After a bus and a ferry ride we made it to Ilha Grande. What a beautiful place and just what we needed after such a hectic week in Rio. We ended up staying in the most amazing room, overlooking the whole beach, with our own balcony.
We were only planning on staying there a couple of nights but ended up staying there 5!!!! The weather wasnt great (as its still winter here), but we were determined to make the most of our time there, so on one of the days we went on a boat trip to the blue lagoon and went snorkling.... taking no towels or jumpers we ended up shivering for most of the trip. We did brave it and go snorkling and the fish swam so close to you but when we got out our toes went blue and we couldnt stop shivering. After a couple of hot chocolates and cuddles we managed to get the blood flowing again.
The next day a few of us decided to walk across to the old prisons on the island, but after taking the wrong road at the beginnng we ended up on a 3 hour hike through the mountains to the other side of the island, where we found a quiet little town. We had a little walk around, went to the beach (we were the only ones there, it was lovely) and then realised we had the horrible trek back.... got histerical towards the end, lost count of how many times we nearly fell over... wearing flip flops was not the best idea we have ever had!!!
Finaly when the sun decided to come out on the thursday we went to Lopes Mendes, a gorgeous beach with sand that felt like flour. It was fun watching the guys trying to surf, we would have joined in but it was a bit too rough for us little girlies.
Made friends with some spider monkeys, adorable little things, greedy buggers tho.
To top it off we saw dolphins on the boat back, so exciting!
Spent most of the evenings on the island going out for cheap dinners and drinking till early in the morning. Always a sign of a good night whe you wake up with permanent marker all over you!!!!!
Finally we left on Friday and headed to Paraty.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Boat trip, Christ statue, Sugar loaf mountain and Favela tour
Boat trip was brilliant, not very cultural just consisted of drinking and eating and singing as loud as we could while dancing on top of the boat... all good fun. Then that night we went to Da house club in Leblon, brilliant music.
The next day we went the christ statue, we didnt go all the way to the top as they had stopped letting people in so we went to a spot just further up the road, but the views were just as good, you could see for miles.
The next day we decided to do sugar loaf mountain for sunset, you have to get a tram which takes you to the top of the mountain, pretty scary but well worth it when you get to the top, it was so peaceful, you could just sit there for hours. When we got back we just stayed in at the hostel.
Today has been a little bit more of a culture shock, we went on the favela tour (a shanty town), when we arrived we had to get on the back of these motorbikes and get taken to the top of the town..... very scary, but so much fun once we realised we were still alive when we got to the top! Then we walked throughout the whole town, there was 200,000 people living there and only 4 schools, crazy!! Its hard to take in how people live like that, and yet they all seem so happy, the children there were adorable, they all wanted to be cuddled or have their picture taken with you.
We were encouraged to take pictures and show the kids as they enjoyed seeing themselves, but at certain times you were not allowed to take pictures, this was when the men with guns and fireworks were about. The fireworks get set off if police come into the shanty town as this then alerts all the men with guns to get ready for fire. The police and the gangs then fire at each otherand people get caught in between, such a culture shock but really good experience.
The next day we went the christ statue, we didnt go all the way to the top as they had stopped letting people in so we went to a spot just further up the road, but the views were just as good, you could see for miles.
The next day we decided to do sugar loaf mountain for sunset, you have to get a tram which takes you to the top of the mountain, pretty scary but well worth it when you get to the top, it was so peaceful, you could just sit there for hours. When we got back we just stayed in at the hostel.
Today has been a little bit more of a culture shock, we went on the favela tour (a shanty town), when we arrived we had to get on the back of these motorbikes and get taken to the top of the town..... very scary, but so much fun once we realised we were still alive when we got to the top! Then we walked throughout the whole town, there was 200,000 people living there and only 4 schools, crazy!! Its hard to take in how people live like that, and yet they all seem so happy, the children there were adorable, they all wanted to be cuddled or have their picture taken with you.
We were encouraged to take pictures and show the kids as they enjoyed seeing themselves, but at certain times you were not allowed to take pictures, this was when the men with guns and fireworks were about. The fireworks get set off if police come into the shanty town as this then alerts all the men with guns to get ready for fire. The police and the gangs then fire at each otherand people get caught in between, such a culture shock but really good experience.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Life at Mellow Yellow in Rio
Went to the BBQ and just stayed in the hostel drinking on the sat night, originally it was supposed to be a quiet night as we were quite jet lagged but instead we didnt end up gettin to bed till 5am!! Everyone at the hostel are lovely and such a laugh. Eventually when we managed to get out of bed at 2pm on the sunday we went to one of the biggest football matches in Brazil, it was a local derby, and it was an amazing experience. There was about 120000 people there and the atmosphere was crazy, couldnt understand any of the chants but we still joined in. Will put piccys up soon. Then we got back at about 9, had a power nap then headed out at around midnight to go to a samba party in favela. Dont know how to explain what this party was like, but there was extreme dancing, indoor fireworks and beers for about 35p... another good night!
Today the weather hasnt been very good, went to the beach but it started to rain, we were going to see the christ statue at sunset too but we are going to wait for a better day. Got a boat trip planned for tomorrow so going to try and have a quite night in... ??? Or at least try not to drink too much!
Hope you are all well back at home.
Lots of love xxx
Today the weather hasnt been very good, went to the beach but it started to rain, we were going to see the christ statue at sunset too but we are going to wait for a better day. Got a boat trip planned for tomorrow so going to try and have a quite night in... ??? Or at least try not to drink too much!
Hope you are all well back at home.
Lots of love xxx
Saturday, September 15, 2007
First Day in Rio
After a very long but suprisingly enjoyable flight we landed in Rio. Past our first scam test where a dodgy taxi driver tried to rip us off at the airport but our clever senses told us NO!!!
Arrived at our Hostel, little shocked with how it all looks... our faces said it all! All we can say is we have a sheet and a mattress each and a very hot room!!! Nevertheless we wandered down to copacabana beach but again became a little shocked at the size and amount of people, but we had a little dip in the sea, a little sleep on the sand then had a walk through Rio back to our hostel, where we would love to have our first shower but we do not think we are brave enough yet - they are grotty!!
Think we are going to go to a BBQ tonight then head out to a samba party. Got lots of trips and sightseeing planned for the week so will keep you all updated.
Lots of love xxx
Arrived at our Hostel, little shocked with how it all looks... our faces said it all! All we can say is we have a sheet and a mattress each and a very hot room!!! Nevertheless we wandered down to copacabana beach but again became a little shocked at the size and amount of people, but we had a little dip in the sea, a little sleep on the sand then had a walk through Rio back to our hostel, where we would love to have our first shower but we do not think we are brave enough yet - they are grotty!!
Think we are going to go to a BBQ tonight then head out to a samba party. Got lots of trips and sightseeing planned for the week so will keep you all updated.
Lots of love xxx
Friday, September 14, 2007
The day of our departure
Spent most of the morning on the phone to each other asking the same questions over and over again and i dont think we managed to answer any of them? Stressful day, but filled with excitement. Going to miss everyone. x
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