So, here we are on the last leg of our journey. It seems like only yesterday we were getting ready to leave the UK, now we are getting ready to return.

We arrived in Rio on Saturday after a, thankfully, uneventful jouney from Ihle Grande. However, the fun began once we had arrived. It turns out that the whole of Brazil has a holiday starting on Friday 29th June and lasting about a month. And during this time everyone heads to Rio and other resorts to enjoy their break, thereby filling up all of the hotels, hostels and guesthouses. After hostel number 4 told us they were full we were starting to worry a little, but we were saved by a guy advertising apartments on the seafront.

To say we were skeptical is an understatement but it all turned out to be kosher and we ended up in this little apartment on Copacabana beach for the same cost per night as the hostel several blocks back from the beach.

Rio is totally unlike anywhere we have been in South America. They have beach-culture down to a fine art, with scantily clad people of all shapes, sizes and ages parading up and down the seafront, football and volleyball taking place on the beach and loads of little sea-front kiosks selling all sorts of refreshments - from whole coconuts with holes drilled in them in order to drink the juice to huge bowls of prawns and just about any tropical fruit juice you can imagine, and many you can't.

The beaches themselves are a little crazy. The sea is magnificent here - but pretty dangerous too. It is full of kids surfing the massive waves but we didn't dare go in that deep. Today we 'paddled' for a little while, and were still knocked sideways by the massive waves crashing into us. And whilst sat on the beach you are offered all manner of things, from umbrellas to sarongs and bikinis, hammocks, ice creams, sandwiches and tattoos. On Sunday we sat on Ipanema beach and actually managed to spend about 150 Reals from our deckchairs.

Away from the beaches is a massive city with it's high rises, markets, beautiful old buildings and churches. During our wanderings we came across one street that looked like it could have come out of the wild west - all wooden facades and a slightly worn look about it - it was beautiful. Beyond this there is forest, lots of it. And of course the famous land marks: Christ the Redeemer up on his hill and sugar loaf mountain, giving incredible views across the city.

The other amazing thing about this city is that it actually has a visible gay scene. Having been 'friends' for the last 10 weeks and having not seen any other same-sex couples it has been brilliant to be here and see the rainbow flag flying, couples holding hands and a generally more laid-back attitude.

All in all, Rio has got the big thumbs up from us. We would love to come back and explore more - of Rio and of Brazil, and we would definitely love to come to Carnaval - it looks crazy but brilliant. But for now we must head home - friends, family and food await us.