This was our first disappointing glimpse of Cristo Redentor. Barely discernible from behind those hazy clouds. We decided it would be pointless going to Corcovado if visibility was going to be so poor. So we went to the Päo de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf) first instead and prayed hard that the weather would clear, for we had very little time in Rio.
Wrong decision! The clouds lifted as soon as we were up on Sugarloaf mountain, from where we got this fist real shot of the statue of Christ the Redeemer. By the time we reached the train station below Corcovado around 11 am, the lines were miles long and we were loath to waste our entire day trying to get to the statue.
He was omnipresent! Wherever we went we felt his towering presence watching over this beautiful city. A constant reminder of our disappointment.
We felt the effect of our 26 odd hour flight the next morning and barely managed to drag ourselves out of bed. We found even longer lines at the base of the hill and dejected, we decided we would have to be satisfied with this view (below) from a spot halfway up. Then off we went for our Sunday morning stroll around Ipanema and Lagoa and in the afternoon a drive across to Niteroi with Marcio Guedes whose help we had enlisted to maximise our limited time here.
On our return from Niteroi around sunset, the sight of the illuminated statue tempted us to make one final attempt to get up close and Marcio decided to drive us all the way up instead of waiting for the train. There were barely a handful of tourists at this hour and the tram and elevator up from the car park was a breeze.
And then………Wow!
Cristo Redentor in all his glory!
Christ enveloped in the warm glow of the flood lights with his hands outstretched in welcome. How could we have even considered leaving without seeing this!
We hung around a while and were rewarded with this additional bonus. (I know my poor camera does not do this scene justice, but you get the picture)
And this……
I was now ready to bid Rio adieu.
The Urge To Wander 
That really does sound worth the wait! 🙂
Oh it was Kathryn 🙂
Hi,
Wow, what a fantastic sight at night, just magnificent.
Isn’t it? All the forums and guides urge you to go early in the morning. Nowhere did it say that this was a good time to visit!
wow – & yes, your wee cmarea gives a damn good impression
Good enough for an impression 🙂
Amazing photos… 😉
Thank you Ledrakenoir!
Oh Rio! Sigh! What a wonderful experience it looks Madhu.
Oh yes it was! More than we expected!
Wow! Great photos…my grandfather, in his bid to escape Hungary during a time of strife (he was jewish), made his way to the states through Brazil. I can only image his relief upon seeing this vision that he and his family were redeemed.
Oh, that is a wonderful story Sahbina! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Incredible pictures as always, glad you hung around
To think we almost didn’t get there! Thanks for the feedback Jim.
Lovely – nice post, wonderful photos! The sense of the view does come through!
Glad you think so! I am my own worst critic 🙂
Amazing photographs, Madhu. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Ledia! Glad you liked them.
You are very welcome.
Great shots! I loved my three weeks in Rio! 😉
Three weeks? Lucky girl! We barely had three days en-route to Peru!
Wow Madhu! You’ve been to so many places. I’m really impressed and inspired! Brazil is high on my list but considering how far it is from this part of the world I’ll save it for my future big trip!
You have your whole life ahead of you Bama. R and I are acutely aware of time running out and hence try to do as much as we can. We just had about three days in Rio and one night in Iguacu (we spent another in Puerto Iguasu on the Argentinian side). We hope to return sometime to see a bit more of Brazil.
Very jealous! If you ever go to Lisbon, there’s a copy of the statue there that no-one ever goes to. Not the same as Rio, though!
Would rather be inspiring 🙂 We have been to Lisbon and seen the statue from afar. Need to check my old prints to see if I have a picture.
That last view of Lagoa is gorgeous. ….as are all of the photos.
Thank you Angeline! Could have been better, but I guess it does get the idea across 🙂
Hi Madhu, I love a happy ending! The photos are amazing.
Me too Naomi! We almost missed seeing it. if we had gone on day one as planned, we would likely not have returned again.
Lovely, Madhu! It’s good you managed to make it!!
Thank you! We almost didn’t 🙂
maybe the most famous hands …
Maybe Frizztext 🙂 At least the most famous I know!
That is an incredible photo, Madhu. I have one of me standing there underneath my umbrella, with the rain pelting down, and mist shrouding the scene. 😉
Thank you Ad! I probably would have had a photo like that if we had gone on day one! Strange that no one recommends going in the evening! It was so peaceful and beautiful!
Absolutely gorgeous photos!! It would have been a bummer if you only got the one long range, barely visible shot. That’s one of the things you go to Rio to SEE!
