. People jostle for positions to have their photos taken with similar outstretched arms to Christ. Another most memorable sight and experience.
A general tour followed before lunch with a stop at the Maracana Stadium, once seating 200,000 but now almost being competed rebuilt for the 2014 Soccer World Cup and the 2016 Olympics to seat 70,000.
We then visited the Catholic Cathedral which is almost futuristic design (I liken it to a Dalek from Dr Who!). Beautiful stained glass windows and an almost complete circular seating arrangement.
Lunch was included in the tour and we had that at Copacabana at a steak house. All very nice with the waiters carving the meat for you off long skewers. Their skill at stacking the plates was also worth seeing.
The afternoon highlight was a ride on the cable cars to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain at 394 metres. A bit hair raising crossing over the valley and up the side of the mountain. Rio certainly has a very pretty harbour and this is further highlighted from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. Another of those "moments" for me the look down on such a beautiful area - and there in the distance is Jesus with his hands stretched out.
A "Nanny Nap" before being picked up for our visit to see the Samba Schools practice their routines. Carnival starts in 2 weeks and part of the parade features the best of the Samba Schools performing in the Samba Drome. So this is where we found ourselves watching a heaving mass of performers and spectators do heir routine. It was like a football crowd and much of the spectators were there to see "their samba school" parade. The noise was constant, the colours vibrant and the electic mix of performers, spectators and general carnival atmosphere made such a great evening.
Once again it was evident the Rio has a very sad history, with the African slave trade in the 17 th century contributing to its mix of people's. Despite the crowd, the beer and the noise the crowd was well behaved. We felt very much the odd couple amongst the black majority of the crowd. We were I believe made to feel welcome in their little part of the city and were wiling to share the event with us.
During Carnival it costs R2000 for a seat in the SambaDrome so these practice sessions are opportunities for the poor people to see their "schools" perform for free. It was a great thrill to be part of this unique event.
Now back at he hotel it's time to get some sleep. I doubt Rio sleeps, but this traveller needs some snooze time.