Oi! That is Hi in Portugeese. Sorry we have not posted sooner. I can only get photos off the Cannon and some of the good shots are on the Sony. I can't wait any longer to share so here is what I have.

DAY 3. We loaded into the van around noon and headed to Corcovado to ride the cograil tram up to Cristo, Christ the Reedemer statue. We drove into Rio, past the favelas, which are so interesting, I am starting to see the apeal in taking a tour, though I have no intention. Zack was complaining that his ear lobe hurt, so we put some aloe andhad him wear a hat all day for extra sun protection. We rode up the cog rail, they have a samba band play along and many tropical plants line the ride up. You can't see what's coming at all. You get to the top, ride up an elevator and walkout and there is the back of Christ. I have to admit, it was not as dramatic to walk out and look at his back as it would be to walk out and be greated by open arms, but we were learning that though tourismo is a big business, they have some oportunities to ceatch upon. We ate lunch at the top, Jack chose the tropical fruit plate, Ishould have taken a photo. The fruit is AMAZING here! But there was no English menu, no enlish speaking folks. I realize Isound like an American snob, but don't you think at possibly the largest touristattraction there would be some other languages available? I was surprised, but it was no big deal, the bigger deal was Zack's growing unhappiness. You all know my sweet Zack is not the captain of the "suck it up and deal" team.... he doesn't even play in that statium. Hmmmmm I wondered, was he just hot and stuck schlepping through tourist stuff or was there something up? Kayla thought the statue was very cool. But the highlight for the kids was the lizard hanging on the edge post. We came down and took adrive along Ipanema and Copacabanna. HOLY HANNAH! These beaches are HUDGE and wall to wall bodies and umbrellas. There is a cute flea market I hope to revisit. Rio is a city, yet on an amazing beach. It's like city chic meets beach bum (and I mean beach bum in these bikini's!)
When we got home, me and my pal google descided that Zack has swimmers ear, not a surprise since he has hardly gotten out of the pool. So, as Carrie predicted I would, I called Erik back home who prescribed a cocktail of viniger and rubbing alcohol for Zacks ear. We called our people here at the house, and they actually called the local PEDI who sent us ear drops and ear numbing stuff. Between the drops and some pain relief Zack has made a full recovery today which is highlighted with the monkey's today playing in the yard that he is determined to ceatch!
OK, I have been inside way too long..... back to the pool. Love to all! H, A, Z, K.

Zack hatched a great plan, with a rope and a dozen banannas he was going to get himself a monkey! Here hed feeds our little friends banannas.

Look closely, the big monkey in the foreground is actually a mommy with two teeny tiny babies attached to her back.

The beach at Iticotiara. This was day 2, slow on the photo up load.