Royal Rio Palace Hotel Rio De Janeiro

... worth the wait though, the train ride alone was another great way to see Rio (this time from the opposite direction than from Sugarloaf), made more interesting by an impromptu samba band joining the train half way up - lots of foot tapping going on at this point - but not too much as then you have to make a "donation"! At the top, its easy to see why Christ the Redeemer is one of the new 7 wonders of the world - the views were absolutely stunning. Not a cloud in ...

... managed to watch a small family of monkeys(no idea what kind, I can't find any info) from above the foliage, and I saw an owl, a poisonous snake(this was actually pretty scary, since I was climbing a mountain by myself, and had no idea where I was), numerous frogs, and various birds. This day marks the beginning of what I've dubbed my "hiking-phase". Since this day, I've walked 10-30km every day. My legs hurt. Oh, and I did all of that in my ...

... an extreme hill in which buses, a train, and pedestrians roam... and is the size of a one way one lane street. it is secure- you have to buzz to get in and then head up at least 55 stairs... nobody would want to break into this place... it would take too much effort. okay, im off to find coffee and water.<br><br>mom stop worrying... i called mike and he verified that i am alive. ill right more later

... told that if we got ready quick enough we could get on the rave boat around copacabana and ipanema ...

... and lime squash together, YUCK! but then thats me can´t drink spirits for anything but he´s loving it its R$5 which is round 2euro! nice eh! K think I´m gona head out there, get a beer on the way and c whats goin on! There is talk bout other people in the hostel goin to a Favalas Party, we´l c bout that one not so sur!! K over and out from me, until nxt time Mir x Pssst thanks for the comments Kerry and Fez!! Speak up people we miss u guys!!

... Lapa, the happening nightlife center or Rio. Just 10 years ago or so, this was a dangerous place that only pimps, *****s, and thieves ventured to. It used to be the center for Samba music. The old buildings were crumbled and decaying and Samba was considered "grandpa music." Now, Samba, and Lapa with it, have made a comeback and the streets are packed at night with revelers. Many of these beautiful old buildings have been restored into clubs and ...

... Rio without seeing the ststue right!! Waited in line and got our tickets for the train up there. Then Reen started spewing. Then Adam started spewing. They were both spewing!! Dodgy Bobs burgers from the night before! We couldnt go to the statue and we couldnt go hang gliding. We were both devostated. But its ok, cos we will be back in Rio VERY soon!! That is a promise!! We slept until we had to get on our flight to Florianopolis. Very unpleasent flight when you are both ill!!!

... of why Rio is so special, sheer mountains, covered with rainforest separate the different districts of the city, mostly flowing down into pure white sandy beaches. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the symbol of Rio, Christ the Redeemer (aka the Big Jesus) was playing ball and stayed in the clouds. We put this right the next day by taking a trip up to the big Jesus. The tram ride up was steep but did mean ...

... superior technique ;)<br><br> <br><br>Soon we were both heading over the hotels and out towards the Atlantic Ocean!<br><br> <br><br> <br><br>Just before we started preparing our landing run we were both told to turn around and face the camera, I LOVE these photos! <br><br>Perfect for ...