Hang gliding inside Tijuca National Park/Central Station, Rio

Today Marc and Michael and me rode to the top of the mountain and jumped off! Considered the best spot in Brazil for tandem flights, the Pedra Bonita take off ramp is located inside the famous Tijuca National Park, the largest urban rainforest in the world
We took off from an altitude of 520 meters (1675 feet), drifting over the amazing Tijuca’s National Park mountains, and also one of the most famous beach in Rio, the Pepino Beach. Mike parasailed while Marc and me did the hang glide. WOW!!! Unbelievable views of Rio and the beaches and mountains. There was a ramp straight off the mountains were we were told to start running and not stop! Our stomachs were in our throats as we jumped off and sailed straight out over the city. We were up in the air about 8 minutes. Definitely the high light of the trip! After our glide we took a taxi to Central Station in the middle of the city. This is where my favorite movie of all time was filmed of the same name. It reminded us very much of India: lots of stalls and very dirty and lots of people everywhere. We were told it was very dangerous to go and to NOT take pictures, but we succeeded in documenting it for the blog. We took a taxi back to Copacabana and ate a leisurely meal outside while watching the beach.

Buenos Aires/Christ the Redeemer

After a light breakfast we walked the famous Ipanema beach, taking in the large waves crashing on the shores while people sunned and surfed. We then journeyed by train and gondola to the Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca National Park to see the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. This exquisite 130-foot-tall statute took nine years to build and was completed in 1931. It is a symbol of Christianity and has become an icon for Rio and Brazil. In 2007, it was given the distinction of becoming one of the world's new "seven wonders."

Rio Di Janeiro

Today we woke to the sounds of the ocean at the Copacabana beach. The beach stretches for miles in both directions, and is large expanse of sand with volleyball nets and strollers in flip flops everywhere. The residents of this city are very into physical fitness, which is evident by the constant stream of joggers and people exercising. The beach is a way of life here.
We then drove to Sugarloaf Mountain for a two-stage cable car ride up to the top of this 1,3000 foot granite summit. Its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugar loaf sugar. However, it is believed that the name actually derives from Pau-ah-acqua (high hill) in the Tupi-Guarani language. We enjoyed a birds-eye view spanning the Copacabana Beach to Guanabara Bay and Corovado Mountain.
We continued exploring this amazing city with a more in-depth look of the historic downtown, including the new Cathedral and other well-known landmarks. Much of the city's zest for life comes from its passion for Carnival, an annual celebration that has defined this pleasure-loving city for decades. We learned about the costumes for the traditional Carnival parades and their history at a local samba school. We enjoyed a performance of a local samba band and dancers.
We lunched at Colombos, with its spectacular original Belle Epoque interior. After lunch we returned to the hotel and worked out at the gym and lounged at the rooftop pool, which had amazing views of the beach and downtown from the deck.