Experienced travelers can always find inexpensive ways to catch magnificent views of a place from the water. In New York City, for instance, riding with the daily commuters on The Staten Island Ferry is one of the best deals around--absolutely free! And the Statue of Liberty is on full view.
In my home town of Vancouver, the Sea Bus crossing over the Burrard Inlet from downtown to the North Shore, while not entirely free, is also worth the few bucks it costs for the spectacular view of the Coast Mountains.
In Rio del Janeiro, we discovered the joys and convenience of riding the ferry which runs every 20 minutes between Rio and the suburb of Nitoeri (where there happens to be a thriving Maple Bear school, which was our ultimate destination.)
For much less than the cost of crossing over by car or by bus on the world´s second largest bridge--the Rio-Niteroi Bridge--the ferry ride begins with these lovely gents before boarding the sleek looking ferry for a ride that lasts about 15 minutes:
The view as you step off the ferry! Not bad, eh?
And then step into the sleek terminal designed by the famous Brazilian architecht Oscar Niemeyer, most noted for his design of the Brazilian capital of Brasilia.
As a short excursion, for visitors this mode of transport can't be beat!
