“We’ll go to Rio and then we’ll do it again!”*

JTP's parents and the kids in front of a waterfall at the Botanical Gardens.

We spent a few days in Rio with JTP’s parents between Christmas and New Years.   It was so beautiful.  I can’t get over how absolutely gorgeous this city is.  Of course, it has slums, quite a few in fact, but topographically it won the lottery.  It has beautiful beaches surrounded by sheer granite mountains covered by verdant foliage.   We were lucky to have a friend let us stay in her apartment.  She lived a half a block from Impanema beach.  At night, with the windows open, the sound of the waves sent us off to sleep.  It was beautiful.  

We visited Petropolis, a summer getaway for Dom Pedro II, with its Royal museum, Cathedral and carriage rides.  Petropolis is located in the mountains about an hour outside of Rio.  It was a very pretty little town.  However, it was rainy and foggy the whole time we were there so we did not get to see its full beauty.

After the carriage ride, drenched AJP and BLP standing by the horses.

In addition to our visit to Petropolis, we went to the Botanical Garden.  There we saw a number of wonderful trees, flowers and fruits.  The highlight for JTP and the kids was the monkeys that were jumping from tree to tree.  TSP liked the waterfalls and flowers.  We went to the Botanical Gardens on Sunday afternoon.  It was a nice and relaxing way to spend the afternoon after the morning at church.  It was great to go to find a congregation in Rio and realize that almost anywhere we go we will have a community. 

AJP and BLP at the Botanical Gardens looking at the turtles in the pond.

Our final full day in Rio was indeed full.  We went to the beach in the morning and to Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) in the afternoon.   The beach was spectacular.  Unfortunately, we were at a surfer beach and we were not supposed to swim.  Lucky for us we arrived before the lifeguard and were able to get in an hour or so of swimming before we were advised not to swim!  We went to a beach based on a recommendation from a friend that told us it was a great place to swim.  Apparently, there are two beaches in this particular town and our first mistake was following the car with the surf board on top.  Not a wise when you are looking for the swimming beach.  All turned out well and we had a great time!  

AJP and BLP as we were getting ready to leave the GREAT beach!

Going to the Christ statue was wonderful but hot and crowded.  It was the first truly clear day since Christmas and all the other tourists had the same idea we did.  We waited over five – yes, FIVE hours to get to the top.  There were many people and it did not have the spiritual significance it had the first time for me but it was nice.  On the way down we were able to see the clouds drift over Rio and walk through their mist.  AJP loved that! 

The mist over Rio.

It was a great trip.  Thanks to RHP and FMP for coming to visit.  We will give more updates later since they leave tomorrow.

 

*This is from our Rio anthem:  “You Wear Flowers” by Peter Breinholt.  Here is a YouTube video – terrible quality by you can hear our line right at the end!