Ilha Grande

After 4 days of tip toeing around Rio (we didn’t feel safe enough to stroll around and really get a feel for the city) we hopped on a 2.5hr bus journey down to Ilha Grande, an island off the coast of brazil just a little south of Rio. Got to the port in Agraa and soon enough we were on the ferry over to the island. Met by a deceivingly quiet Leaha (hostel staff) who we scurried after along the beach to the Aquario Hostel. I say deceiving because no matter where you are in the hostel you’ll here this lady talking, not that she’s loud, she just doesn’t stop. We collapsed at the hostel, untangled ourselves from our rucksacks and grinned non stop for the next 4 days.

The island is GORGEOUS – little beaches, warm water, caipirinha stalls (Lisa went missing for a few hours one night and we know exactly where you were young lady!). My camera decided this was the perfect place to throw a strop and die. Again. Never buying a refurbished camera again. Ok ok the can of coke spill incident didn’t help it either. We spent our time here doing our best to get some sort of colour to try and walk by the locals with some dignity. Didn’t happen for me. We went over to what we heard is supposed to be one of the nicest beaches in the world – Lopes Mendes. One thing I won’t forget is sitting in the shallow water waiting for our boat to pick us up and Lisa jumping like a lunatic (nothing new there) out of the water. An angry little crab came out of his hole which Lisa was sitting on and told her to get lost with his pincher. Myself and Ciaran rolled around sniggering until I bloody well launched myself into the air onto the beach. 2 dirty gashes (no exaggeration – gashes!) right on my ass. That little fella got me with both hands. A massive boat of tourists happened to witness the whole thing. Nice.

Read on at Lisa and Ciarans site now where they’ve described the rest of our stay. Here you go.

Rio de Janeiro

Ola!

We´ve arrived in Rio safe and sound, a little shuck up from some, what I thought was horrific, turbulence on our 13 hr BA flight from London. Lisa and Ciaran tell me that was nothing though. No need to have grabbed poor Lisa´s hand while frantically trying to clip my seat belt.

Got an express bus from the airport all the way to Ipanema. So far it seems Ipanema is one of the nicest places in Rio. Passing through town from the airport was rough and dirty but had some really lovely old buildings which unfortunately were mostly derelict.

Monday, our first day, we checked into a 4 bed dorm for ourselves at the Wave Hostel in Ipanema. It´s a 2 minute walk from the beach which is just gorgeous. I´m not a sea swimmer at all so this is the best place to start, the waves are enormous. The area we´re staying in feels safe enough, has tons of restaurants and cafes that suit our budget. Found a great little buffet style cafe right beside the hostel called New Natural where a big plate of whatever costs about 5euros. British, Scottish, American, Swedish are staying at the hostel.

Yesterday, our second day, we got a taxi tour to see the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado mountain. It got cloudier as we got to the top but we still had a great view of Rio. The statue itself is more impressive from anywhere else other that the top of the mountain. You can see it from everywhere in Rio look over the city. From there we were driven down through the Santa Teresa district which as rough as it looks is still really really pretty. Our driver had zero English, we have zero Portugese but Ed and English lad from our hostel translated a bit here and there for us. From there we had a quick stop at ugly cone shaped Metropolitan Cathedral. It´s much nicer on the inside but I´d say only stop by if you´re in the area or resorting to prayer to increase your bank balance.

After yesterdays activities our 30 euro a day budget didn´t allow for much last night so we got some wine (disappointingly not as cheap as expected) and grub from the Zona Sul (supermarket) and sat outside our hostel. Was nicer than it sounds!

Tonight we´re off to see Flamego v Parana play some famous stadium that Ciaran keeps pointing at when it´s in sight. He say´s it´s called the Maracana stadium. It should be good craic though, it´s the Champions League of South Amercia so hopefully we get tickets. Off down to the beach now, no plans after that, maybe work myself up to book hangliding for tomorrow . Fingers crossed the weather clears up tomorrow for that.

Will have photos and cool shiny things up later today.

Tchau!

Off in 2 days! WHHEEEEEE!!!

Hi there,

So if I’ve sent you this blog you’ve already had to listen to me blab on and on and on about my travels this year. For anyone who got away here you go:

South America for 3 months taking in some of South Brazil (first stop Rio de Janeiro), lots of Argentina, bit of Bolivia, Peru (including Machu Picchu) and then finishing up in Santiago (Chile).

Then onto New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Going with me on all of this is my boyfriend Ciarán and his lovely sister Lisa. I’m too excited to say anything else, have way too much to do still – make more checklists then some going-out-the-door checklists, then a final-in-the-airport-panic list – my fav. Get more music to keep me sane on the way, find my tickets which haven’t seen in a few days and no they’re not in my pockets. Flip.

So I guess the next time I sit to write you again will be from Rio. Weather forecast says it’s giving thunderstorms from Sunday on, we arrive Monday, so the next post may be a long one.

Thanks for everyone’s best wishes, please please please keep in touch lots.

Byebyebye!