Hello all!

I made it to Rio on the bus all well and good - although I did get stuck in the gate on the bus with my backpack and some lovely man tried to help and upon lifting my bag stated - óh - thats heavy!`that was my hand luggage!!

Arrived in Rio and headed to the hostel by cab - its not the best place I´ve been to but its growing on me. Theres a pool but it looks very suspicious so I´m not going in!!

I the got directions to the airport to meet Rebecca and headed out at 5.30 - At 9.00 I arrived having had numerous confusing converations asking for directions, 3 different bus rides stuck in heavy traffic, 4 arguments with cash machines that wouldn´t give me any money and taxi ride I knew I didn´t have money for! I was very stressed by the time I arrived but found a cash point then waited for Bex!

She arrived on time and after a teary hello we got a cab to the hostel and chatted the evening away.

Friday morning we hatched a plan for the next few days then set off to see Christ The Redeemer. We joined a little tour which drove us up stopping at various veiw points and met a couple of guys who we spent ther tour with. The veiws were spectaclar but Christ was a little dissapointing ( please don´t be offended - I´m meerly referencing the statue!) I thought I´d feel kind of spiritual or respectful like you do in Cathedrals and such but it didn´t have that presence. We then headed over to Sugar loaf mountain with Demmy ( one of the guys we met - he was from Soá Paulo so proved very useful and was lovely!), we stopped at a shopping centre for some food then headed up in the cable car. We stayed up having a beer and I made friends with a lizard until the sunset. We headed back to the hostel then went out about 10pm to Lapa which is the party area near by. It was amazing! So many people drinking and dancing in the street - really lovly atmosphere. We had a few drinks and wondered around all the food and drink stalls, had a boggy in the street to some live musc then trekked back up the hill to our hostel around 1.00 - wicked day and I love having my Bex with me!! ( Jemma - we miss you, you should be here, but we understand!)

Saturday we headed to COPACABANA!!! It was so beautiful - massive and loads of people but it was gorgeous. We stayed all day - tried to go in the sea but the waves were so strong they just wiped you right out - it was very amusing watching Bex try though! She did a better job than I did! We moved off the beach and had a beer while watching a football match which was lovely until a man begging who I refused to give money to me belched in my face! CHARMING! Coz that will change my mind! We came back to the hostel then a bit later went out again into Lapa with two girls staying here- it wasn´t as busy but we had fun and celebrated one of their 30ths!

Today we had a lazier day but only because apparently on Sudays people are more likely to get mugged or murdered - seemed like a good reason to chill! We did go for a wonder in the morning and saw some old ruins and steps that went on forever which were decorated with brightly coloured tiles.

We move on to Ipanema tomorrow for a few nights so I think the beach may be calling again!

Much love to you all x x x