Today I was a daring culture vulture! Took the metro to Cinelandia & wandered the old buildings of downtown Rio. Visited the Museum of Fine Art & the National History museum. Very geeky but I had a great day! As it was my last day I hit the beach again to watch the sun go down over Leblon with an ice cold Brahma.

Am still not fond of monkeys....even little marmosets :(

Put my tourist hat on today & went on a tour. Was just what I needed to get orientated with where everything is. A little slow to start but then we hit Corcavado & saw Christ, the Redeemer. Loved it. The sun even came out! Was ridiculously amused that I had to travel up by escalator so ran ahead & made my tour guide take loads of photos with me riding them up & down with Christ in the background. Soooo American! Enjoyed the Steps of Lapa & ma...

Wow standing with 25,000 fans in the pouring rain watching Edmundo's farewell game for Vasco.... awesome!! English football matches are not a touch on this level of passion. Even enjoyed the 25 min power cut where everyone (including the players) stood in the dark chanting. Vasco won 9-1! Ahhhhh E Edmundo!!!!!

Arrived in Rio just past midnight. Landed & settled into my airport hotel in under an hour. Was mistaken for Brazilian & told to go in the immigration queue for citizens when I tried to use the foreigners queue! Staff were lovely to me. Cleared immigration in 10 mins! A record! So excited & nervous so sleep was difficult. After a few hours of kip it was time to raid all the complimentary toiletries, check out & start my Brazilian adventure. Hm...