Rio de Janeiro - more traveling and more São Paulo!

After Craig and Kirk returned to São Paulo, late one night-
the next day we got up early to fly to Rio de Janeiro.

We checked into our fabulous hotel, Caesar Park, on Ipanema Beach.

Craig was especially excited  because he served part of his mission here.

After he returned home I remember him singing/humming this tune often.

This video brought back sweet memories of how my mom and all her friends
were in LOVE with Andy Williams~

The famous song was the 2nd most recorded in history (after "Yesterday")

I was frankly disappointed not to hear it in our elevator music. :)

 

Kirk and Ann in the lobby of the hotel in front of the picture window

where they could "enjoy" the beach with air conditioning  8)

 

These are views from our hotel room.

 

This is the sidewalk along both sides of the  l  o  n  g   street along 

the Ipanema and the further down Copacabana beach and the hotels.

It is known as Portuguese Pavement and can be found throughout

Portugal and Brazil.  It is an attractive mosaic style 

that is hand crafted by underpaid workers.

Recently in preparation for the Olympics in Rio, they have built into the 

sidewalks, square type "barcodes" or QR codes for visitors to scan.

This lets you know where you are and about various surrounding points of interest.   

 

strolling while we waited for our check-in time

lots of vendors wanting your cash!

cute little bags with famous Rio designs

Christ the Redeemer statue and

the cable cars to Sugarloaf Mountain

CRISTO REDENTOR

Keeping a watchful eye over the people of Rio de Janeiro,

the Statue of Christ the Redeemer was unveiled in 1931

and sits atop Corcovado 2,300 feet above the city.

The statue was unveiled in 1931.

 We understand that on a clear day the views from the base of the statue are fantastic.

At night the statue is lit up and seemingly

 hovers over the city as the mountain it stands on is dark.

The day that we tried to take the bus up to see the statue

was extremely hazy.  The previous picture is that of a postcard we bought.

They discouraged more ticket sales because of low visibility.

 So we drove around town to take pictures from afar.

 

 

This is what you are supposed to do 

for  photos  8)

perfect!

 

Sugarloaf Mountain (or Pão de Açúcar) is a peak situated in Rio on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean.  Rising 1,299 ft. above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. It is known worldwide for its cableway and panoramic views of the city

 

if you can't tell,

this is one of those "put your face in the hole" props

from left, Robyn-Randy-Ann-Craig

replica of the old-time cable cars

 

more scenic photos from around the city
such a beautiful place, even in the haze~

We shall return to see the statue~  Hopefully on a better day!




One night we went to the Ginga Tropical dance show.
All kinds of traditional Brazilian dancing.
We booked through our hotel and a van picked us up.
A little expensive but AMAZING...

More Rio sightseeing

Municipal Theater

 This is a famous futebol stadium-
largest in Brazil.
Part of the World Cup was played here last June
before we came to São Paulo.



This will also be the location for the Opening and Closing
Ceremonies for 2016 Olympics

tours are available but we did not do that

  

Mr & Mrs Coconut Head  :)

 

In April General Conference 2013 - this announcement was made~

 This is the "site"

It is still in the  complicated "planning and approval" phase

one thing we know for sure - this piece of real estate -
cost "muito dinheiro"!!

 There was a security guard on site and he went into this little
"visitors center" and came out with a guest book for us to sign ~

our names at the bottom here

We hope to see the finished product someday!

After returning from Rio

McDougals and Robyn took a city tour of Sao Paulo.

One of our English students is a tour guide and she drove us

around town  for about 4 hours~

 This is Albert Einstein hospital, not far from our apartment.

 This is the outside and inside of an auditorium in Ibirapuera Park

Wonderful wall art depicting old-town Sao Paulo

 This is the Sé Catholic Cathedral - downtown

these 2 photos were taken in Sept but this is what
we saw the day of our tour~
the outside and inside this majestic building

this is a Japanese neighborhood

called "Liberdade"
on Saturdays the street is filled with vendors



 São Paulo Municipal Theater

a

 another church
São Bento

interesting and varied architecture throughout the city
 

Huge apartment complex being renovated.  The lower floors are
all shops making it a little "city"with it's own zipcode.

City Hall with a private "garden" on top.  





This is a beautiful, cable-stayed bridge called
Oliveira Bridge

This is what it looks like at Christmas time

These are photos of the Unique Hotel in São Paulo

The name is a great description!

Inside the lobby

 

and the red-tiled pool on the roof~

preparing to return to SLC

thanks for making the effort, McDougals

good times:)