https://www.lonelyplanet.com/brazil/rio-de-janeiro/travel-tips-and-articles/76502
Returning to Rio city after my ‘holiday’ in Paraty, I had the Sugar Loaf mountain trip to do and Copacabana beach, although I found out from the English boys at Christ the Redeemer that it is no logner THE beach in Rio but second to the next one along called
Casa de Wanderley – I loved this place!
I found Casa de Wanderley, where I’m staying,on my third night in Rio after booking my first two in a very dubious ‘hostel’ – not that clean or nice to stay in. But the casa is an artist’s home, quirky, unique and very clean and comfortable, and my host is lovely, friendly and helpful with my day trips re buses etc. and he speaks some English, or we use Google translate!
Later on, I made my way back to Santa Teresa as no point in staying on clouded beach that is, really, just a beach…I got off the bus to,have a quick look around the centre, which was tiny, saw the bonde go by again and five buses…then nothing for half an hour when I stood, then walked back, in the rain!!
“Copa – Copacabana …the hottest spot north of Havana” so goes the song
Sat in a quiosque bar on Copacabana beach for lunch…because it’s raining!!! Came back to Rio after the first two days and then four in Paraty, a colonial- maintained town on the coast. And it’s rained both days! Yesterday, I just made it to Sugar Loaf mountain on the two level cable car, got the photos and saw the views – including Cristo Redentor – before the cloud came in and it poured down. I did get wet through, even though I had got my wind and shower proof jacket (bought in Melbourne for the penguin trip, it’s been so handy!) it was heavy rain for a while, and I had started to walk to see the lovely little beach below Sugar Loaf two Sheffield lads had told me about. So I eventually got a taxi, after losing one and giving up the next to a couple. I went to my usual haunt – Rua Me, de Sa, as I know where I am there, restaurants and near to my bus 014 up to Santa Teresa (a lovely quaint bohemian town, just near the Centro and Lapa).
I ate at Beierebi again where I like the food and can watch the people pas by, caching buses, customers and staff…I like to,people-watch!
The rain cleared and I walked to R. Gomes Freire for my bus, nearer to Rio Richuel, the main road I Walk down to for buses or shops, and took the ride up the steep, cobbled roads lined with coloured quirky homes. The bonde tram came down, apparently rejuvenated tourist attraction once e lines are completed over the Arcos de Rio, after closing in 2011 following a fatal accident. It looked dangerous, or exciting, rattling fast down the hills and round the sharp corners!! But at least now I understand the brightly painted stop in the square…it’s the bonde stop!
Clear Mind Thinking - Travel Blog 