Hello all,

We have been on a cultural outing to the Maracana to see the local Rio derby match between Vasco and Botafogo. It is quite a different experience to that of football in the UK and the style of play is completely different too, the idea is not to defend, just to score the most goals!

We sat in the Vasco end, although we could've sat anywhere - once you are inside the stadium you can sit anywhere! It was a carnival-like atmoshphere, flags, drums, chanting, flares etc. It sent shivers down your spine.

Vasco went 1-0 down within the first ten minutes and were 2-0 down by half time, the second was a cracking free kick right in front of us. this didn't dampen the crowd who still showed an unbelievable amount of dedication and kept the samba drums going until the death. At the start of the second half Vasco hit the bar and then botafogo went down the other end and scored (a great volley into the top corner from outside the box!!). It finished Vasco 0 - Botafogo 4, but when the fourth goal went in thewre was quite a large exodus of Vasco fans!

All in all though it was an entertaining game with an atmosphere to rival that anywhere in the world, with the added bonus of beer sold to you in your seat for a quareter of the price you would pay for one anywhere in the premiership.

P.S. Grandad - the atmosphere makes Stamford Bridge look like a museum!

It was a cracking end to our stay in Rio which we have thoroughly enjoyed (apart from the expense!!) - tomorrow we head off to Island paradise - Ilha Grande, apparantly home to the best beach in Brazil - Lopes Mendes - Sarah cant wait to top up her tan!

Love to all, A&S xxx