FLYING DOWN TO RIO!

If you start early in the morning, you can visit the highlights of Rio de Janeiro in one day. It is good to start with the statue of Christ the Redeemer which looms over the city, because the train that takes you up the mountain is not very large and tickets are purchased for a particular time. The lines can become very long to buy tickets and board.

After a ride of approximately 15 minutes, you exit the train and then take an escalator up to the base of the statue for a fantastic panoramic view. It is already crowded early in the day as tourists and Brazilians alike jostle each other, while trying to take a picture with the best view.

A ride along the beautiful sandy beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana  helps you understand what an important part of daily life they represent for the Cariocas. Daylight savings time seems to exist, so that office workers have extra time to go to the beach after work during the summer months.

With a buffet lunch of Brazilian specialties, such as fried plantains and feijoada, you can sample new foods and build energy for your afternoon sightseeing.

The other high vantage point that must be scaled is Sugarloaf Mountain, an unmistakable landmark on Rio’s horizon. To “climb” the mountain you board a cable car and cross high over the trees and ground below. At the top on a clear day the vistas in all directions are spectacular.

Although the natural wonders of Rio are impressive, to understand the culture you need to see the people building their floats for Carnival and dancing the samba.

The floats take a year to build and are top secret, as the winning one must be the most creative and best executed presentation with literally a cast of thousands. They are built in locked, carefully guarded warehouses, often not too far apart. You can visit a warehouse and see a float under construction, but photos are limited to protect the group’s original ideas. The costumes worn by the participants are also a major part of the competition.

You can see some of the costumes when dancers demonstrate the rhythm of the samba and encourage you to join in. Fortunately, you do not have to dress like the dancers to participate.

After a lively samba session, there is time for a short break before going out to a Brazilian barbecue. You might already be familiar with this dining concept, which made its way to the States several years ago. After choosing from an enormous appetizer and salad buffet, you are offered different kinds of meat from waiters who come around to the tables and slice off the quantity you desire. When you have had enough, you put a red card on the table to indicate that you are finished.

A selection of desserts rounds out the meal, and you are almost inevitably too full of good food.

Although it is a very busy day, you can see the best of Rio in less than 24 hours. However, if you want to have time to shop, especially for jewelry unique to the country, be sure to plan at least one more day to do more relaxing things. It is also nice to experience the famous beaches for yourself. The people watching is amazing!