Brazil Day 12: Rio

 I was wrong. Today was not a wasted day on the way to the airport. Vicente loves Rio, including the crowds and traffic and was eager to take us out exploring. We went to Tijuca Forest National Park, although it turned out to be closed to cars on Saturdays and Sundays. Only foot traffic and bicycles, of which we saw lots. There was no place to park and walk in, but the drive to get there had been awesome. We continued over the mountain to Mirantes das Canoas with a fabulous view of São Coanrado.

This trip was originally planned for Queila and Vicente's son Nathan's wedding in April 2020. Our trip didn't happen, but the wedding did. They had already gotten the license when everything closed down for Covid, and it had to be used within a certain number of days. This is where they came with their parents and a photographer. What a setting for a small outdoor wedding with a pandemic going on! They celebrated with a party 18 months later.

As we left, we surprised monkeys in the trees.

We walked a little further down the road to get a better view of the mountains.

Up to our right we spotted these paragliders. I can't imagine anything closer to the feeling of flying. Later we saw them landing on the beach at Barra da Tijuca. The speed with which they came in made me think again a bout my desire to fly.

We head for the airport in about 15 minutes, so I really don't think there will be more adventures this time.