Rio- Christ 'the Redeemer' and 'Sugar Loaf'

Today was an ultimate tourist day in Rio.  We woke up this morning- in fact my mother woke up early to check the view, but I stayed in bed.  Again we had breakfast on the terrace, this time quite early at around 7:40.  It was my mother's birthday (a big one) today so she opened presents, cards and the hotel brought a cake.

At 8:20 we got a taxi to the train station Corcavado destination the Christ 'the Redeemer' statue.  I had prebooked our tickets on Dad's card- so we picked them up and got our 9:20 train.  The train winds through the trees.

As you can probably imagine the views are pretty amazing- with different aspects across the city.

After the statue there was a museum of Brazilian Art (Neif) almost next door.  It was very quiet and we pretty much had it to ourselves.  The art was mainly Rio and Brazil- kind of the below style. It was my kind of museum because it finished quickly. We had beers, juices and lunch at the museum bar- healthy salads.  They even brought my mother a birthday mango with candle- nice touch. 

The big debate post lunch was whether to do the sugar loaf cable car in the searing heat.  We opted for it and taxied across there.  In fact there was little queue for the first cable car and a bit for the second (there are 2 cars to get to Sugar Loaf).  We enjoyed more views- again.  The great thing about Rio is the many perspectives of the city.  There is a great view of Copacabana and the bay from this iconic hill.

We also saw some wildlife on the trail- lizards and these tame racoon type creatures (below).

Grabbed some more fruit juice and ice cream in searing heat.  Taxied back to the hotel for a swim.  I have booked a taxi to the beach for 5 o'cock tomorrow morning.  We are off out for dinner- Happy Birthday to my mother.