May 2006

OK here it is, we finally got off our arses to write this thing! Rio, Brazil what can we say fantastic city. It has everything; world famous beaches, mountains, immense greenery and the most diverse split of economies weve ever seen. The world famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacobanna dont dissapoint except you cant sit on Copacobanna because of the sewage outlets that flow freely onto the beach (a common problem in Brazil) and the water at Ipanema is so treacherous you cant go in it. Apart from that they are stunning. The statue of Christ was incredible (smaller than we imagined) even if he was covered in cloud the day we saw him!! However, one of us (Erika)was not too peturbed by missing out on the stunning views of the city below as you can imagine! Sugar Loaf Mountain was yet another day to test my nerves with TWO cable car rides just to get up there. The views were amazing {but my feet looked good enough to me) However, I have to agree that the views from the top were incredible and we spent a couple of hours up there just soaking it all up and trying to get my land legs back again! On our way down we took a helicopter ride over the city, along the beaches and round the statue of JC who decided to pop his head out of the clouds for us and Chris took some amazing pictures. For those of you who dont know these pictures along with our camera are now in a Favella (slum) somewhere in Rio as the following day we had our bag with camera stolen.Lifes a bitch but you will all have to imagine how good the pics were instead. The following day and the Favella tour was probably the highlight of our entire stay in Rio. Commencing with a Motorbike ride to the top of the hill where the extremely poor of Rio live and continuing with a guided walk down through the sewage ridden main street of these peoples lives was really quite something. It was the one place and time I think we will both agree that we actually felt completely safe in this city. We saw an art studio by locals and bought a fantastic painting which will hopefully arrive par avion, we had fantastic chocolate cake in a local shop, bought bracelets off the local kids and finally went to the ever expanding nursery which 60% of the tour money funds where we were just blown away by kids literally crawling all over you. It was like a tiny piece of CLEAN haven for these few kids in this filth ridden hell hole. Very nice to see even if we couldnt wait to get in the shower when we got home! They really should say on their fliers that closed toe shoes should be worn!
After Rio we headed south for Florianopolis and the tiny Isle de Santa Catarina which is famous for nothing more than its beauty and beaches. The 1st beach Ingleses had the same sewage problem but we both felt the Health and Safety Executive could do a roaring trade in Brazil as there are ALWAYS food outlets either side of the flowing sewage! Anyway we eventually found the little haven of Barra de Lagoa which was the most stunning, little fishing village where local kids ran round bare foot carrying fish nearly as big as them. Lets just say if you werent carrying a fish you were a tourist. And all this just in the harbour, we then wailked round the corner to the stunning white sand, horse shoe beach where surfing is prolific and spent a most relaxing day soaking up the rays!
Moving on another 18 hour overnite bus journey (not as bad as they sound with reclining seats, pillows and blankets and in Argentina even meals and wine served by a steward) to Iguazu Falls at the border with Argentina and Paraguay. We spent one day on the Brazil side seeing the sights and being harrassed by Coatis (look it up!) who will pinch your food straight off your tray still in its wrapper as we saw happen to one woman. We crossed the border to Argentina on 8th May. We even got a smile off the customs officials and the bus driver waited to make sure we all got back on the bus. Now thats what I call service!
The falls were far more impressive from the Argentinian side but then they do have the lions share. We got a disposable camera for this as we have still not replaced ours yet but if any of the people who have promised to email us there pictures deliver, we wont be dissapointed, we might even be in some of them.
As Im sure you can all tell the grammar buttons arent working too well on this keyboard but its free internet hence the need for speed so I think we should leave it there for now as Im probably as bored as you are now!
Adios for now.
I cant believe I forgot to say and I cant believe Chris hasnt snatched the keyboard out of my hands - the people in Brazil particularly Rio are absolutely stunning. Every other girl was a jaw dropper and the blokes werent far behind. They make Giselle look ordinary as there are so many of her just walking down the street! And the world renowned Brazilian bikini didnt fail to impress eiher!