The first leg of the tour has officially begun, and what better way to start than in Rio. The two plane journeys here were surprisingly smooth, although I think I have replaced my fear of flying with the fear of taking foreign taxis. It all adds to the excitement though. Leah has been repeatedly mistaken for a Brazilian and I nearly lost her 3 times in the first 12 hours in various RTAs. However, we have now managed to successfully negotiate the traffic system: when there is a space - RUN. Well, Rio - stunning backdrop but a rather shabby city. Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are not all they are cracked up to be. Supposed to be home of the beautiful people, well my friends, it is a myth. Saggy arses and lucky lucky men prevail. We did a tour of Rio in a day - Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer were absolutely amazing. We also stopped off at the Cathedral and the place where the carnival starts. We were told we could try on carnival costumes, everyone looked a little sheepish but guess which showoff had already picked out their costume and had it on before everyone else was off the bus?! It certainly spurred everyone else on though. We are certainly embracing the culture, though our quick easy peasy Portugesey lesson on the plane did not do us that much good. They seem to laugh everytime we speak. Oh, we got lost on the mean streets of Copacabana - left the hotel without making a note of the road name - doh. Although got back without stressing or resorting to the penny (the penny, my friends, is the last resort - heads left, tails right). We were having a meal last night and a rotten legged man started doing the lingo thing with leah. I frantically held my money and watch. Turned out he was just another tourist. Must learn to be less prejudiced and paranoid! Backpacking malarky fine - straighteners working, Gucci Rush on daily and breakfast brought to our rooms - and you all said it would be tough! Signing out now, leave me some messages, mail me or am I really just a distant memory? Meeting out tour group this evening, may not be in civilisation for some days so take care and catch up soon, Katherine xxx Ps Cannot upload piccys yet - no USP ports.