Brasil - where Santa wears swim trunks

December 19, 2018 and December 20, 2018

We are facing another long flight with an almost 10-hour layover in Santiago de Chile. Unfortunately, it's in the middle of the night and we won't even be able to use the time to explore the city. So we have no choice but to find a place to sleep in a 'quiet' corner (Christmas carols are played everywhere, but fortunately not a single time 'Last Christmas' by Wham! - we managed to avoid it this year!!!!).

In the afternoon, we finally arrive in Rio de Janeiro - a city of superlatives! The temperature is 30°C and the humidity is 80%. Over 6 million inhabitants spread across numerous peninsulas, which are repeatedly interrupted by beautiful bays. Compared to our initial clumsiness in dealing with Uber, we are now pros and don't miss the opportunity to take a small city tour on our way to the hostel. And what does a tourist naturally do first in Rio? Of course, go to Copacabana and admire the suntanned people. So that's exactly what we do. The water is wonderfully warm, the sun is scorching. On the beach, like everywhere in South America, there are street vendors who loudly offer their goods. Unfortunately, right in front of us, two particularly quarrelsome vendors start arguing. They shout, push each other, and end up fighting. The winner then distributes the other vendor's pastries in the sand and sinks his little portable oven, which had just been grilling his cheese, into the sea. The police intervene, after everything is over, and escort the alleged troublemaker away, while the other one continues to destroy his goods in anger.

Rio stands out above all for its diversity. There's no stereotype of 'the Brazilian'. We encounter people of all shapes and colors everywhere. Since Portuguese is very different from the Spanish we are now accustomed to, and we are not proficient in the mumbled dialect, especially prevalent in Rio, we have to resort back to the tried and true hand and foot communication. We immediately get a Claro-Sim card for internet access to use the online translator.

December 21, 2018

We spend the following day at Parque Lage, one of the many city parks known for their baroque buildings, caves, and free-roaming animals.

Next, we go to the Botanical Garden. This huge, beautifully landscaped and well-maintained park with its countless plants blends seamlessly into the rainforest at its edges. This allows us to observe wild monkeys and various birds such as toucans and all kinds of parrots, who use the garden as their second home.

After several unsuccessful attempts to call an Uber, we decide to walk back. Along the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, which is currently home to the largest floating Christmas tree - and a bunch of dead fish. Their smell is not exactly festive. We continue through the Leblon neighborhood and along Ipanema Beach. We walk more than 12 km in flip-flops until we finally arrive back at Copacabana in the evening.

December 22, 2018

We give Uber another chance and take a morning ride to the Dona Marta viewpoint. This former helicopter landing pad offers an incredible view of the city and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - the Cristo Redentor. The almost 40 m high and nearly 100-year-old monument overlooks Rio. We now peer at it from a distance. To our right, we see the Favela of Rio Comprido and the bar district of Lapa, which will be our destinations later in the day.

But first, we head to Santa Teresa, a bohemian artist district with various attractions. Unfortunately, the upcoming holiday blocks our access to the Parque das Ruinas. A large art gallery in an old, imposing mansion.

Continuing our way, we visit the Escaladas Selaron. The steps made of different tiles collected from over 150 countries are the landmark of this neighborhood, which was designed by Jorge Selarón.

Arriving in Lapa, we visit the Catedral de Sao Sebastiao. This car park-like building appears bulky and out of place. However, when we enter, we are surprised by the open design, with resulting pleasant ventilation, and the decorations inside. Dark and colorful at the same time, a Jesus stands above the altar in the center. Over 20,000 people can find a place to sit in the cool air here.

Back to the hostel, this time we take the subway. We buy a ticket and immerse ourselves in the icy metal snake, taking only a few minutes to cross the city - something that usually takes forever by car.

In the afternoon, we meet up with Claus. We got in touch with him through an acquaintance in Uyuni. Claus is a former ZDF correspondent and production manager and speaks perfect German. He grew up in Rio and knows every corner of his city. He takes us to a secluded area behind Cristo. A little walk in the shady rainforest. When we reach the top, we treat ourselves to a cold shower from the mountain spring. Claus tells us a lot about Rio and its inhabitants, and his enthusiasm rubs off on us. Rio is beautiful.

December 23, 2018

We take the first available bus to Paraty. Our Christmas present to ourselves is a dive in Brazil. Beforehand, we take care of all the formalities and travel 5 hours to the resort. Along the way, we even catch a brief glimpse of whales in a bay! Arriving in Paraty, it's pouring rain, so we prefer to spend the day indoors at the hostel. Annika indulges in delicious tropical fruits.

December 24, 2018

Breakfast. And off we go. Paraty Scuba organizes our Christmas dive. Once we arrive on the catamaran, we try on our equipment and start our boat trip. However, after a minute, a hydraulic hose bursts and we have to make a one-hour pit stop. The sky opens up again - but we're going to get wet anyway.

The Ilha dos Ratos is not a destination for technical divers. It's only 10 meters deep, but it offers many colorful underwater inhabitants frolicking around the reef. So we just dive in and enjoy. On the second dive, we circumnavigate the entire island at once.

In the evening, we stroll through the picturesque Paraty and have dinner at a local restaurant with traditional cuisine. We particularly enjoy the Acarajé and the Acai sorbet.

December 25, 2018

Sao Paulo is calling. Our flight is tomorrow and we spend another 6 hours on the bus. The last bus ride of our trip takes us through dense rainforest along picturesque bays.

We don't see much of Sao Paulo. The holidays make it difficult for us to find anything to eat. We spend the night in a 10-person dormitory. No one snores. Lucky us.

December 26, 2018

The day goes by. We use the time to exercise and shop. The flight to Cairo leaves at midnight via Casablanca. We hope to find an airport hotel during the 10-hour layover. Then, by the 28th of December 2018, we should arrive in Egypt and relax over New Year before returning to everyday life. Of course, we are also very much looking forward to seeing everyone back home soon.

And so our journey through South America, after visiting 6 countries, crossing 5 time zones, covering over 10,000 km, spending about 200 hours on buses, and countless impressions and experiences, comes to an end here.

See you soon on another continent.