Sugarloaf Mountain: Great Views and New Shoes

Once again, the Rio weather had us on our toes on Wednesday, and we were starting to realise that with only a few days left in Rio, waiting for a day clear enough to visit Sugarloaf Mountain wasn't really an option, if we wanted to see it before we move on to our next location on Saturday. 

With forecasts of storms for our last few days in Rio, we decided to bite the bullet, and just go. Even if the views wern't great, it would have been worse to say we hadn't done it at all.

As language barriers with taxi drivers are evidently clear, and our new found confidence at navigating through Rio, we decided to walk the hour and a half journey from Ipenema (not everything is as close as it looks). Walking also enabled us to stroll along the infamous Copacabana beach which we hadn't yet done.

A rare blue sky from our time in Rio

At the Copa...Copacabana 

Walking along the seafront, we quickly realised that Copacabana has a younger vibe, and therefore people tried to interact with us more. We were offered Marajuana a couple of times, and heckled a bit more than Ipanema, but nothing too intimidating. We find if you keep walking and polietly decline, they don't further bother you.

We were also approached by two young gentlemen painted head to toe in different colours. We have seen a few people, both genders painted like this for the last few days now, and thought it was something to do with the football. They all seem to be holding empty cups too and asking for money, so we were interested at what they were doing.

As the two young guys approached us, one of them started to explain in perfect English, that the students of the local University paint themselves and take to the streets to ask for money for school supplies. As he was so polite, we gave him some change, and told him that we were happy to fund him at a school that was teaching such perfect English to their students. We wished we got a picture of them but we always forget!

As we furthered our stroll down the Copacabana, Steph remembered Mo telling us that the official Havaianas shop was nearby, and she was keen to get a pair. As a Brazilian brand flip flop, it would have been silly not to buy such a cool yet practical souvenir straight from the source.

After a little browse and purchase of her Flip Flops, Tom got immediate envy and snatched up a pair too. At home, Havainanas cost around £30.00 in Office, yet here we got them for a mere £12.00. Bargain!

Leaving the shop, we decided to get a taxi to Sugarloaf, as the last boarding up to the top is at 5:00pm and it was also starting to rain. Not good news for the crystal clear views we wanted at the top!

A plus side of the bad weather once again, was no queues, so we zoomed to the front of the queue at the ticket office, and paid $R62.00 each (£15.00). From there, we got into the first cable car, that took us to the smaller peak just below Sugarloaf itself. At the top, were a few unexpected shopping facilities and bars. We thought it would just be another hop onto the other cable car. With nice views here, we decided to stay for a beer, and to have a look around. We still had a couple of hours or so before the sun set. 

There were huge black vultures (Cinereous Vultures) flying at the height of this rock, with massive wing spans. As well those, aeroplanes flew right at our eye level, as they came into land at the Rio de Janerio airport we flew into.

You can pay to go on a helicopter ride from here, to get a view from above

This platform also offered great views of Sugarloaf itself, so of course, we took another opportunity for some creative posing.

We got onto the next cable car at about 5:30 so the sunset was nearing us. It sets at about 5:30-6 in Rio. At the top, the views went on for miles. There were still clouds in the sky but it almost made the sunset more dramatic, as it occasionally created big beams of light over certain parts of Rio, and the pink/purple colours shining through them made it look even better. We forgave the weather for the hazy views at Christ the Redeemer, because here, the view point, in our opinion, was actually breathtakingly better.

From here, I think it is safe to say it finally hit us we were in Rio, and Steph even got a bit emotional because she realised we were finally on our trip around the world! (She didn't actually cry, she's not that soppy).

Each minute that went by, the sun would set more, and the views were ever changing.

There isn't much to say apart from that the pictures do it no justice. It's going to get a little picture heavy now and we promise none of these have been photoshopped or retouched!

Christ The Redeemer

panoramic

Hazy red mountains in the distance

As if we hadn't been blessed enough with the amazing weather, the storm coming in from behind us created the largest, and most vivid rainbow we've ever seen. Suddenly everyone ran to the opposite side of the viewing platform for the amazing view of the rainbow.

Before leaving, we quickly made our mark on the large advertisement, that invites tourists to sign, and took in the last few moments of the sun going down behind the mountains. It was also nice to see Rio by dark, with all the houses lit up, and also Christ the Redeemer.

Top left is Corcivado

We had no real expectations of how good Sugarloaf would be. We thought Corcivado would provide the same, if not better views, but our day proved us wrong. We would actually go as far to say we preferred Sugarloaf, and seeing it at sunset is something everyone should add to their bucket lists. If you get the chance to go, maybe don't just hold out for a crystal clear day, because we got a great view, and you may get the added bonus of a Rainbow. Sugarloaf is a must do, and we're glad we gave it a whole day to itself. It really is spectacular and something that should be appreciated.

Well done Rio, you did it again.