South America 2017: 13 Brazil - Rio de Janeiro breathtaking attractions

“Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” - Benjamin Franklin

(Breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro)

Day 13: Saturday, 28 Oct 2017
Route: Rio de Janeiro Tour

(Getting ready to visit the Tijuca National Park)

(Riding the jeep to the urban rain forest)

(The Chinese viewpoint)

(Taunay's Waterfall)

(Visiting the museum in the forest)

Early in the morning we boarded a 4x4 vehicle to visit Tijuca Forest, the World Largest Urban Rain Forest and visited Monkeys Waterfall, the Chinese Viewpoint, Mesa do Imperador and Taunay’s Waterfall.

(Mario Filho Football Stadium)

(Brazilian Football team caps for sale)

(Masjid El-Nur)

After visiting the urban jungle, we visited Mario Filho Stadium also known as Maracana Stadium mainly used for football matches between the major football clubs in Rio. This stadium used to host the 1950 FIFA World Cup, in which Brazil was beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in front of the home spectators. 

(Painting on the wall)

(Local artists inspirations)

(Line-up of vibrant coloured parrots)

(The crowd at the Selaron steps)

(Quranic verses on the steps)

(Mosaics with Muslims writings)

(Beautiful mosaic staircase)

(Selarón’s unique and vivid mosaic steps)

(The world famous coloured steps)

(125 meters of steps covered in bright tiles)

(A long walk to the top of the stairs)

(Creative and funny cartoon mosaics)

(Add a place in the massive list)

(Another painting on the wall)

We also visited Masjid El Nur or Mesquita da Luz. After our prayers at the mosque, we visited Escadaria Selaron, a world famous colourful mosaic steps. Escadaria Selarón, also known as the 'Selaron Steps', is a set of world-famous steps in Rio de Janeiro. They are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón who claimed it as his tribute to the Brazilian people. The steps are in fragments of blue, green and yellow tiles – the colours of the Brazilian flag. There are also beautiful murals and paintings on the wall.

(The cable car ticket)

(A long ride to the peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain)

(A colourful painting)

(Mid-way to the Sugar Loaf Mountain)

(A view of the mountain and the bay)

Next we boarded the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain for a good view of Rio, Guanabara Bay and the beaches. Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 meter above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. It is known worldwide for its cableway and panoramic views of the city. The mountain is one of several monolithic granite and quartz mountains that rise straight from the water's edge around Rio de Janeiro. The mountain is protected by the Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca Hill Natural Monument, created in 2006. This became part of a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 2012.

On the way back to the hotel we passed beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, famous official locations for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

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