wow! steve sitting behing me in this email cafe in Rio, Sorry I sent an email by hotmail, and deleted it, I really should have put it on here!, but suppose id just be repeating what he has written below! So yeah thats what weve been up to!, I hope he mention he lost his wallet! and he wasnt even drunk! (PLONKER!) Any excuse to get me paying for things! ; ) Tut Tar for now! x

Hey everyone!!!

Ok i know weve been away for a few days now and youve not heard from us but we are ok and having a great time so please do not worry!!! Internet access and phones are pretty pony round here so thats why we aint been in touch yet. Weve just found a good place for internet and phone so you should hear from us a bit more over the next couple of days until our south ameriuca tour starts and i shall try to put some pics on the website ´cos weve got some absolute crackers.

Anyway, weve only been here a couple of days and already its been MANIC. The flight was 13 hours long in total which included an hour stop off at sao paulo. Steven Merchant (co-writer of the office) was on our flight and we met a couple of lads from south london.

We arrived at about 7.30 am local time and just went straight to our first hostel. Our room held 10 people (5 bunk beds) and we met some really kool people who we are still travelling around with during the Rio Carnival.

On our first day we just wandered around ipanema beach for a bit, which is unlike anything ive ever seen. There are mountains and small islands dotted all around the horizon...its just gorgeous. In the evening we managed to get hold of a couple of tickets to see a footy match at the biggest stadium in the world called the Maracana which at its peak can hold up to 200,00 people. We went to see Botafogo vs Operario in the Copa Do Brazil...there were only about 8,000 people there but the atmosphere was sooooo amazing that it felt like it was full. Botafogo won 5-1 and there were some QUALITY goals.

On day 2 we went to see the Christo Redentor which is the famous, huge statue of Jesus Christ on top of the mountain. Its got to be the most amazing site i have ever seen, the view is incredible and you can see absolutely everything. Weve got some cracking pics which i shall try my best to put on the website asap but might be a bit tricky cos the computers are pants.

Yesterday we had to move hostels and have come to the Hotel Granada which is a palace compared to the first hostel and is our ¨pre tour accomodation¨. This is probably the last bit of luxury were gonna have for quite a while so were making the most of it. Its got air con and a tv and is just me and Rob in a room now. It was the official start to the Rio Carnival yesterday and we got straight in there with the street partying which was INCREDIBLE. The streets are just lined with people shouting and singing and dancing everywhere...its mad but great fun. Tried this crazy drink too which has some horrible spirit in it, a shed loada suger and lime....it was rancid but got me well on my way...hehe.

Tonight should be pretty much the same sort of thing but we managed to get tickjets for the sambadrome which holds the shows for all floats and stuff and is supposed to be brilliant. That´s tomorrow night and goes on from 9pm till 7am!!!!!!!!! So were gonna be knackered but i cant wait.

Ok people i think this has gone on for far too long...ive gotta carry on having the time of my life but i love you all and will be in contact soon. Dont forget to keep checking the site too.

Much Love

Steve - Globe Trotter

x x x

It's Saturday pm 25 February and still no word from the travellers. Come on you guys - it's about time you updated this website!! It says you're still in the UK (perhaps you didn't get on that plane after all but sneakily took the offer of £500!!). Looking forward to hearing from you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon!!!

Hi Rob
Sorry we missed your leaving do----I understand from your Dad I was far too old to enjoy it!!
News from home: Gayle (cousin) is getting married on 30th Sept. (we will raise a glass (or 6) to you on the day)
: Anne (cousin) is having a baby on 6th Sept. (the Banks/White empire continous to grow!)
Have a great time Jane

We are all very proud of you,glad you past go and did'nt collect the £500 at the airport. pass the word when you arrive safely, and let us know how the hotel is? god bless you both lots of love.

ok well now steve has gone off around the world i can finally dish the dirt and tell u all what he was like when he was little *little cutie*

DID YOU KNOW

Steve stole from a hairdressers in westmalling *i made him take it back*
He did a huge poo on the patio in front of our snobby neighbour *he was about 15 hehehe*
ooops 5
He used to write stories about super heroes *he thought he was one*
He believed me when i told him i had a magic carpet and told the whole school in assembly *bless*
He had a favourite cushion that he took everywhere with him, untill we left it in devon, he cried for a week so we had to give him his sisters one with cute kittens on it
He had blond curly hair
He loved having his picture taken and always had his mouth open *nothing new there*
He came second in a mr ibiza contest
He broke his coller bone twice
He is the most perfect son, fun and an extrovert what more could u ask for??
Steve you are and will always be perfect, i love you xxxxx

The two globe trotters have now left england. However, when we got to the checkin desk they were offering £500 if you would take the next flight to Rio, as they had over booked. That sounds a fair i hear you say! Thats what i thought untill we found out the next flight was in a weeks time, yes a weeks time? Lucky for them they got there early so they had no problems getting on board.

ello bruva!! hope u have a really wicked time, and stay safe! gunna miss ya loadz, a year is sooo long!! cant wait to c all ur fotos of ur travels, and cant wait to hear all ur stories. u shud write a book wen u get back. that wud be well good! ud be loaded and cud share it wiv me coz it was my idea (",) he he! well any ways i wont babble on 4 2 long take care miss ya! luv lil sis xxx

Boys, top weekend indeed. Hope you have a good time away and that you keep safe, Staj don't forget we want photos of all your conquests as I'm sure there will be some hehehehhe. I shall keep you updated with Holtwood season and everyhting else that I think is important or unimportant as a matter of fact. Wear your england sgirts with pride during the world cup wherever you are and I shall look out for riots caused by you on TV!

Speak laters

Face

Just a quick message to say thanks allot to my pal Stevie Buckingham AKA DJ NODJ, who helped us out big time on Saturday night, even though he was feeling rough as toast by the end of the night (And the poor chap was sober!!) Apparently he proceeded to "worship the porcelling god way into the early hours" (Sorry to much info!)

So a quick advertising pitch, that if any of you are having a doo soon that requires a DJ, he could well be your man!

Rob u drunken fool! Great pic of u in the photo section with a white shirt on covered in red wine... lol!!! Had a great time in sheff last week buddy. Enjoy yourself and may see u in nz, Phil

Sorry i didn't get 2 c u boys before u went. Have a F*****g great, c u in a year.

P.S will keep the flame burning for FM for ya both !!!