What a Wonderful World (An #AtoZChallenge Post): R is for Rio de Janeiro

Sunset over Rio de Janeiro. Christ the Redeemer stands on top of the highest mountain peak.

My husband recently re-retired, and we are front-loading travel. My #AtoZChallenge posts this year will explore our adventures—some pre-retirement, some post. Today’s location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Rio de Janeiro has one of the most beautiful physical settings of any city. The sugar loaf mountains rise dramatically from the nearby beaches, and Christ the Redeemer stands, arms outstretched, looking over the entire area.  It is absolutely stunning!

A small boat glides through the water as the sun sets behind the mountains of Rio de Janeiro

The mountains are called sugar loafs because they resemble the shape of the molded sugar that was traditionally sold in Brazil. Although there are many mountains with that shape, there is one in particular that is known to locals and tourists alike as Sugar Loaf. That one has a tram that can be ridden to the top and offers spectacular views of the city. 

The view after riding the tram to the top of Sugar Loaf shows the mountains, the city of Rio de Janeiro, and the blue waters of Botafogo Bay on the right and the Atlantic Ocean on the left

Before we rode the tram on Sugar Loaf, we visited the Seleron Steps. In 1990, Jorge Seleron started decorating the steps near his home with ceramic tiles. Before you knew it, people from all over the world were sending him ceramic tiles to add to the steps. Not only the steps were decorated, but also the walls on each side of the steps. There are hundreds of steps to explore, and thousands of tiles decorating them. 

John and I sit on the Seleron Steps, which are decorated with yellow, green, and blue tiles, with red tiles on the walls

The iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer is synonymous with Rio de Janeiro.  The tall structure was made by assembling thousands of small triangles together. The stairs and walkways surrounding the base are crowded daily with flocks of people coming to see the statue for themselves. 

The back of the Christ the Redeemer statue stands against a deep blue sky

The sun shines behind the head of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Hordes of people flock around the base of the statue.

Detail of Christ the Redeemer shows many tiny little triangles 

We loved visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue, and also loved visiting another reminder of Jesus: the Rio de Janeiro temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. Although it was closed on the day we were there, we were still able to walk around the peaceful grounds. 

Palm trees line the sidewalks leading up to the white granite, spired temple

We definitely want to return to Rio again sometime!

Come back tomorrow to see where in the world we’ll visit next!