SCENES FROM AROUND SOUTH AMERICA IN 49 DAYS - SERIES #2

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

 

Hola Amigas! I am back! "Bom dia!" (Good morning in Portuguese).More chit-chatting about South America. This will be a long series of highlights. So relax! Let's have some imaginary caipirinha, a popular Brazilian cocktail. But let's drink w/ caution. .

 

Feb. 11,2013- Tour of Christ the Redeemer Statue-Rio De Janiero,Brazil. Who isn't eager to see a wonderr of the world? My last sight of a Wonder of the World was March, 2011. Saw the Great Walls of China! A real wowie! But seeing Christ the Redeemer,one of the new 7 Wonders of the World was also worth waiting for. Sleep the night before was light. So waking up at dawn was like a walk in the park. We were scared to over -sleep and miss our tours. No refunds! Very expensive tours. No way! Let's go!

 

To get to Christ the Redeemer, we rode a very steep railway. About 2.4 meter from the base of Corcovado Mt. The train could hold 360 passengers every hour. The trip by rail took about 20 minutes. Of what fun ......it was to ride the train as we climbed through a thick forest to the top of Corcavado Mt. Chug......! Chug.....! Choo....! Choo!!  The monument, as well accesses to it, underwent a revitalization process. In 2002, it was mechanized and has wonderful panoramic elevators and escalators. Before that, a person had to walk up 220 steps from the base to reach Christ Redeemer. Taking the train was more enjoyable of course. More pricey but worth splurging.

 

VIEW OF RIO W/ CORCOVADO MT. ON THE BACKGROUND

 

When we reached the first base we took an elevator. Then an escalator. Next, more stairs to the very top. It was worth the effort. The statue was seven stories high and as if it loomed over us. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of the most recognized images of Brazil . It is located on the top of the Corcovado Mountain.The statue is currently 72 years old. Building the statue began in 1926 and was completed in 1931, five years later. The statue was not sculpted in Brazil. It was sculpted in France by a sculptor whose name was Paul Landowski. The pieces of the statue were then shipped over to Brazil where they were taken up to the top of the Corcovado Mountain by train and assembled. The pieces were made out of soapstone. This material was chosen because of its resistance to weather and cracking. The statue, when completed, became the largest art deco monument in the world.

BACK VIEW OF THE CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE

CLOSE UP VIEW

ANOTHER CLOSE UP VIEW

 

FRONT VIEW OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER
 

This symbol of Christianity was as close as one could get to heaven. A mother about my age, who had been here before me said....she cried when she saw this awesome place. She never expected she would have the chance to see this great wonder. For me this place has spiritual vibe. I didn't cry though it was an emotional experience & momentuous for me. To see the gigantic sculpture of Christ reinforced my Christian faith. That He reigns. Every knee should bow. Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. It could also be a spiritual experience for most regardless of their religious affiliation.

RHOD & EBB W/ CHRIST THE REDEEMER

There the view from the top of the statue was the best view of Rio de Janeiro. There's a 360 degree view of the entire city. Saw the three famous beaches, Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon.  The panoramic view overlooking the city was breathtaking & majestic. Also, "Rio, Brazil e lindo maravihoso" (Rio, Brazil is magnificent!).We stopped and lingered a while, enough to take in the views from a different part of the mountain other than the top.

 

VIEW OF RIO FROM CORCOVADO MT.

 

RHOD W/ CHRIST THE REDEEMER
 

If you don't have much time, the one thing that you should see is the statue of Christ the Redeemer on top of the Corcovado Mountain . This is definitely one sight in Rio that should not be missed. Missing this would be missing one of the things that makes Rio, Rio. There is also so much history behind the statue that it would be a shame for anyone to miss.

VIEW OF RIO AND CORCOVADO MT.

VIEW OF CHRIST THE REDEEEMER LATE IN THE AFTERNOON
 

Our only regrets was not being able to experience this spectacular sights at night time. Our ship left at 6:00 p.m. that day. This sight was an hour drive from the port.I heard that when President Obama and family (first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia) visited Brazil, they went up in the Christ Redeemer Statue after dark. The view of the city lights and a close up view of Cristo Redentor lit up against the dark sky must have been very spectacular.

 

HOLDING HANDS W/ CHRIST THE REDEEMER

 

We looked at our watch and it was time to meet our tour group at the base of Corcovado Mt. We have another tour of a spectacular sight -Sugar Loaf. Boa Tarde! (Good afternoon!) To be continued.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust."