The Ibis Hotel in Copacabana – what a
lovely place to stay, so central to the beach, shops and restaurants! After brekky, we checked out, left baggage
and waited for pickup for ‘Christ the Redeemer’ tour. We were disappointed to arrive at the last
check point and be dissolved in a sea of people! There was a 30 minute wait whilst out guide
lined up for tickets and then told another 1.5-2 hr wait to go up to the statue
itself! We had limited time – had to be
back at the hotel for a 3pm transfer to the ship. So unfortunately, we had to pay another guide
to take us back down and then take a taxi back to Copacabana. It was one of the pitfalls of travelling and
so we leave Christ the Redeemer for another trip.
The taxi driver spoke no English and I
managed with a mixture of Spanish and Portuguese!
He dropped us at Rio Sul shopping complex –
Scarlet had to buy a pair of Brazilian sandals and David had to try a
coffee! Then we walked down to the beach
front to find a bar and have a ‘Caiparinha’ – as Stella had recommended… we
were welcomed by a waiter named Carlos who spoke English and was quite
entertaining! Then the four piece Latin
band began playing and we could have settled in for the afternoon, right there
on Copacabana beach!
Our transfer to the ship was seamless,
embarked in the Platinum express line courtesy of Kerren and David. Not many Australians on board, but lots of
South Americans, Americans and Europeans (Spaniards) – even some people from
Russia! The sailaway party was fun – Rio
is a huge port and lots to look at as we exited through the heads, which were
complete with concrete forts on either side, cannon ports from a by-gone era. Lots of activities in store for tomorrow – two
sea days ahead before we arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina!
Concrete fort at the heads
Copacabana beach, relaxing!
Party time - sail away!
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