Our last day in Brasil was the first day in two weeks that the temperature exceeded 27C (80F). Kathy enthusiastically recommended hang gliding. I admit to being somewhat dubious, but Alice was determined to give it a go. Alas, when we arrived at the usual departure point, the wind was blowing the wrong way for the usual 15 minute flight from a Rio peak to the beach below. However, we were told that the winds would be right in Niterói, across the bay from Rio (a 45 minute drive). Kathy negotiated an arrangement that, for a little more money, would include the ride to Niterói and return to Ipanema. Little did we know when we set out that the winds in Niterói would be so good that we would spend an hour in the air together.
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 Alice and her pilot (on the left) drop into a hanging position and they're flying. |
 Sailing away. The warm breeze against the hillside creates sufficient lift to climb half a mile or so above the takeoff point. |
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 On the beach |
