Brazil

A huge country famous for its many heritage sites, natural wonders, and fascinating culture.

The 2016 Olympic Games was held in Rio de Janeiro. My trip all started with a thought while watching the games on TV in my hotel room during a work layover. I decided that moment that I would go to Brazil to see how it is with the crowd in the Olympic games. 

Viola! I made the trip. 

Brazil is the largest country in Latin and South America, the fifth-largest country by area, and the sixth-most populous.  Given the population, it is one of the most multicultural and ethically diverse nations.

Here are some highlights of my trip to one of my favorite countries.

"Christ The Redeemer" is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro.  It was constructed between 1922 and 1931, with a height of 98 ft, and the arms stretch to 28 meters wide.  Huge, right? We were all looking up, witnessing how tall is this statue. It is located at the peak of Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, overlooking the city of Rio. 

This statue is a cultural icon of Brazil and one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World." As a symbol of Christianity across the world, tourists visit to admire the statue and pray. I paid homage and said a little prayer. Thanks to granted prayers!

Brazil hosted 11,000 athletes during the Olympics. The games took place at 33 venues in the city and 5 venues in other cities of Brazil. The host nation won 7 gold medals, and the U.S. won 46, which is the highest number of gold medals. If you've noticed, I came prepared with my cap to represent the US.

Could you imagine how busy, crowded, and fun Brazil was during those days? Yes, it was a lot of fun for me.  I am not a sports fanatic but traveling to Rio was not to watch the games but to experience this famous event.

There were Olympic signs on the beach, and you had to wait for your turn to take a solo souvenir photo with the sign. It wasn't easy, but that was part of the fun. 

Did you know that those five interlaced rings represent the five continents of the world? I didn't know this trivia until that day. Something new I learned from this trip.

"Sugar Loaf Mountain" is a peak in Rio at the mouth of Guanabara Bay. The name is referred to its resemblance to the shape of loaf sugar (a tall cone with a rounded top), which was produced and sold until the late 19th century.  

I must admit that this is one of my favorite tourist destinations.  As you would see in my photos, this place has a stunning panoramic view of the city, beaches, and mountains. The cable car is the way to go up and down the summit. There is a second cable car that connects to the city, which is called Morro da Urca. It was absolutely an amazing experience!

From the top, you would enjoy a mesmerizing view of Christ The Redeemer. It was like a feeling of wow! I couldn't describe this place other than saying-it's simply amazing.

"Selaron Steps" was created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron as a tribute to the Brazilian people. It's located downtown that connects two famous neighborhoods, the "Lapa Neighborhood," which is the place for nightlife, and "Santa Teresa Neighborhood," which is famous for its 19th-century plantation mansions and cobblestone streets.

Holding hands with Mother Teresa at the "Metropolitan Cathedral" is another unforgettable memory. Her statue is a work of an Albanian sculptor as a symbolic gift of Albanian people to Brazilians on Mother Teresa's consecration. I am a fan of Mother Teresa, her life, and her works. Seeing her statue here was another unique experience.

Along downtown is the famous "Copacabana Beach."  It's famous for sun-worshippers and kids building sandcastles. This white sand beach has been popularized by the song of Barry Manilow. I was on the right spot to sing the "Copacobana" song while walking on the shore. That song was in my head the whole trip! It was a gorgeous day to watch people and sip on a refreshing drink. Along this stretch are shops, restaurants, and old buildings, including Copacabana Palace. People were busy shopping for their Olympic souvenirs. 

Brazil is also famous for its "Carnival." According to Guinness World Records, it is the biggest carnival in the world. It's their annual celebration before the fasting season of Lent. They also call it the biggest show on earth, a six-day party with crowds of people from all over the world, dancing and singing on the streets. It must be a fun event but for sure crowded!

There are many World Heritage Sites in Brazil. One is the "Iguazu National Park," which is the largest waterfall globally, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Another famous is the "Amazon River," which is the second-longest river in the world. The river flows from Peru through Colombia and Brazil, but the largest part of the river in Brazil. 

Many people think, including myself, that Rio de Janeiro is the capital of Brazil. The capital is actually the "City of Brasilia" named as 'City of Design.' It became one of the World Heritage Sites in Brazil because of its modern architecture.

Traveling alone to Brazil is fine. And when you do, joining a group tour, like what I did, is always the best thing to do. It's worth it. Just like anywhere else, you have to exercise precautions.

Brazil is absolutely a beautiful country, complemented by my amazing trip. I would go back anytime.