In Rio de Janeiro there is so much to discover!

Yesterday after working on FlutuArte, our floating gallery project at Urca Harbor, we took the honey bee boat out on her maiden voyage and encountered a strange island at the mouth of the Guanabara Bay. The place looked more and more bizarre the closer we got. Our captain told us was an old jail and military fort! He took us closer and we saw that there was a interesting bridge-like structure protruding out from it and as we approached the island we could see that there was a ladder hanging down from it. (!!!)

The island, Fort Stone, courtesy of Google images

Approaching the curious island

Climbing the ladder to the strange bridge of Fort Stone

The entrance to the abandoned jail

We had to investigate so we took turns climbing up the ladder which was swaying back and forth precariously in the wind. We entered the abandoned fort and walked down the creepy, dark, dank corridor which opened up to a large central room that housed all the machinery used to operate the cannons on the top of the fort. We found a decaying staircase that led up to a hole in the ceiling that was giving a little light from far above. We climbed it slowly and carefully in the darkness and it brought us all the way up to the cannons which were shooting out through tunnels that were large enough for us to climb through.

The view from inside

We crawled through the tunnels and onto the top of the fort which was speckled with more cannon pods. This was !%$*^% awesome! I was mega-thrilled and inspired to be on this island standing on top of a historic, abandoned military fort. I could not have asked for a better voyage.

I love Rio de Janeiro!

We are planning to go back to the island for an overnight stay on the next full moon. The captain has agreed to drop us off in the afternoon and pick us up the following morning. Some painting should be done there.

I can’t wait!