Sarah and I had really been looking forward to Brazil for hot weather, beaches and Caipirinhias. Also we both (you may think oddly) were very much looking forward to the prospect of wearing flip flops rather than shoes as part of our everyday attire.

Paratay

We booked an overnight bus from Puerto Igauzu to Brazil. We did not have a ticket all the way to Paratay our next destination, we had to pick up a connecting bus on route. This gave us a chance to have some lunch and down a number Cachaca (sugar cane liquor) shots provided to us by three friendly local drunkards.

Paratay is a really nice colonial style small town. The houses are beautifully painted in lots of different bright colours and the streets are cobbled. One day we went to the white sandy beach of Trinndache and another we took a private speed boat around secluded islands and beaches of Paratay. It was a brilliant day - really good weather, combined with relaxing on private beaches, swimming and jumping off the boat into crystal clear water - topped off with a coolbox full of cold beers. What more could you ask for?

Robbie was also very pleased to discover that he could by a bottle of Cachaca, limes, sugar and ice (all the ingredients for caiparinhias) for about £4!!

Rio de Janeiro

We left hostel booking last minute and everywhere we rung, literally 10-12 places, were all fully booked!! Luckily we found a place in Copacabana with a four bed dorm after much searching by the girls, while the boys played cards and made caiparinhias.

We decided to take in the Christ on our first morning in Rio. Disorganised we got on our way but did not actually know where to go. So after a couple of hours faffing around asking various people how to get there we jumped in a cab to the bottom. The funicular was booked up for the next two and half hours so we had to take a bus up. On our ascent the Christ could be seen surrounded by blue clear skies. However on reaching the top of the hill by bus the weather took a turn for the worse - it was blowing gail, with misty skies and spitting rain. You could have been in Scotland except for every few minutes you got a glimpse of the Christ. This was despite only standing about 10ft away from it!!! You win some, you lose some. Certainly on countless other occasions on our travels we have been really lucky with the weather.

We also had a few nights out in Rio. A place like no other if you want to go to a street party which happen every week in various places around the city. The most famous one is Lapa. Live music, hundreds of people dancing samba in the street and most importantly pints of caiparinhia for only £2.50!

We also took in the 'Pao de Acucar' (The Sugar loaf). We walked up the first hill and took the cable car up the second. The views were spectacular and really gave you an idea of how unique Rio is as a city with its miles of white sandy beaches, many forest clad hills, islands and vast sprawling population.

We also took in some time at Copacabana. The beach is iconic for a reason. People playing volleyball, football, racquetball, keep-it-up others using beach gyms, building sandcastles and playing in the huge waves. Along with the numerous vendors selling bikinis, glasses, beers, caiparinhias, sarongs and much more all add to Copacabana's unique atmosphere.

Isla Grande

None of us could wait to get to Isla Grande - an island paradise about 4 hours from Rio. We had a very relaxing time on Isla Grande chilling on beaches, diving and snorkelling.

Lopez Mendez was by far our favourite beach - pure white sand, greeny, blue clear waters. Most importantly the beach had waves or Robbie sometimes gets bored. Sam and Robbie had devised a method of making caiparinhias on the beach and brought all that was needed in their recently purchased cool box.

Everyday our lunch consisted of what we could muster from breakfast (certainly the actions of backpackers). Usually ham and cheese rolls with some fruit and if we were lucky a slice of cake.

Another day was spent hiking to a waterfall and then on to a small almost deserted beach. Robbie and Sam spent the afternoon building a huge sandcastle with a fully working moat with its own watersource. A Canadian guy could not help himself and ask if he could help to make the work of art. Our planning and building conversations were interrupted on numerous occasions by "sssshhh" and "be quiet" from Sarah and Emma trying to relax. A couple of days later we returned to the same beach by boat on a half island tour - the beach was heaving. Our sandcastle was still standing - obviously the word had got around about the castle.

Sadly we had to say goodbye to Emma and Sam after three weeks - we had a great time with them. Shortly after Sarah and I returned to Rio for a few days taking in Ipanema Beach and doing more flip flop shopping. Next Stop Venezuela…….