Oi! (means hey in Portuguese)

Took coach from Rio to Paraty, a beautiful little pirate town with cobblestones which the tide washes over each day. Loved it here, we swam with turtles when we went on our boat trip and danced both nights away to live music in the square. Sat up with the group until around 4am drinking and chatting to another English guy and a French guy. Didnt want to leave, but had to head off to Sao Paulo.

We were all a little shocked when we got there as it appeared we were staying in the gay district which is fine, although you cant tell who are boys or who are girls and it is extremely busy everywhere. Has population of over 19 million and has 14,000 street kids. Its a bit like the film 'a blast from the past' when they surface after 25 years in isolation!! We took a tour round the city which had some lovely buildings and we got the giggles when our tour leader was trying to speak to us, we kept getting locals want to stand with us. They seemed to all walk up to us like in shaun of he dead, mumbling and wanting to touch us, it was hilarious!

Saw lots of helicopters flying overhead as a few years ago business people were always being mugged at red lights, the government now allow people to drive through red lights (as long as they slow down) and many people all commute to work via helicopter. When we went out to eat at the trannie cafe, (yes, full of trannies!!) the police (with guns) pinned 6 young boys up against the walls to search them.

Went for a few vodkas in the trannie cafe with Sinead and Sum, we mainly just people watched and before we knew it, it was 5am. Met a nice guy who worked there 5 days a week for 10 hours a day just to put himself through medical school. I love Brazil!!

Have now arrived in Curitiba which has won the most innovative city award. Absolutely lovely here, a real contrast to Sao Paulo. Lovely hotel although its freezing everywhere and am going to have to invest in gloves hats etc.... brrrrrrr!

Getting a night coach later to go to the Iguassu falls, cant wait xx