Sunday March 8, 2015 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sunday March 8, 2015 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

We slept until 8:30 – I think we were tired.  We went to the Executive Lounge for coffee at 10:30 but they still had the breakfast buffet out so we had a light breakfast.

We took a car from the JW and went to the Botanical Gardens – it was beautiful.  Trees, small animals, orchids, waterfalls, etc.  It was beautifully maintained and there were lots of people there walking around.  It was supposed to rain today but everyone is enjoying the outside.  We ran into a couple from the ship and talked to them for a while.

Beautiful tree-lined lanes at the entrance to the Botanical Gardens in Rio

Another selfie at the Botanical Gardens in Rio

Beautiful plants, fountains, and Christ the Redeemer in the distance on the hill

Better shot of Christ the Redeemer

Beautiful gazebos, vines and statues

Lily pond

Interesting structure that housed the orchids

Inside the orchid room

We saw this interesting creature roaming around the grounds near us

A building full of ground cover plants

Beautiful colors

Nice pathways throughout the gardens - and fortunately with lots of benches to rest

More tree-lined lanes heading back to the exit

Christ the Redeemer in the distance

Statues to recognize lots of different people throughout the gardens

Selfie at the waterfall

Pretty waterfall

Waterfall

Last look at Christ the Redeemer as we left the gardens

Back to the hotel to relax by the pool with Sugarloaf in the distance

Tim waiting for lunch to come!

Our view of Copacabana Beach from the JW Marriott

A late afternoon walk on Copacabana Beach

Lots of people still on the beach and playing volleyball

They closed one lane along Copacabana Beach on Sunday and people were everywhere

One lane of traffic on Sunday

Another view of Copacabana Beach from the JW Marriott pool deck

 

We got back to the JW and went to the rooftop pool and had lunch and read.  We relaxed until late afternoon and then took a great walk on the very wide Copacabana Beach.  The water was so cold but everyone was having a good time.  The beach has been packed every time we have been there.

We went to the Lounge for a coffee, showered and dressed for dinner.   We stopped back in the Lounge for a cocktail before leaving for our 8 pm reservation at Giuseppe Grill, recommended by the concierge.  Dinner was good but not exceptional like last night.  We ran into 2 couples from the ship having dinner there.

We got a taxi and headed back to the JW.  We have an early morning so we went to bed.