We only had one thing on the agenda for our final day, and it was the perfect ending to our stay in Rio de Janeiro. The Christ the Redeemer statue was what put Rio on my radar years ago. I saw a picture of this massive statue atop this hill and all of a sudden Rio was beckoning me. Roaming through the city, you regularly catch glimpses of it, and that helped to build my excitement. The experience starts as soon as the tram begins to ascend the hill, navigating its way through lush greenery with occasional breaks in the trees, giving you a beautiful, sweeping view of the city. Occasional stops to let the other tram pass also gave men and women along the route the chance to sell you a cold bottle of water (Respect the hustle!). Then you arrive, and it was everything I imagined it to be.I have to admit I shed a tear, or two, or maybe three. Setting my eyes on this statue was proof that I made it. I wanted this, and I made it happen, and I couldn’t have planned a more perfect culmination. I spent a good amount of time at the Christ the Redeemer statue. Walking around it. Staring up at it in awe. Stepping into the chapel they have on the site. When it was time to go, I had a hard time pulling myself away, but I comforted myself by reminding myself that I’ll be back. As we boarded the tram and began our descent downhill, I was filled to the brim with joy. Day after day Rio showed me why it’s a destination atop everyone’s list, and I can’t wait to return to discover all that I left behind. But until then, this was the perfect exclamation point at the end of a beautifully written sentence.

9 Comments
Gretchen
September 6, 2017 at 6:08 AMI have long wanted to visit Rio just to see this magnificent statue. You’ve given me new incentive to pursue this further.
Tessa
January 25, 2016 at 12:28 PMGreat post Sanura! Your writing brings it to life for me. Brazil is on my list and yes I agree Christ the Redeemer is ‘must see’ for me. As a football fan the other would be the Maracana (my father wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t) 🙂
Keep the great posts coming.
Sanura
January 26, 2016 at 9:35 AMThank you so much Tessa! The next time I’m in Rio I would LOVE to catch a game at Maracanã Stadium. I can’t say I’m normally a football fan but something tells me, in that setting, it would be an UNFORGETTABLE experience!
Sanley
January 15, 2016 at 6:34 AMI love your pictures and your style of writing. It looks like you had a lot of fun! #BLMgirl
Sanura
January 16, 2016 at 12:01 PMThank you so much Sanley! I had SO much fun and thank you for reading 🙂
Rio-Jay
January 14, 2016 at 1:18 PMAh, I can’t wait to visit Rio, hopefully in 2017 for carnival!
You have me excited just by looking at your pictures lol x
Sanura
January 16, 2016 at 12:01 PMCarnivale sounds like an amazing time to visit! Now you have my wheels turning! LOL Maybe I’ll see you there! 🙂
Joanna
January 12, 2016 at 6:39 AMGreat pics! I so can’t wait to go to Brazil. A friend of mine is planning a trip for her bday next year.
Sanura
January 12, 2016 at 6:52 PMThank you! Go as soon as you can! You’ll love it!