Brazilian Rain Forest

8 June 2022

Originally planned to visit the Santa Teresa neighborhood today, but didn't feel like climbing hills! Moved my Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep tour to today. This time, I had no trouble finding my guide, Henry, and driver, Maria--they were waiting when I got downstairs. Once again, I was the first picked up. We also picked up three older guys from Brixton, England who have been travelling the world together for nine years. They were hilarious. They had been up until 5am that morning drinking and were a little under the weather.

Next we picked up 5 older folks from Leon, France who mainly spoke French--Henry, who is part French, spoke both languages for us.

First stop was a viewpoint and seeing the face of the Guardian--Pedra da Gavea. The face is believed to have been carved by Phoenicians (there are Phoenician carvings there) who lived during the time of Pangea but most scientists and archeologists deny this. One of the eyes is a cave that goes deep inside.

Then we headed to Tijuca National Park, the largest city-surrounded urban forest in the world, originally built to replace all the deforestation thanks to sugar cane, tobacco, and coffee farming in the 19th century. The usual visitor center had been destroyed recently by a storm so we stopped at a gas station that was amazing! It is inside the park, along with several houses built before it became a public park.

Next stop, Taunay's waterfall--a beautiful 114 foot waterfall and bridge built in 1860. Took tons of photos here. Henry rubbed my finger on a plant that turned out to be tobacco (and made my finger stink). Saw some pretty purple berries that will eventually turn blue, some tiny blue/green birds, saba (?) trees whose roots you can play like a drum and also produce water.

acai tree

natural water fountain--safe to drink!

fixing the vistors center

tiny birds!

jackfruit tree

a baby tree growing out of a tree cut down!

more bees

brasil tree

another bee tube

inside of brasil tree

We took a short hike, saw more brasil trees (they are red inside which was used for ink, and also the wood is used for musical instruments, which is why they are endangered) drank from a natural water fountain, and crossed over a creek, then back to the jeep to Vista Chinesa, a mountainside pagoda built in 1903 with insane views of Rio.

two brothers

Cristo and Sugarloaf

Then we headed back to our hotels/Airbnbs. Not gonna lie, I was hoping the English dudes would invite me to go drinking with them--they were awesome!

Headed out to try some acai--frozen acai treat with numerous toppings you can customize. Quite good, but very sweet. Also bought a brigadeiro--a Brazilian truffle-like chocolate masterpiece. Delicious.

Cristo on the way back

kitty that appeared to live in my bldg somewhere

rules of beach

Copacabana sidewalk

brigadeiro

I went in search of a hot dog for lunch along Copacabana beach (saw a crew of volunteers out cleaning up teh beach), but couldn't find any, so stopped at a place in my building called Bar Copacabana and had some delicious chicken risotto.

Headed to my room for the evening to relax for tomorrow's trek.