Original subtitles

(soft whoosh)

(upbeat music)

- Our journey begins

at the Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Barra,

guarding the entrance to Guanabara Bay.

On the north side of the bay is Niteroi,

and a futuristic art museum,

designed by one of Brazil's greatest architects.

More than 130 islands dock the inner bay,

and Paqueta, is one of the most popular,

and home to 4000 people.

Overlooking Guanabara Bay,

are the Serra dos Orgaos Mountains,

the rock climbing capital of Brazil.

Crossing the bay to Rio, we take a night flight

over the exuberant Carnival,

a dazzling array of costumes and elaborate floats.

The next day, we explore Rio, with its glorious beaches,

leading to the bustling city center.

And finally, we approach a giant statue

that makes where we are truly unmistakable.

The iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer,

overlooks Guanabara Bay,

at one of the most distinctive cities in the world.

The Bay was discovered on the first day

of the first month of 1502,

thus giving the city on its southern shore,

the name January river, Rio de Janeiro.

At the entrance to the harbor

is the impressive Sugarloaf Mountain.

And on the opposite side,

stretching deep into the mouth of the bay

is the formidable Fortaleza de Santa Cruz da Barra.

(tense music)

Originally built in 1555,

the fortress served as the principal line of defense

for the city of Rio during both colonial and imperial times.

During the 18th century, this fortress boasted 44 cannons

and could deliver vicious crossfire,

together with three other strongholds in the bay,

rendering Guanabara virtually impregnable.

After 400 years of service,

Fortaleza de Santa Cruz da Barra,

fired its final shot in 1955.

But the Brazilian army's first divisional artillery group

is still garrisoned here today.

(tense music)

The fortress offers tours of the historic facility

every hour, welcoming 2000 visitors every month.

The city of Netroi, sits opposite Rio

and fronts Guanabara Bay.

And standing prominently on a headland

is the futuristic Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum.

Hovering precariously on the side of a cliff

and cutting us silhouette, not unlike a UFO,

the museum was designed by famed Brazilian architect,

Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1996.

(soft music)

The space age cylindrical museum,

has a diameter of 50 meters,

and is encircled at its base by an 817 square meter

reflecting pool named Boa Viagem,

Meaning bon vogage.

A swirling red carpeted 98 metre long ramp,

extends from the museum like a tunnel,

leading visitors inside.

With large windows in the circular promenade,

allow for panoramic views of the bay.

The unmistakable architecture of the museum

has set the city of Niteroi, firmly on the tourist map.

Every day there is travel between Niteroi and Rio,

carrying commuters as well as tourists.

The journey takes about 20 minutes,

and the service runs from around five in the morning

to 11 at night.

As a tourist, it's best to avoid rush hour,

as the ferries can be very crowded.

The Rio-Niteroi bridge is one of the longest

box girder prestress bridges in the world,

and the only one of any type across Guanabara Bay.

It's more than 13 kilometers long,

and rises 72 meters above the water,

to allow the passage of large ships.

It's also heavily used particularly during rush hour.

Around 140,000 vehicles cross this bridge every day.

Many of the ships passing under the bridge

are gas tankers on their way to the floating gas terminal

located in the bay.

This facility can handle 14 million cubic meters of gas

per day.

The oil terminal sits on two small islands

where ships can load and unload with underwater pipes

transferring the oil from storage tanks on the mainland.

In the year 2000, one of these pipes fractured

and released over a million liters of oil

into the bay with catastrophic results.

It has taken over 10 years for the Bay's ecology to recover.

More than 130 islands speckle this natural habour,

one of them is Paqueta Island.

(bright guitar music)

Though it's considered a district of Rio,

it's actually worlds away from the bustle of the big city.

Here, bicycles and horse drawn carriages

have largely replaced motor vehicles,

giving the island a charming old fashioned feel.

Despite its size of only 1.2 square kilometers,

it has around 4000 permanent residents,

mostly from families whose ties to the island

go back generations.

These days the islands income is mainly from tourism,

with many daytrippers keen to explore

the town's wonderfully preserved colonial heritage,

or perhaps, simply spend a lazy day on the beach.

On the north side of the bay,

is the central Rio de Janeiro Atlantic Forest Mosaic,

comprising adjoining and overlapping protected areas.

They extent to the conservation area

includes 14 municipalities,

such as here at Mage on the edge of the bay.

It's coordinated by the National Council

of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve,

and now protects nearly 300,000 hectares of natural forest.

Overlooking Guanabara Bay,

are the Serra dos Oragos Mountains,

the rock climbing capital of Brazil.

The parks name translates as organ mountains,

given to the range by Portuguese settlers,

who believed the unusually shaped peaks

looked like the pipes of an organ.

The most famous of these unique summits

resembles a left hand pointing towards the sky,

and is called the Finger of God.

Known to locals as Dedo de Deus,

this rock pinnacle was once declared unclimbable

but was conquered in 1912 by local climbers.

