Our second and final day in Rio de Janeiro climaxed with a visit to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Before leaving home we had booked a tour to both the Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue, and we had received instructions to arrive at the Hilton Hotel in Copacabana by 13:25 and we would be collected by our tour guide. We left our hotel at 11:00 having checked with the Reception Desk for directions. He told us to catch the subway again but in the opposite direction from yesterday. We also had to travel past 4 stations this trip.
Statue of Princess Isabella outside the Hilton Hotel
We took a look around in the foyer of the hotel and, once we understood to where we would have to return, we went out for a walk across the road to Copacabana Beach. This was quite interesting for a couple of reasons. Once again it was a really hot day and the beach sand was very hot. Walking on it was not really an option and to make the necessary action of getting around, more comfortable, the city has developed a novel solution. Just below the surface a hose runs up the beach with water running through it, which is recycled to prevent any waste. This meant that the area around the hose is always wet and people are able to walk from the street to the sea the in reasonable comfort. Also, there were large rubbish bins all over the beach and there was no litter to be seen anywhere.
A hose on the beach
After taking in all there was to see and having eaten our lunch under the shade of a tree, we returned to the hotel as time was moving on. We were surprised to find the lobby almost empty and no sign of any group of people. On enquiring at the Reception Desk, we learnt that they did not have the details and started phoning the company just as a gentleman walked up and asked for us. We discovered that there were only 2 others, a father and adult son, on this tour with us and they were waiting at another hotel down the road.
Of the 2 attractions we would visit the Sugar Loaf Mountain first, by cable car. We were driven to the Cable Car Station and our tour guide was able to organise Senior Citizen prices for us. A great help for those of us whose currency does not fare well against the US Dollar. Once we had tickets in hand, we went up to the station platform and were taken to the top of the Morro da Urca, a smaller mountain situated beside the Sugar Loaf.
We spent about 15mins there enjoying the views from every side before taking another car to the top of the Sugar Loaf. A helicopter was heard landing and we watched as 6 people climbed out. It turned out that visitors can take helicopter tours around the area and see the wonderful sites from high above. This excited the 2 gentlemen who were with us and they promptly arranged to partake in a helicopter tour.
After a stay of about 15mins, we took a second car to the top of the Sugar Loaf. As explained in my previous blog, the names of mountains in the area are based on their shape. Originally, sugar was not dried and made into small crystals but kept damp and made into loaf shapes and this mountain resembled these. After enjoying and being told about the places we could see from this point, we returned to the base station and then to our tour vehicle. Close to where he had parked was a large pool with a statue at one end. This was known as the Monument to Heroes of Laguna in Gen Tibercio Square.
From there we completed the long drive to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer. It is now possible to drive oneself almost to the top of the hill and then the balance of the journey to the very top is undertaken in shuttle busses. This became the system about 5 years ago as it was found that people who were driving themselves to the top on a very narrow road were causing accidents and damaging roadside vegetation. At the top of the mountain, the statue is more than impressive standing 38ft or 11.5m high. (6 men each 1.9m or 6.2ft standing one upon another)
In the 16th century, Portuguese navigators called this mountain “The Pinnacle of Temptation” comparing it with the mountain on which Jesus was tempted. 200 years later it was known as Corcovado due to its shape. It was a French Priest, Pierre-Marie Bos, and he was the first to recommend the erecting of a statue of Christ on top of this hill. In 1888, it had been suggested that a statue of Princess Isabel be erected but she rejected this, supporting the one of Christ as the true Redeemer, but this was rejected. Finally, in 1921 it was approved and fundraising began. Building took 5 years from 1926-1931, with the hands and head being created in France, and the body built directly on to the pedestal.
Beneath the statue, at the rear, is a beautiful little Chapel which is apparently used quite often but by whom our guide was not certain.
When we had enjoyed an hour-long opportunity to gaze and admire, we made our way back down to the car park and then to the stop where our driver was waiting for us. Trevor arranged that he take us to the nearest subway instead of back to the Hilton which helped a lot. On arrival at the subway, we were shocked to see a young man being arrested for attacking someone on the platform but were very grateful that it was not ourselves. We purchased something for supper and then had an early night as we had to be up early again to get a flight to Buenos Aires the next morning.
And a photo finish.
Vicky & Trevor
