On Sunday we walked along to the two museums about 1km down Olympic Boulevard from the wharf. It was so hot, 35 deg and the humidity was very high. It feels quite suffocating and doesn't make sightseeing as enjoyable as it should be when its so humid.
Its a very modern area which was given a facelift for the Olympics and I have to say it still seems well maintained and safe. There are many dodgy places here in Rio and we were advised to stay away from certain places.
The National History museum.
The Modern Art Museum of Tomorrow viewed from a balcony on the Historical museum. This very modern building is a piece of art on its own.
A mix of older homes in the city near the museums.
A very impressive exhibit in the modern museum. There were some interesting things to see but on the whole the building although stunning was quite empty of exhibits and there was so much space that could be filled. We could only assume that a lack of money was a contributing factor.
Looking out towards the entrance to the harbour.
This piece of art was sitting in water and really was stunning. We had noticed it from the Ship when we sailed in so was good to see it close up from inside.
Walking space down each side of the whole building were massive.
Both photos taken from the top of the elevator. The Globe spun around slowly with the images changing. Fascinating.
Yesterday we took a shuttle out to the beaches and passed through a seedy part of the city. the telephone hoods above were something I have never seen before but trying to hold a conversation would have been almost impossible with noisy trucks and buses etc passing through the area
Then there is the thousands of homeless people who make their "homes ' on the streets. Ive never seen so many homeless people. Very sad.
The Lapa Arches which was originally an aqueduct that ran across the city providing water supply but today it is used as a train route on the rails across the top.
The beautiful and famous Copacabana Beach with stark white sand that was very glaring in the sun.
A fresh water shower which must be a great luxury to get rid of all the salt and sand after swimming in the ocean.
The beach at the end of Copacabana. We had hoped to visit the old historical Fort that we were told was well worth a visit but being Monday it was closed.
Instead we retreated to a shopping Mall in Leblon,. An upmarket suburb of Rio to escape the heat. It was now early afternoon and the temperature was 38 deg.
This bookstore above was amazing. It was like an old library and had thousands and thousands of books in old fashioned shelving. Richard was looking for a small English dictionary but everything was in portuguese. What a surprise! They had a fabulous cafe up on a mezzanine floor that looked out over the shop where we had lunch. A bit of a treat as the food was very tasty and the staff friendly even though they couldn't speak English.
Orchids growing out of an old tree outside the Mall.
so now its goodbye to Rio. We have loved it here. On to Buzios a little further up the coast tomorrow.
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