Part of my preparations for my upcoming travel, I always do some advance research and readings: read some blogs, search for tips and try to weigh down reviews from other travelers as well. While finalizing my itinerary, I always check and double check if my schedules are well laid out, no time conflicts and should provide enough time in between activities. This will help me manage my time properly; this will also avoid idle time while on travel. As I’ve said in my previous post, I always join group tours to get the most out of the place.
I opted to join the tour granting early access to Christ the Redeemer though I had a tour a day before on the Sugar Loaf Mountain that comes with a package that includes the Christ the Redeemer. Why I didn’t join that? Christ the Redeemer is world renowned one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and Rio de Janeiro is also favorite for tourists, so you should always expect crowds flocking the area. If I joined the other day’s package wherein they are going to the statue in the afternoon, I will have to join with the large crowds and as expected, pictures with lots of people and that is my real reason, to avoid such crowd that i cannot have a good chance of taking pictures with the statue.
As I read the tour with an early access, it was emphasized that we are beating the crowd and should be there 15-30 minutes prior to the first train arrival. The only difference is, to get there early, we must leave our hotels early as well. I was instantly interested when I read the reviews that you can really beat the crowd; having the place as your own, with freedom to take photos without photo bombers.
My scheduled pick-up time is at 7:10am (not that early). I booked it online with www.viator.com and the service was done by Amigo Tours in Rio de Janeiro. The pick-up service was on time and we’re ready to go. We drove straight to the Corcovado Mountain going to the ticketing station. After taking our tickets, we transferred to another van, Tijuca Forest Park’s van to take us to the statue. When we arrived at the place, we are one of the few people enjoying the place; those who drove straight same with us also.
We own the place for the first 20 minutes. We had all the corners for photo opportunities. Even the viewing deck where you can have the panoramic view of the city is still available and vacant. We took several selfies and our guide offered her photography skills taking us pictures one by one on the statue. We really had a great time.
After we had all those photos, the first train arrived, the crowd started to flock the area. It’s true that when you are with the crowd, you’ll going to be haggling for photo opportunities. Lots of people come together, not enough space for a good view of the statue. Oh well, I still enjoyed being with the crowd for quite a few minutes and in fact I took pictures of them as well. Then I returned back to the meeting place taking the stairs going down. Lots of souvenir shops along the way, though for me it’s a bit pricey, yet it’s the thought that I bought it on site really counts. I just bought few little things and two rosaries. I was thinking of buying the replica of the statue since our guide told us that whatever the materials made with the original statue is the same with the replica that the shop was selling. What made me decide not to buy it’s because I’ll be going to Peru for a week and I am afraid I will just broke it into pieces while on travel and I still have enough time to scout for souvenirs when I’m back in Rio after a week.
It was a nice trip; it was worth all the effort to go there early. Being there early gives us a nice weather as well, not with the striking heat of the sun. Cold breeze from the forest, you’ll feel fresh since it’s still early.
We went back to the park’s van for them to take us back to our van waiting at the ticketing station. The views along the way are impressive. We can pass by the Tijuca rainforest which as per our guide was once rehabilitated due to drought in the city. A bit of history was shared by our guide, I cannot remember it all but it’s so nice knowing how it was before and how it became what it is now. The area of the Christ the Redeemer statue was once a frequented area by the Emperor (not quite sure of the term but a thought of a high ruler of Brazil). And when Portuguese came as a symbol of Christianity, the Christ the Redeemer statue was built.
Another access to the Christ the Redeemer statue is by train. It is said to transport passengers from ground station to the top for 20 minutes and the train departs every 20 minutes as well, and operating daily from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. Due to limited capacity, considering the number of tourists who wants to go to the park, sometimes waiting in line in order to get on board the train will take an hour or two. It will be a sacrifice but I guarantee you, it’s all worth it.
Ending my trip with a drop off at my hotel.
Been here: August 10, 2015
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