Thank you! I would never have forgiven myself if I hadn’t!
Your waiting definitely pad off. had you waited your pictures would have not been filled with evening beauty. good post!
Thanks! Things do have a way of working out in the end 🙂
I’m glad that you got to go to the statue. I wanted to go to Sugar Loaf for years (since I was 10), but when i finally made it to Rio in my 40’s, it was Corcovado that I was glad that I had gone too. As impressive as the statue & the scenery is, my favorite photo from that trip is one my husband took, looking away from the statue at all the tourists looking back at the statue, snapping pictures. 🙂
That must be a fun photo 🙂 Have you posted it in your blog?
No. I should find it and do that some day. I have always liked taking pictures of people taking pictures (the more amateurish, the better!) , so I could show a variety.
Terrific post Madhu. Take care. -Max-
Thanks Max. You too 🙂
Ow my! As if the statue is a representative of what just happened to trip. There’s light on top of the cliff. And with the statue seemingly symbolizing open-arm possibilities.
Yes!! And the possibilities are ALWAYS there. Just that people give up too easily. When it comes to my travels I never give up, to the extent R starts getting nervous about what I will come up with next. But it pays in the end 🙂
And that’s exactly the travel spirit! Make the most out of your travel, almost like a motto of mine. 😀
🙂
I love the pictures with Christ the Redeemer and clouds in the background! Lots of photos out there when it’s a clear day, but the clouds make it for me! Ellie http://www.themuseisworking.com
You are right Ellie 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
WOW indeed! Breath-taking shots.
Thank you Mona!
amazing shots Madhu!
Thanks Mimo.
Great pics Madhu. Brazil is another of the places I really wish to visit….some day hopefully…& there is something amazing about that statue .
We didn’t do much of Brazil apart from our two days in Rio and a night in Igacu on the way out. Would love to see more. Thanks for the visit Kavi.
WOW! These are wonderful!
Delighted Jeff! Thank you!
The photograph of Cristo Redentor when lit up and the beautiful Sugarloaf at dusk – just out of this world… Amazing shots Madhu. Please keep travelling and please keep sharing. Simply loved this post:)
Glad you do ishita! Appreciate your visit and comment!
That is spectacular! Thank you for “taking” us up there!
It was my pleasure entirely Amy! Thank YOU for coming along.
Amy is right. It’s like Madhu picks us up, takes us to church, and then walks around showing us the sights. You make the hard work look sooo easy.
You are too generous Witt! (Not that I mind too much :-)) But a bit of research is all that is required to get that little bit extra from ones travels.
I am so glad you shared this with us. Seeing through the clouds then straight on with the glow of the lights was breath taking.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Glad you enjoyed it Francine!
The power and inspiration of the amazing visions we see. The statues hand remind us that we have a God that loves and accepts us for who we are. Beautiful!
Thank you Island traveller.
what a great story, Madhu. thanks for sharing your adventure and your view.
My pleasure entirely! Thank YOU P&K 🙂
It never ceases to amaze me. 😉
I can Imagine why Eliz! Are Brazilian?
Aren’t you lucky, to have been about to tour this beautiful place in person, Madhu? Our world offers so many beautiful sights, even only visiting for a short time will no doubt leave lasting memories. Thank you for sharing those memories with the rest of us. 🙂
Thank YOU dear Marcy!
Superb! Nice build up and stunning pix to illustrate your dejection followed by exhilaration – and rightly so. What a wonderful sight:)
Thank you. I was almost sure we would not be able to see it up close!
Beautiful place 🙂
Oh yes Jake 🙂
Wow, the photos up close at night with the clouds are spectacular! Oh, I want to go to Rio so bad and Brazil in general! On my wish list. Did you make it to the Amazon?
No we didn’t Nicole. Rio was a short stopover on our trip to Peru and Argentina, since our connection was via Sao Paulo. I want to go back to Brazil just as bad as you 🙂
Blog world is amazing. You meet some interesting people and you are one of them thanks so much for your lovely blog. I really do not know but please go through my blog it is bit about Brazil. Thanks once again.
Loved your photos Arjun! Thank you so much for stopping by to check this out.
I loved your work I was near the Christ and was on Ipanema beach after looking your pictures. Life is just too amazing.
Beautiful Madhu!
Thank you Gilly.
Another great post – I had a similar challenge when I went to Corcovado – it wasn’t until my 4th time to Rio that we finally braved the crowds and the weather had cleared up enough to make the trip worth it.