Tuesday 28^th February 2017

Corcovado – the most iconic hunchbacked peak, with the statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio.  The Peak is 710m high and the statue 38m, which is hugely impressive. We reached it via a short steep railway line, rattling away at max 15kpm, but affording wonderful views of both the forest and the vista over the bays. The amount of people at the top made it a bit of a jostling nightmare, extremely hot, and not very pleasant. Some ‘selfie-merchants’ were so interested at looking at themselves, I’m not sure they even appreciated the moment.

Met up with Julie Brewster and her mate Rachel for a ‘weighed’ bbq (luckily not us) which is quite a good idea. You choose exactly what salads and meats you want then they weigh the lot, deduct the plate and they update your individual card. Sorts all problems out when eating with large groups. Onwards to meet up with our group who were celebrating Allan’s birthday in time-honoured way i.e. cheap street pub.  Then Julie and Rachel left to return to UK, donating us a few items to remember them by – mossie repellent, Imodium, toilet roll….. you get the drift.