How very exciting as for the first time, I recognised Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer on Mt. Corcovado, from the port side on Deck 3, rather early, yesterday morning, Sunday 9th February.A wonderful day was in store!
Approaching Rio De Janeiro, Sunday 9th February. 
That morning saw me prising myself out of bed just after 6 o’clock. The sun came streaming through the gaps in my curtains. Curiosity got the better of me, and a quick peek from my balcony found me gazing across at bits of spectacularly rocky landscape. “Were we here already?” I queried to myself. “This is the approach to Rio de Janeiro…..you are not coming this way again, get up now!” I ordered myself sharply. Thus, I experienced one of the finest approaches by ship to a great city; others include New York, Cape Town, Liverpool and Sydney.
It was becoming increasingly hot out there, and I had two shore excursions booked for that day. The first, from around 10.00 took us around part of the former capital, including the Cathedral, to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain by means of two cable cars.
The second, would be a sunset voyage on a schooner.
For the climb to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain, the weather was warm, dry and clear. Extensive views were afforded from all vantage points.
(Continued after several pictures.)
In and around The Cathedral, including the Bell Tower, part of the morning’s excursion to Sugar Loaf Mountain. 
A pink stretch limousine, and views of and from Sugar Loaf Mountain. 
The “schooner cruise” promised (and delivered) a rare opportunity to see part of Rio De Janeiro from the coast. Sadly, the sunset was obscured by cloud and surrounding hills, but that did not detract from the attractiveness of this idyllic few hours on the water. Local alcoholic drink flowed like the Iguassu Falls we would travel to the next day! There was no need to worry about becoming cold, the temperature remained in the high 20s Celsius through the night.
During and after the schooner cruise.
I had seen much of Rio, or, so I thought, but the plethora of non stop information through an irritatingly loud P.A. system on the coach, was a little too much to absorb, especially on today’s trip which took in Corcovado and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. This was the prelude to Cunard’s eye wateringly expensive “Overland” to Iguassu Falls. These are supposed to be exclusive tours, but for the train ride to the summit of Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer, and a rather hurried buffet lunch which could have been superb, these became hurried and frenetic as our trip was merged with other Cunard day tours, adding to the chaos masses of other visitors would create already.
Christ in the Clouds. Also other views, including, of course, the train!
Despite cloud cover, there were still good views from the summit of Corcovado. Below, pictures of and from the Swiss built train.
Beach views on the way to the airport. 
Now, we are aboard our flight aboard a GOL (Brazilian domestic flight) Boeing 737-800 to Iguassu Falls. Thunderstorms were forecast for Rio, and, as we take off, the sky is leadened, and the rain, heavy. I confess to being slightly nervous!
More news from The Falls later,David.
P.S. The HOTEL DAS CATARATAS, Iguassu Falls, has to be the finest hotel I have ever stayed at. Strange, therefore that after falling into a deep sleep after dinner, I awoke four hours later feeling “fresh” and thus lying awake until time to get up at 05.45 hrs. This is very unlike me! So, it is now 05.40 hrs, awaiting the dreaded wake up call five minutes from now, for what promises to be another extremely exciting day.
David.
More later!
David's Cruise 