Feb 17th 2007 - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

We were joined here with another 10 Madventurers. Off today to see the world's tallest statue of the Christ Redeemer that is situated on Corcovado Mountain. We had to travel on a tram to get up to the mountain.
Then we went to the Sugar Loaf mountain and cabled car up to the top and the view there was magnificient.

Samba Parade tonight!!!!! I was dissapointed as out of the group of 15, 3 of us missed out because our costumes were incomplete. Got disqualified by the organisers and could not parade in the Sambadrome. It was pretty disorganised as no one from the school met up with us to tell us what was going on. Some of the other guys were missing some of their attires as well Since I was disqualified, gave all the replacements to the other guys. No point for them to get disqualified as well. Angie was quite upset but hey, I was dissapointed but what's done is done. Maybe the universe intended it to be. We farewelled the rest of the team and I shouted 'break a leg' for encouragment.

The three of us and the guide then proceeded on to the other end of the Sambadrome to greet the team once they completed the parade. The length of the Sambadrome is 1.5km long and was specially built for the Carnivals. We weaved our way thru the ghettos and back streets. I must admit I really enjoyed myself with this unplanned tour of the city. This is quite exciting and I have seen another part of Rio. Even though I wasn't in the Parade, I am still in another area of discovery. We waited for the team to come out and when they did, the euphoria looks on their faces said it all. What an experience!!!!! The team were sad that the three of us couldn't be with them. Regardless of that I was euphoric with them all.