Christ the Redeemer, we'd been waiting all week for a perfect day to go up to see Mr Christ and new years eve was the best so far, so we decided to go for it. Got there at 11am expecting a queue and there was, waited for a good 40 mins only to find out our tram ride to the top wasn't until 3.30pm! We then had to pray, to Christ, that he wouldn't get all clouded up. We sat about in a nearby park keeping an eye on the weather, watching chickens roam free, the usual...

Lazy day at the hostel

Maracana Stadium - get the metro to the stadium, weathers not too Rio, raining but who cares! We're at the Fifa 2014 World Cup Final venue, hopefully the diggers will be out and the seats will be in by the time England play there though. Take a few snaps from the top of the venue anyway, impressive and historical venue. Really fancied running on and slotting a penalty in but didn't want to risk it, would have scored though!

Sugar Loaf mountain, as expected huge queues to get up there, takes two cable cars to reach the top but it's worth it. Blue skies with views over the city and it's beaches, however, classic Steven I forget to check if my camera battery is charged.... no! But I have my phone camera which saves the day.

Down to Ipanema beach with Matt and Ozzie Luke, watch some footy volleyball, these brazilans boys really do have some ball control. Tempted to take them on, but I'm on strict rules from the doctor to lay off sports due to my knee injury, probably would have had them though... Starts to tip it down so retire to a bar, several hours of drunken chitchat after, we swing back to the hostel. Spaghetti bolly for tea, nice and healthy