Weekend Stroll in Rio de Janeiro

The weekend finally cleared up! ☀️ Day 1: Christ the Redeemer + Sugarloaf Mountain ⛰️Took the little train up to Christ the Redeemer (Cosme Velho, R$128). Seeing the statue up close was awe-inspiring—we even stumbled upon a priest baptizing a newborn! The panoramic view of Rio’s coastline from the summit was absolutely breathtaking. ⛰️Arrived at Sugarloaf Mountain (R$195) around 4 PM. Due to long lines for both cable cars, we didn’t reach the top until 5:30 PM. Watching the sunset cast golden light over Christ the Redeemer and seeing the twinkling lights of Copacabana Beach after dark was magical. Day 2: Exploring Around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas Originally booked a helicopter tour 🚁, but it got canceled last minute. 🏞️Parque Lage – A free park + palace, famous as a photo spot for Christ the Redeemer. Unfortunately, the palace was under renovation and closed. Moving on~ 🌸Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro (R$73, cash only) – A stunning garden lined with towering palm trees (or coconut trees?) at the entrance. Different plant zones, monkeys 🐒, and exotic birds made it a perfect weekend stroll. Feira Hippie de Ipanema – A colleague-recommended "mini-Yiwu" market selling unique raw stones and crystals. Didn’t buy anything since I’m no expert. 🌊Ipanema Beach – Walked over from the market and was pleasantly surprised! Friends had warned me about safety at the touristy Copacabana Beach, but Ipanema’s soft sand and clean water were fantastic. There’s even a climbable rock where you can sit and enjoy the ocean view. #Ipanema Beach#Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro#Parque Lage#Christ the Redeemer#Rio de Janeiro#Brazil