Rio Rio Rio

Everything in Rio has been so spectacular! On my second morning I joined Laura and Moritz, a couple people from Germany that I met in the hostel the night before, for a hike. Second day, already hiking... No surprise there. And with some awesome new people I met. Doesn't get better than that. We journeyed to the top of Morro Dos Irmaos (Twin Brothers Hill). You access the trail from the Vidigal favela. (If you don't know what a favela is.. Google it and check it out.. Basically they are slums in an urban location.. But they are very unique and despondently beautiful places). The motorbike ride from the drop off point to the start of the trail was so much fun! I was probably hanging on fairrrrrrly tightly while being amazed at the driver's maneuvering and 'risky' driving up the steep hill, around cars and people. Loved it. Then the hiking began. Thankfully it wasn't toooo long because the heat and humidity made it feel longer than it was! For my Temple fitness crew... I would rate it a 2/5 prowler sprints. Hard but short... And worth it for this view!

And this view....

This is what the trail looks like:

(And this is a typical Ellie while hiking photo.. Expect more of these over the next few months

We walked all the way down to get a good look through Vidigal..

I am totally loving all the street art.

Then we kept walking to Vidigal beach, walked along the sand, watched the waves, and continued to Leblon beach.

And had a coconut... Look at that beautiful frizzy hair in this Brazilian humidity.

There's a look back at the mountain we climbed!

The rest of the evening was spent enjoying the Paralympic opening ceremonies with the girls I met the night before, eating a Brazilian hot dog (so many toppings.. So good) and later a sandwich called the Manitoba!! (Couldn't say no to that!)

The next day I headed to check out Santa Teresa neighbourhood in the morning, walked around by myself (it was totally safe Mom, don't worry!) And beautiful..

Then continued to Escadaria Selaron (Selaron steps)..

Next stop... Paralympics!! I joined the girls at Judo. We got to see 4 medal classes (so 12 matches/bouts). They are all visually impaired contenders and it was so interesting to watch how they compete without sight. The atmosphere of a live competition and the Paralympic environment was so amazing.. I loved it.

After we returned to the hostel I had to decide what I was doing the next day. Those of you that may have commented on my 'over planning' of the trip will be able to throw in an "I told you so". I totally changed destinations at the last minute. Heading for Ilha Grande instead of Paraty based on a number of other backpacker's recommendations.
And then I proceeded to decide to go out to a bar with others from the hostel before a 7am bus ride... Hadn't been out yet ya know, gotta start the trip off right.. Even if it made for a loooong bus ride! But that's for the next post!