Well I made it here ok - although it has not been without incident! On the flight from Paris to Rio we encounted some serious turbulence - to the point where drinks we spilling all over the floor! Sods law that we had literally just been given our food. Karl wasnt too pleased at all that seen as he doesnt like flying that much, but I looked after him! Then getting through customs at Rio airport was a bit of a polava, especially since by this time we were edging towards 24 hours without any proper sleep. When I finally picked my bag up i realised that my first aid kit had been stolen, or maybe it had just fallen out, but never mind. Then we were greeted by Marcelo the private driver from the hostel and myself, Karl and two other people were crammed into the back of one of the smallest cars you have ever seen. The heat was already blistering and the roads in Rio are just mental, but we made it to the hostel and it is really nice. The only downside is that there are only 5 showers and toilets between around 80 people! So Im learning to ontrol my bladder!! Anyway, I have made a life changing decision. I am going to marry a Brazilian! The women here are just amazing!!! They wear things to the beach that would barely cover my ear lobe! Copacabana beach is massive, but the nicer one is Ipanema beach a bit further along the coast. There are loadsa football pitches marked out all along the beach so we are going to have a game later in the week. We have been up to Christ the Redeemer statue which was really great, and yesterday we caught sunset on top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - which offered gret views. Have met loads of cool people in the hostel and are going to the beach with them. Ive already got sunburnt but in 38 degree heat that is hardly surprising is it! This afternoon we are going to the Maracana to watch the derby between Flamengo and Botafogo. Seen as we are staying in Botafogo we have got tickets in the away end and are going to support Botafogo so I absolutely cant wait! Then it will probably be on to a street samba party tonight where I will try my luck with a couple of the fitties knocking about from our hostel! So all in all everything is going well and Im just loving every minute. Im still to find a pub showing Unitd tomorrow but I will ask around and hopefully get to see it. I will send out some personal email later in the week when Ive got a bit more time - but i really need to go have another beer now before we set off to Maracana1 Mum, Dad, Sez - love you all lots. Everyone else - love you all too (where thats appropriate obviously!) Enjoy the pictures - i will put some captions on them later. Till next time, adios! Jonny