Rio de Janeiro

Jun 24-26, 2016
UA129 IAH-GIG, UA128 GIG-IAH

With the 2016 Olympics just a few months away, we wanted to get a preview of the sporting venues.  We had been in Beijing just prior to the 2008 Olympics and enjoyed the opportunity to get the lay of the land before we watched on TV.  With the Olympics, there were a number of new hotels including a Hyatt that put us in a different part of the city.  In addition to the sporting venues, we checked out a park and beach south west of the city.  Although we were continually mindful of our safety, we had an uneventful trip and enjoyed the pleasant weather.

Jun 25

After our overnight flight to Rio, we get to the hotel in time for a late breakfast and then spend the day exploring the area and finding our way into the Olympics construction site.

Looking across Marapendi Lagoon from the hotel balcony

Praia da Reserva beach near hotel

Catching an Uber we make it to Prainha

Watching the surfers over beer at Prainha 

Walking our way back up the coast towards the hotel

Pedro do Pontal island from the beach at Rico Point

Looking back up the coast from Rico Point

Tennis Center at Barra Olympic Park 

Rio Olympic Arena used for Gymnastics

Rio Olympic Velodome

Back at the hotel, the sunset view from our balcony

Jun 26

After seeing all of the sites that we wanted to see on Saturday, we had a very low key day around the resort.

Sunrise over Marapendi Lagoon

Looking east towards Rio

After a relaxing afternoon, we take an Uber to the airport and take the overnight flight to Houston, and Tom continues onto Toronto.