As we can see with this typical Brazilian traffic jam,

the park is a very popular place to visit at weekends.

As dusk begins to settle over the bay,

and silhouettes Sugarloaf Mountain,

we head back towards the airport to refuel,

before returning to Rio city center

for a spectacular nighttime event, famous around the world.

Under the watchful gaze of Christ the Redeemer,

we head towards the Sambadrome, a purpose built venue,

enabling thousands to see quite possibly

the most colorful Carnival to be seen anywhere.

Welcome to the greatest party on Earth.

(bright samba music)

The Carnival we know today began as a working class

festivity in 1872.

By the 1960s, the parade had exploded

into a world famous event.

(bright samba music)

People from every corner of the city

gather here in the shared spirit of fearless exuberance.

The revelry goes on for hours,

and the competition is fierce.

(bright samba music)

With tens of thousands of dancers

and a dazzling array of costumes and elaborate floats,

this spectacle is Rio's declaration

that life must be lived with passion and joy.

(bright samba music)

Before we can explore the city of Rio,

we have to join the queue of other helicopters,

flying personnel out to the gas and oil rigs

from Jacarepagua Airport

It was upgraded in 2007 to cope with the increased traffic

of both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

(helicopter engine roaring)

In front of us is the granite peak of Pedra da Gavea,

which offers some of the best views

of Rio's dramatic setting.

Visitors can also enjoy the lush fragrances

of lemon and orange trees wafting up

from the surrounding forests.

Pedra de Gavea meaning rock of the topsoil,

was named in 1501 by Portuguese explorers.

At 842 meters, it was an ideal place

to watch for incoming ships.

The rock looms over Sao Conrado beach.

(soft piano music)

The surrounding hills and peaks

provide ideal loop sites for hang gliders.

Overlooking this affluent seaside town, is Rocinha Favela,

the largest low income neighborhood in Rio.

Once plagued by crime and violence,

recent changes in law enforcement and peacekeeping

have made Rocinha, a safer place for its 200,000 residents.

(soft music)

One of the best examples of a slum

undergoing urban renewal is Vidigal Favela.

The neighborhood is reinventing itself

on the heels of new policing policies.

Due to its spectacular position,

an influx of European and American buyers

are trickling into the favela,

and bringing with them a burgeoning tourist trade.

This two kilometer stretch of white sand

has been immortalized in the popular song

which bears its name "The Girl From Ipanema."

Contrary to general belief though, the song written in 1962,

actually refers to the entire neighborhood,

as well as the beach itself.

Ipanema is one of the most expensive places to live in Rio,

and private investment has led to the building

of upmarket restaurants, shops and hotels.

But it's the world famous beach,

that draws the many surfers and the sun worshipers,

who socialize daily on the sand.

Every Sunday, the roadway closest to the beach

is closed to motor vehicles,

allowing local residents and tourists to ride bikes,

roller skates, skateboards,

and enjoy the various activities on the beach.

Ipanema is said to be the birthplace of the bossa nova,

one of the best known Brazilian styles of music,

which became a household name in the 1950s and '60s

when the world learned about it,

but the hit song, "The Girl From Ipanema."

Behind The beach is Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas,

Behind the luxury condos,

This lagoon was selected to host the rowing and canoe events

for the 2016 Olympics.

Here, the sound of pounding hoofbeats

has echoed across the water for nearly a century.

The Jockey Club Brasileiro,

is home to the country's most prestigious race,

the Grand Prix of Brazil, an annual event since 1933.

(upbeat music)

Rio is also home to one of the greatest

tropical botanical gardens in the world.

Located in Tijuka National Park,

this protected area features

more than 5500 species of plants,

showcasing the beauty of Brazil.

(guitar music interlude)

At the eastern end of Ipanema Beach,

is a small headland and a century old fortification,

Copacabana Fort, which was completed in 1914.

Although it never saw much action,

it was a site of the revolt of the 18.

In 1922, a band of 18 revolutionaries

who controlled the fort, faced off against 3000 troops.

Today, it's a much loved visitor attraction.

The fort separates Ipanema Beach

from another world famous one,

and quite possibly even more popular, Copacabana.

With its hot, bustling beach by day

and the pulsating rhythms

emanating from the dance clubs at night,

this three square kilometers of densely packed hotels,

restaurants and apartments, is the place to be seen.

The most desirable property fronts the Avenida Atlantica,

which runs the entire length

of the near four kilometer beach.

Perhaps the most important event held here

is the largest New Year's Eve party in Brazil,

where the whole street is full of party guys.

(samba music interlude)

At the end of Copacabana,

lies one of Rio's most iconic natural landmarks,

the imposing Sugarloaf Mountain.

It was formed when the soft rock eroded over time,

leaving behind this striking granite peak.

(bright samba music)

By far the best way to appreciate

a 360 degree view of Rio and the bay,

is to take a three minute cable car ride up to the very top.

From here the view is magnificent.

(drumbeats music)

More than 37 million visitors

have enjoyed breathtaking sights

since the first car crossed the span in 1912.

