Sunday, 26 February 2017

Arrival in Rio de Janeiiro

Another scenic sail-in. This time at 7:00, with cloud and mist, but not enough to hide the drama of the steep peaks and jagged mountain ranges. Silver Spirit passed Sugar Loaf mountain, with the Christ the Redeemer Statue on another peak set further away. There was loud samba music at the pier even at that time in the morning. Much of the city is modern high-rise but a hillside favela is visible from the ship.

TSH ventured onto the cable car up Sugar Loaf but Diva decided to wait for the funicular up to the statue. This latter excursion will be early in the morning after the night at Carnival – a hectic couple of days. Whilst on the ship, Diva saw bubbles in the water which were said by another guest to be caused by hunting dolphins blowing bubbles to confuse a shoal of fish.

TSH enjoyed the cable car trip up Sugar Loaf, which is about 1,000 feet high. He made sure he left the ship early enough to be on the first bus out of the port, which got to the cable car before queues had developed, so that the cable cars were not full. The views over Rio and beyond were very good even though there was some haze. At the summit, there were a number of interesting birds and lizards (or iguanas), including two that were about three feet long).

On the way back many carnivals were in progress, with very many people in fancy dress (although the amount of dress in many cases was very limited).

Too many other cruise ships to mention but Celebrity Infinity is here and there is a Regent as well.

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