Travel with Indigo

Rio de Janeiro from the sea is one of the great sights. Sugarloaf Mountain, the Corcavado with the giant statue of Christ on top, miles of stunning beaches, volcanic rocky islands around its natural harbor, all make this a truly world class city. Entering at mid-day, we easily locate the marina, situated right in the heart of the city and well protected both from the sea and from the many criminals who ply their trade here. On a ride through town, I’m impressed with the many large parks, interior lakes, biking paths, and especially the tree lined streets. It is a far more beautiful place than any city we have visited yet.

Still Rio has some issues. Rampant street crime, corruption (this is Latin America), and wrenching poverty stain the otherwise premier city. It has, alongside its beauty, the world’s largest favela, basically a ghetto of squatters living in hovels with festering crime and drug use. Copacabana Beach, where tourists who don’t know better like to flock, is a haven for prostitutes, pickpockets and hold up artists, notwithstanding that the Copacabana Palace Hotel, a five star world class hotel, is there. Knowing travelers instead go to Ipanema Beach, just down the road. At both, cops are everywhere, armed to the teeth. Only a few weeks ago, a tourist was knifed to death in broad daylight on Copa beach. More on Rio later.