With room for 65 passengers, the Sugarloaf cable car

is considered one of the safest in the world.

Sailing and motor boating in Guanabara Bay,

are popular pastimes.

And Praia de Botafogo is a sheltered bay and home

to several boat clubs, as well as beaches for swimming.

The bay was also the site

of the 2016 Olympic sailing competitions.

Ironically, it's some of Rio's poorest neighborhoods

that have the best view of the bay,

and also provide picturesque views themselves.

Perched on the hillside is the Santa Marta Favela.

Many of the buildings have been painted

with bright colors and creative designs,

giving Santa Marta a unique identity,

and instilling a new sense of pride

in the favela's 6000 inhabitants.

At the heart of the city is Zona Norte,

the financial district and historic center of Rio.

This is a modern city with an eclectic mix

of architectural styles.

One structure stands, out among the rest,

the Catedral Metropolitana.

The Diocese of San Sebastian, was founded in 1676,

but never had its own Cathedral.

It took some 300 years for that to change,

and construction began in 1964.

The structure rises 75 meters,

and holds a standing crowd of 20,000.

The unique design pays tribute

to the region's Mayan heritage.

(tense music)

Next to the cathedral is the Arcos da Lappa,

one of the few remnants of the colonial era.

(tense music)

These arches, completed in 1750, once served as an aqueduct.

Spanning 270 meters, it was subsequently converted

for use as a tramway.

A lively street party takes place each week

under the arches and in the surrounding piazza.

(tense music)

Rio embraces its identity as a modern city,

but among the gleaming high rises,

there are more traces of the past.

This Greek Revival structure,

is home to the National Library, largest in Latin America.

More than 9 million items are contained in its collection.

In 1810, the library moved to its current location,

a century later, in 1910.

(tense music)

Another striking reminder of Rio's past,

is the municipal theater.

Designed in the eclectic style,

the stately neoclassical columns and dome top

were inspired by the Paris Opera.

Before construction began in 1909,

a design competition was held.

In an unusual turn of events,

the first and second place winners combined their designs

to create the magnificent structure we see today.

It was the most expensive theater built outside of Europe,

at the time.

(soft music) (airplane engine roaring)

Santos Dumont Airport was built

in the first half of the 20th century

and constructed on reclaimed landfill.

It was the city's busiest airport right up

until the 1950s.

Due to its short runways,

the airport caters for smaller short haul jets,

and is favored by business travelers.

(plane engine roaring)

As a result of the Olympics in 2016,

Rio has enjoyed increased international attention.

And for visitors to the city,

there's never a shortage of sites to explore,

including some of Rio's historic churches,

like this fine example from the 18th century.

The gleaming limestone tower was said to renew hope

in weary sailors as they approached the city.

Another is the Igreja de Sao Francisco da Penitencia.

Limestone imported from Portugal

was used to create the crisp white facade

of this late 17th century church.

Its builders couldn't possibly have imagined

its present setting.

(opera music)

Fronting the bay is the monastery of Sao Bento,

a much loved historic site.

Founded in 1590, it stands as a fine example

of colonial architecture.

(opera music)

The Igreja da Candelaria was established

by a wealthy ship captain, who vowed to build it

after surviving a dangerous storm at sea.

At one time, this ornate masterpiece

was the largest and wealthiest church in Imperial Brazil.

We now head west across the city,

to the 19th century, neoclassical Saint Christopher Palace.

The grand estate was built by a wealthy colonists in 1803.

And today, it houses the oldest scientific institution

in Brazil, the National Museum, founded in 1818.

The estate is located in Quinta da Boa Vista,

which literally means, park with a nice view,

and features 155 square meters of English style gardens.

At the parks edge, we find a palace of a different sword,

one dedicated to the pursuit of victory.

The Estadio de Maracana,

was built to host the 1950 FIFA World Cup.

At that time, it was the largest stadium in the world.

The arena hosted a massive crowd of 200,000,

the highest attendance ever recorded

in the history of soccer.

The Maracana is still the biggest stadium in Brazil.

And in 2014, it came full circle

as a setting for the World Cup final.

It's smaller neighbor is Maracanãzinho Gymnasium.

It was opened in 1954, and today serves

as the city's multipurpose arena.

And finally, we approach the giant figure

that makes where we are truly unmistakable.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer.

(upbeat music)

This is one of the most recognizable man-made landmarks,

as well as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

(upbeat music)

It stands nearly 40 meters tall,

and the figure's arms stretch 28 meters from tip to tip.

The idea for a monument was first introduced in 1850,

but it wasn't until the 1920s that interest was revived.

Once construction commenced,

it took almost a decade to complete.

And in 1931 the largest art deco statue in the world,

was officially unveiled.

(bright music)

For nearly 90 years, Christ's outstretched hands

have welcomed everyone who lives,

works and visits Rio de Janeiro,

and around Guanabara Bay.

Rio is one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities

in the world, and a perfect place to end this journey.

(upbeat music)