Well we have left the comfort of the Sheraton now and moved to a hotel nearer the centre of Rio. Its on Ipanema beach which is next to Copacabana beach. Our hotel is right on the front and our room on the 11th floor looks out over the beach and sea. You cannot believe how many people are on the beach its absolutely rammed or at least it was leading up to New Years eve, its a little quiter since, mainly cause the weather has gone pants. Its still red hot but its cloudy and there are occasional thunderstorms. Anyway, forget that let me tell you about New Years eve. We dropped lucky with where our hotel, as there was a stage built opposite on the beach for New Years eve. The music started about 7ish and finished about 3.30. We watched the crowds getting bigger and bigger on the beach in front of the stage and the music pumped out. You have no idea how good it was to here music again, we'd almost forgotten what it sounded like. We went down to the beach and danced away for an hour or 2. This is what we had been looking forward to dancing on the beach in Rio on NY eve!!! All the time there were crowds of people walking along the front towards copacabana, mostly dressed in white. We eventually left the music and joined the masses heading for Copacabana about 11. We had been warned not to take any valuables so we left the camera, dont worry we bought a disposable one so you wont miss out!!! Surprisingly quite a few came out. Anyway we shouldnt have worried as it was totally safe and there was no sign of any trouble. On the beach at Copacabana the crowds just got bigger and bigger. Most dressed in white, quite a few where throwing flowers into the sea and even more were carrying bottles of champagne, a brazillian tradition. At 12 when the first firework when off there was a barrage of corks flying through the air. Then it was like being at a grand prix with champagne squirting everywhere!!! The fireworks went on for 20mins and where well impressive as there were a number of boats across the bay setting them off so it was as if they were going off in every direction. There were also 4 cruiseliners anchored in the bay, which all eventually disappeared in the smoke from the fireworks. Well we certainly wont forget this in a hurry, as we made our way back to the hotel. After enjoying the view from the window of all the people returning and the crowd dancing away infront of the hotel just got bigger and bigger. They certainly know how to party out here as there were people of all ages - I wasnt the oldest!!!!! Have to say this has been the best New Years ever. Can def recommend Rio. Such a great party place, people of all ages, families and no drunks stumbling round. Spot on, and the best fireworks ever of course. Well we couldnt just watch from the window so we headed back out, the heavens had opened so everyone was know wet through as they partyed but it didnt put anyone off!!! New years day was a rather quite affair, there was hardly anybody on the beach but I guess that was due to the weather. Well its been fairly quite since NY eve for us, a little sleeping, eating and shopping. We have even bought a piece of artwork, sign we're both getting old not just me!!! Will have to see if it makes it home as we have put it in the post today, not sure if the postman will want to deliver it as it looks like a cross between a bazooka and a missile launcher in a big tube. Well keep in touch everyone, hope you all enjoyed your xmas and New Years. Craig & Jill