Christ the Redeemer

Dec. 4
It was 9.30am and I wanted to keep sleeping but the complimentary breakfast goes from 8 to 10 and I wasn't about to miss a free breaky! The spread was extensive for a free breakfast. Buns, toast, sliced cold meat, eggs, fruit, cereal and coffee and juice. I filled my belly and then read for a while. Seems like most of the guests of the hostel don't speak english as their first language, so I was happy to finally hear some english voices. They belonged to Kyle and Brandon from the US and with them Camilla from Sweden. I was staying 3 days in Rio to visit the Christ Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf mountain. I would do them solo but was looking for company. An hour later the four of us were on our way.
     We took a local bus to the base of Corcovado mountain. From there we took the cog train up to the top of the mountain. The 20 minute ride snaked through the forest of Tiajuca national park inside which the monument is located. We ascended into the clouds, litterally! We got to the top and couldn't see a thing! Not even the Christ statue when I was standing right beside it. I was hoping the clouds would pass or at least open up to give us a little sneak peek. Thankfully they did, though not for long. I managed to get a few pics but I was hoping for a lot more of the statue and the views. I stayed on top of the mountain for 3 hours, hoping for a break. But only a few very short openings came. My companions left after one hour. I kept myself busy taking pictures of some lizards, insects and butterflies. While I was photographing one butterfly near the ledge, a bushy tail passed by. A mammal! It was a coati, like a racoon. I was surprised and super happy, I didn't think I would see anything like this up here, with all these people around. It was very busy. It was saturday afterall but maybe it's busy everyday, I don't know.
I took the bus back to Copacabana and showered and washed my clothes again.  Tomorrow the plan is to conquer Sugarloaf mountain with Brandon, Kyle and Camilla.