BRAZIL
We visited the gCidade Maravilhosah (gMarvellous Cityh) in January/1999. It was summer so, that time, we found Rio de Janeiro a mixture of blue ocean, clear sky and sparkling sunny days.
Gaspar de Lemos set sail from Portugal for Brazil in May 1501 and entered a huge bay in January 1502. Mistaking the bay for a river, he named gRio de Janeiroh (Januaryfs River). Nowadays, people refer to this gorgeous city by simply saying gRioh.
Rio is considered the tourist capital of Brazil. Maybe the reason for that is because Rio reflects the way most Brazilians pursue pleasure in life: beaches, samba, football, gcervejah (beer) and gcachacah (sugar-cane rum). Moreover, fortunately, Rio is also blessed with natural beauty and perhaps that explains why it's Brazilfs most visited town.
"Sugar Loaf", Rio de Janeiro
gPao de Acucarh (gSugar Loafh) is one of the cityfs most famous postcards. Two cable cars lift you 396m above Rio and the Guanabara Bay. From there, Rio is undoubtedly gthe most beautiful city in the worldh (not only Brazilians but also most of the tourists say that). In a clear day, from up there, you can see Riofs natural beautiful spots, like the Guanabara Bay, the gCorcovadoh and so on. It is definitely dazzling!
"Sugar Loaf", Rio de Janeiro
gCorcovadoh (gHunchbackh) is the mountain and gCristo Redentorh (gChrist the Redeemerh) is the statue. The mountain rises straight up from the city to 710m. The statue, which its welcoming outstretched arms, stands another 30m high. The statue was originally conceived as a national monument to celebrate Brazilfs 100 years of independence from Portugal. The centenary came and went in 1922 without the money to start construction, but in 1931 the statue was completed thanks to some financial assistance from the Vatican. Itfs nowadays Rio de Janeirofs symbol.
"Corcovado", Rio de Janeiro
The tropical forest of gTijuca National Parkh is also one of Riofs tourist attractions. The forest is exuberant green, with beautiful trees, creeks and waterfalls, mountainous terrain and high peaks. The heart of the forest is the beautiful gAlto da Boa Vistah with several waterfalls, including the 35m gCascatinha Taunayh("Taunay little waterfall").
"Tijuca Forest", Rio de Janeiro