THIS IS BRAAAAAZILLLLLLLLLL!!!!!

Bus journeys went according to plan this time round and we made it to Brazil….first stop was Sao Paulo to watch a football match, Sao Paulo v Cortiba. It's true what they say about South Americans and their passion for fuzbol. The game was played at the Morumbi stadium, which is going to be used during the 2014 world cup. Unfortunately didn't get to see Luis Fabiano play, however, did get to see Lucas, currently being chased by Chelsea and Denilson playing on loan from Arsenal. Sao Paulo 3-1…..Denilson goal……good night…..great game! Loved Sao Paulo, very clean, easy to get about, friendly, amazing fresh fruit markets….which we thought we were buying your standard fish, however after looking at the phrase book, turns out we actually ate shark meat. Brazil has a very different vibe from all the previous places we have been to so was very exciting about seeing more of the place. There is no place like home though…first restaurant we went to and the first Brazilian we started talking to…..guess where he lived for a few months…..COLCHESTER!!! Just can't get away from the place. Haha!

After a few days in Sao Paulo we headed to Parati on the south east coast towards Rio. Really nice little cobblestone town where we spent a couple of days chilling out in the sunshine, finally. We went on a boat trip one day and there was only one other girl on the boat so we basically had a private boat tour of the surrounding islands. Further up the east coast we headed to Ilha Grande, Brazil's third largest island. Lots of treks to do around the island leading to various waterfalls, natural pools, mountains and beaches. Another boat trip around the islands with snorkelling, fish, turtles etc. We trekked 2 hours (apparently it's meant to take 3, Bear Grylls eat your heart out!) to Lopes Mendes beach - apparently one of brazil's best and voted by vogue in the top 10 world beaches. After near enough a year and a half without any exercise it was a little difficult and im sure we are going to ache tomorrow! Me (Jodie) became one with nature yet again when a group of little (evil looking) monkeys were hanging out on the trees. We stopped and gave them some bread and took a few pictures only to be thanked by being pissed on from above, lovely! I give up! During the trek towards the supposed amazing beach we came to a point where the wooden bridge had broken and you had to jump down to the beach to carry on….an older couple were also trying to get over this obstacle and the lady helped me get down. Lewis, on the other hand thought he had it cover and decided he would jump over the edge (like you would when jumping over the horse during PE at school)…misjudging it, his foot got caught on the edge of the railing and, what looked like in slow motion, he fell to the side and hit the sand (looking like a dying horse at this point). The other couple didn't seem to bat an eyelid to this…I however got the giggles as you can imagine….im actually crying with laughter right now writing about it! So after the 2 hour eventful trek to Lopes Mendes we arrived…….top 10 beach?????? Depends if you like the scenery of rubbish, dead penguins, random toilet seats, trainers. Not sure what happened in the last few days as it did not look anything like the postcard pictures definitely not in one of my top 10…think it may be joint with Jaywick! Just kidding, it wasn't that bad…we just expected more.

Up bright and early tomorrow for the trip to Rio…..very excited!!!

Good night all, will update again soon xxxxxxx