Through the mist....

Another day in Paradise - or at least it would be if the sun shone!!!
With some blue skies over head we decided to head to the pinacle of Rio symbolism - the Cristo Redentor Statue and typical for us, the journey took so long that once we were at the top, the statue had disappeared under thick cloud. (See photo!!!)
But, with patience and not a lot else on our schedule for today, we waited for the clouds to break, and they did!!!

I'll not say I was disappointed with the statue... but I thought it and its surroundings would have been a lot larger. We've seen it on tv, in books and one other pieces of information, but the reality of it was that it is not that imposing a statue. You really need to search for it when you're out in the streets and even then it's difficult to see.

Enough of those ramblings.... tonight saw the commencement of our 'Southern Cross' trip.
We met the other nine individuals and the two tour leaders who are going to suffer us for the next number of weeks and we're certainly a mixed bunch. Two Southern Irish people, 4 English, 1 German and 2 Canadians. Chris and I are one of 2 married couples and I'm pleased that we're not the only one.

Everyone went out for a buffet meal and it was good - you just weren't too sure of what you were being given, but the Chicken hearts were quite nice!!!
We're now packing our bags once again and heading onto the Ilha Grande where there are supposedly no main roads!!! It will be interesting.

I don't know how I'd summarise Rio de Janeiro. I was taking it over with someone tonight and although we felt quite safe in Sao Paulo, Rio is a different story. The areas are not clearly defined and there are a lot of homeless people on the streets. The rich are walking over the poor and the darkness of the areas makes you feel very wary. With Sao Paulo, the more graffiti and run down housing, the more you were able to read about where you were likely to head... here, it seems to be all around you.
The people are helpful and it would be good to come back with some guaranteed sunshine to grace the lovely beaches, but there are other places to visit first!!!

We'll try to update this when we're on the road, and there are some internet places en-route. So please be patient.
Love from us xx