The sights of Rio

Since my camera was stolen a few days ago picture taking has slowed down a little. I am extremely lucky that Rebecca is carrying two digital caeras with her and that she is nice enough to let me use one of them. This is especially great since a new digital camera is about four times as expensive here as it is in the US.

Rio is an amazing city of giant green tropical forest topped basalt spires rising out of the blue Atlantic Ocean. The people are colorful, friendly, and exceedingly passionate about everything that they do, from family to work to play.

Our time in Rio was spent principally seeing the major sights (Corcovado and Sugar Loaf), photos of which can be seen below. A friend of Rebecca´s was also generous enough to take a day off work and drive out to one of the locals beaches to the south of town called Prainha.

To get to Corcovado you travel on a small train from the neighborhood of Cosme Velho. The train winds its way through grren forest where you can spot small monkeys. Don´t believe the guidebooks about the price! It is 35 reis ($17) for a return ticket.

Corcovado and views therefrom...

Sugar Loaf guards the southern entrance to Rio harbor and offers even more amazing views of the city than Corcovado in my opinion. As with the Corcovado it is 35 reis to get to the the top and back.

Views of Sugar Loaf and Rio as the lights come on...

Prianha and Rebecca´s friend Anibal...

For safety in Rio... can you figure out what is strange in this photo?

Besides being very beautiful, Rio is VERY expensive. Money just seems to vanish from your wallet and you have no idea where it went. Because of this Rebecca and I have moved on from Rio to a town called Itaparica, which is located on an island across from Salvador. We are currently staying with Mitch and Taylor, two friends of my father, who run an artist residency called Sacatar.

The place is BEAUTIFUL to say the least. we have our own house, cook, and private beach. I promise to taek some photos in the nice afternoon light today and post them soon.

Be sure to also check out Rebecca´s blog (link is to the right ------->) to see more pictures and get a different perspective on our trip.