Alex's turn today!

Fio dental (dental floss skimpies!)

Unfortunately, yesterday's proposed beach day in the native atire never happened... well, you know, one thing and another (trying to buy some 'fio dental' swimwear, eating, drinking and walking!) just got in the way of actually getting to the beach in the new gear!

But fear not, we have some lovely outfits to try and 'fit in' with... a little number for Jo and a small outfit for Al (with go-faster stripes on the sides). Tomorrow is beach day... be warned Ipanema.

Cristo Redentor & Sugar Loaf

Anyhoo (as Jo says) today was another matter entirely... namely of doing the touristy things of visiting Corcovado and seeing Cristo Redentor and then heading over to Pao de Asucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) and up the cable cars.

Once we finally get the photo's uploaded, it's happening as I type but taking forever!, you will hopefully see the fantastic things we have! I've also taken a wee video onboard the Trem de Corcovado as we climbed up to Christ the Redeemer. The journey was long, but our spirits were kept high by a few local chaps playing a particularly happy tune or two! Toe-tapping stuff!! No bruv, they were not playing 'skiffle'!!!

Moving swiftly on, and after negotiating Rio buses with the most welcome assistance of no less than 4 locals who were all very eager to help, we arrived in the borough of Urca for the cable car up Sugar Loaf. Again (like the Corcovado) we were spoilt with some of the most jaw-dropping views of Rio. Its got to be a city in one of the most beautiful locations of the world.

And next...

Now back in Ipanema and doing some "admin" whilst wondering where to go this evening for some more good food and caipirinhas (or caipivodka). Actually, Jo is slacking on the caipirinha front... can't see why, it's made of alcohol, sugar, ice and lime... you have got to love that

So, it's skimpies on the beach day tomorrow and then onward to Florianopolis on Thursday. We've checked out some great places to stay and are looking forward to a hammock with a view of the ocean.

The Maracana

Forgot to say.. we made it to the Maracana stadium on Sunday night to see a local derby game. The stadium is something else... I was more impressed with visiting here than my visit to the new Wembley earlier this year. Of course, that may be down to the fact that this is the Maracana in Rio but it was much better than expected... revamped recently, it has wide walkways, great views of the pitch, lots of space for your knees when you sit down and a fantastic atmosphere.

The match was a local derby between the Rio teams of Vasco de Gama (our adopted team for the evening) and Fluminense! Man, what an atmosphere. All footy matches I see in England will pale in the future... Cariocas know how to enjoy their football over here and don't let up the whole way through the game. The game ended 1-1 so probably a good thing and all the fans were good natured. We even sat in an area where both sets of fans mixed, next to families sat together where half supported one team and half the other. You'd wouldn't get that in dear old Brizzle!