Beaches and Favelas
Woke up to views of Copacabana Beach today and gorgeous sunshine. Today was a free day but 8 of my group plus myself and a Brazilian local Guide started the day with a drive around Rio in an open topped jeep. Great first impressions of this buzzing city. The Olympic logo is still everywhere which adds to the flavour.
Our destination was one of the many Favelas in Rio – over half the population of Rio – that’s 3 million people – live in the Favelas. The word Favela these days means shanty town or slum but actually comes from the name of a tree. At the end of the 1800’s government soldiers lived among the Favela trees on one of Rio’s many hills. After the war they weren’t paid so stayed on the hill and named it “Moro da Favela”.
Nowadays there are many Favelas around this huge city.
The Favela we visited is government controlled and a safe place to visit.Some Favelas are still run by drug lords so would be a no go area for us.
The views were amazing but we will get the best views tomorrow from Sugarloaf and the day after tomorrow from Christ the Redeemer.
Interesting morning and the living conditions seemed ok compared to those in the slums of Mumbai. They need an electrician though. And the houses were crammed close together with tiny alley ways and no green area or space.The favela is like a small town within a town and most people who live here, also work here. This Favela has a population of around 200,000 though the government say the population is 90,000.
Next was Ipanema beach and a walk back to Copacabana beach where our hotel is situated.
Had a relaxing afternoon on the beach.