Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – December 19

waterfall

rustic beauty

Weather…woke up to cloudy skys, prayed for it to stay that way…nope…rain, not actually that much really, but heavy in tiny bits, 24 degrees, still humid…may hair is ‘responding’

more Chris and Wilson

Chris and our guide Wilson

“Jungle Jeep Tour” is the title of today’s tour. I wasn’t sure if that meant riding a jeep through the jungle, to the jungle or what exactly. We were picked up in a jeep with a driver, a guide, 2 other
people and us…a perfect number. The open-top jeep was exactly that…a driver in front and the rest of us in 2 bench type seats in the back, we had lap seat belts, but I wasn’t so sure how we would have faired in a roll-over…thankfully, that wasn’t a concern today!

monument to the 6 who reforested

The Tijuca Rainforest (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is situated right in the heart of Rio and is the world’s largest urban forest – 40 square km. We passed a beautiful house that our guide told us Pelé lives. As soon as we started our ascent to the park we could feel the drop in temperature, a few days ago this would have been welcome, but today it is bit cool. The wind in the back of the open jeep is causing me a significant hair situation.

Lisa take the wheel

This park is apparently where in the 1700s the forest was clearcut to make space for coffee plantations and livestock. In 1861, reforestation of the area started. The replanting of the area was undertaken by 6 slaves over 26 years – this fact was repeatedly mentioned throughout today’s tour. It is pretty incredible…6 people, 26 years 40 square km!

Main attractions of the park are the Taunay Waterfalls. These falls are gorgeous, I could stand all day in the misty thunder of the crashing water. After the falls. we followed our guide through the thick, lush, never-ending green canopy of forest stopping every so often for an explanation then meeting the jeep again for a ride further along into the forest.

more beauty

Throughout the morning, we were sprinkled now and again with rain, but never enough to be wet…that is until we got in the jeep for our last stop. It was torrential! Still not cold, but wet. I was wearing a tank top on and the guide took pity on me and gave me a rain coat…I was thankful! We eventually pulled the top onto the jeep so that we were out of the direct pelting rain.

This visit to the forest was breath-taking. The only disappointment was seeing no animals…we were told to be on the look-out for monkeys, turtles, and birds, but they must have been taking shelter which I suppose is what we should have been doing.

one final lookout

One favela exists within this park with apparently 200 000 people living there.

Once back at the hotel, we decided a walk down the ocean followed by a beer or 2 at an ocean bar was in order. Today the waves were bigger than other days and a few people were trying to surf.

Ocean beers were followed by a bit of soccer gear shopping where Chris bought a shirt and a flask and then I visited nap town.

Copacabana beer

In the evening we found an Italian spot for dinner. We wanted a bottle of wine but have discovered that wine drinking isn’t at all the culture here. We saw

Copacabana beach

bottles on a shelf but had to ask for a list…the drink list never includes wine here…by the glass or bottle…basically by the bottle is the only way wine exists. Drinking involves cocktails or beer. After dinner we found our local for a couple of beers before calling it a night.

Globo!!

2 nights ago, we had late night beers at our local as we did tonight…that night the clientele was older, single people…tonight was families...odd difference. The thing that was the same was the DJ. Definitely a fun spot I’m glad we found early enough in our stay in Rio.

last beach moment

Tomorrow, we board the boat for the next 18 days! 

End note…we finally tried the ubiquitous Rio snack…Globo. These are a very light, airy crunchy snack that come in a savoury and sweet version – kinda like a cheezie minus the cheese.