Corcovado

Cristo Redemptor Okay, whether you believe in the guy or not, you gotta admit this is one helluva sculpture. In fact, it is the largest art deco (completed 1931) sculpture in existence at 30 meters high.

I mean, look at all that scaffolding!!

From the base of the sculpture, you get these amazing panoramic views of all of Rio. Please excuse the muted background--it's a foggy oceanside city. Sound familiar?

The sculpture was built atop the tallest granite mount rising above the Tijuca National Forest. The forest is entirely second and third growth as the old growth had been levelled in order to plant coffee farms. Beautiful, nonetheless.

Poor Burr! He's been struggling with the heat and humidity. Broke out in some hives, got mild heat stroke, made him inconsolable--so much so, he turned into Carranca. Luckily, we are able to refresh him with one of his favorites here in Rio, Skol beer... Copacobana, looking towards Sugarloaf (right) and Ipanema (below).