Rio de Janeiro

Bon Dia,

I had the opportunity to travel to Rio de Janeiro this month on a business trip with a little time to explore the area. Sunday, I rented a "beach bike" all day. Starting from Ipanema beach, my steed brought me to the Vista Chinesa and into the Floresta Tijuca.

From the Tijuca Forest, I could see the Pedra da Gavea.

Monday night, I got a ride to the Corcovado hill and took some pictures of the Christ statue and of Rio.

Thursday, I arranged a hike through www.riohiking.com.br to the Pedra da Gavea south of Rio. They got me in contact with Leo, a local biology student, who proved to be an excellent guide. Without this guide service, I would never have found my way up this mountain.
From this high point I could look back towards Rio. You could see Dois Irmaos and clouds below us.
Here is a photo of me on the top of Pedra da Gavea with the Atlantic Ocean behind me (and clouds below me).
South of Rio and of Pedra da Gavea lies Barra Tijuca.
I was surprised that the top of Pedra da Gavea had so much soil and vegetation. I had expected barren rock.
The forest trail was thick, though the Floresta Tijuca was even more lush.
The Gavea hike was the highlight of my trip. I highly recommend the arrangements made through the RioHiking group. If you are interested in viewing more photographs of this trip and viewing them in larger formats, then visit www.imagestation.com.

Here's a very detailed road map in pdf format.

If you want just a quick idea of the physiography of Rio, click here.

The DestinationRio website is one of the better ones.

Adios,
Brady

Thursday, I arranged a hike through www.riohiking.com.br to the Pedra da Gavea south of Rio. They got me in contact with Leo, a local biology student, who proved to be an excellent guide. Without this guide service, I would never have found my way up this mountain.
From this high point I could look back towards Rio. You could see Dois Irmaos and clouds below us.
	Here is a photo of me on the top of Pedra da Gavea with the Atlantic Ocean behind me (and clouds below me).
	South of Rio and of Pedra da Gavea lies Barra Tijuca.
I was surprised that the top of Pedra da Gavea had so much soil and vegetation. I had expected barren rock.
	The forest trail was thick, though the Floresta Tijuca was even more lush.