Christ the Redeemer statue in pictures. From the top clockwise - Bob's Burgers, a Brazilian chain of fast food restaurants has an imaginative wall design in their Rio Airport branch; the Jesus statue reflected in my sister-in-law's sunglasses; the real deal; the real deal being constructed in the late 1920s; "holding" the Jesus statue.

Feliz Ano Novo 2007. Brazilians really know how to celebrate the coming in of the New Year. We had a small gathering at our house and at midnight went out onto the balcony to watch fireworks on the beaches. Despite all the noise, music and general banter in the house Nelsinho slept through it all. When I went out for a walk with him at 5.30am the beach was teeming with people of all ages playing football, volleyball and still enjoying the party having not gone to bed. There will be some sore heads this evening.