Sugar Loaf

Today started with a serious beach session. Every book I've read on Rio says to leave all your valuables (absolutely everything) behind when you head to the beach, so no pictures of Ipanema today. I'm hoping to catch the sunset there tomorrow though so there will be pictures!

After the beach we took the metro to the Flamengo neighborhood and walked to Sugar Loaf, the famous sheer mountain that has cable cars running to the top. We hiked the first peak, then took the tram the rest of the way (you need rock climbing gear for the second stretch--I'm fresh out of that). We stayed for the sunset (around 6:30 here). The view was unbelievable.

After a quick change at the hostel we went to a Brazilian steakhouse (churrascaria). There are a few chains in the states (Fogo de chao comes to mind) with similar deals--you leave your chip on green and they fill your plate with ever meat imaginable off a carving skewer, then when you're stuffed you turn it to red and they stop giving you food. I ate a lot. There was also sushi and a salad bar. So much good food.

Rio continues to be amazing. It looks like there may be a soccer match tomorrow, come back for more!