BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro, HANG GLIDING OVER RIO

1/23/11

Regardless of the cost, I had made up my mind that I would hang glide over Rio when I went to South America. Plus, I had heard so many incredible stories. It was spectacular and breathtaking. 10 minutes of soaring over the city and landing on the Sao Conrado Beach. I also was able to watch many para gliders and hang gliders take off before it was my turn. Will post a few pictures but have a mini DVD of entire flight that I must find out how to transfer to my computer which has no place for Cd's or DVD. Hopefully I will visit Christ the Redeemer or Sugar Loaf Mountain tomorrow. So expensive here, may leave one day early.

Landing Area

BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema Beach

1/24/11

Not as crowded as on the weekend

BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro,

1/22/11

4 hr bus ride to Rio and arrived around 2:30 pm. Very fortunate that girl from the hostel in Paraty, Tess, was also going to Rio so we rode the bus together and shared a cab to the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Just found out the hang gliding trip is $200 for 10 minutes. Decisions, decisions, ha ha, everyone knows I am gonna do it. Time to head the 1 block to Ipanema Beach. Excitement is almost unbearable. 5 nights in Rio and then heading north, not sure where. Missing the grandkids and rest of family a lot.

BRAZIL, Paraty Island Cruise

1/21/11

Went at 11 am on a 5 hr cruise to several islands for swimming and snorkeling. There are 365 islands around the city of Paraty. It was a small boat with only about 10 passengers but of course there were many other boats also doing the same thing. Fun day and one of the reasons I went to Paraty. Leave at 10:20 am for the 4 hr bus ride to Rio de Janeiro for a 6 days visit. Staying on Ipanema Beach and hopefully will get a chance to hang glide over Rio and see Christ the Redeemer, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

BRAZIL, Paraty, Beach with Sabrina

1/20/11

Went to the beach with my new friend, Sabrina, who moved to Brazil 1.5 months ago from Italy. She is from Romania and learned Portuguese in only 1 month which I think is amazing. She has the ability to immediately make you feel like one of her best friends. Great day listening to her thoughts on life. Looks like she found her place in this world (Paraty). Still looking for mine. May do boat trip to one of the 365 islands (1 for each day of the year).

BRAZIL, Foz de Iguazu, Iguazu Falls

1/17/11

30 minute bus ride to Foz de Iguazu from Argentina and checked my bags at the hostel. Then headed for the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. While many claim the Argentine side is the better because you are sooo close to the falls that you get soaking wet. For that reason also many pictures have too much moisture from the falls to get a really great picture. The Brazilian side was INCREDIBLE and offered many great pictures of the falls with many more falls in the picture. Momentarily considered the $100 10 minute helicopter flight over the falls but will try and get a YouTube video instead. Can't wait to post pictures. Day trip tomorrow to 2nd largest dam in the world after the 3 Gorges Dam , then 4 pm bus for 22 hours to Paraty for some great beach time.