最後更新／Last Updated：2023-11-01
The bus system in Rio de Janeiro often left me confused. Buses shown on Google Maps often did not match the ones at the bus stops. Sometimes, buses that were not even listed on the stop would appear. This confusion eventually led me to choose an Uber to Tijuca National Park, setting the stage for a memorable adventure.
In Brazil, English is not commonly spoken. Throughout the ride, my driver and I had already given up on communicating. He focused on driving while I kept an eye on the map. The vast expanse of the national park made it difficult to locate the trailhead, and before I realized it, my mobile signal had disappeared. The Uber driver kept glancing back at me, making hand gestures and speaking in Portuguese, hinting that the car could go further up. Eventually, his phone lost its signal. That's when I began to feel uneasy.
"Where is he taking me?"
"Why isn't there anyone around?"
"Is he going to kidnap me?"
The car eventually reached an altitude of 700 meters, a point where vehicles could not proceed any further. I could only guess what the driver was thinking: "Most people come here to hike uphill. Why does this person want to start from the top?"
For the first half hour, there wasn't a soul in sight; only the sounds of nature. It wasn't until I descended to about 500 meters that I finally found a well-trodden path intended for hikers. A sense of safety washed over me. It was only then that I could truly relax and immerse myself in the breathtaking beauty of the national park.
Tijuca National Park Estr. da Cascatinha, 850