WedOk so Tuesday is missing cause my iPhone is gubbed after nearly capsizing our canoe in a tropical rainstorm. Will write when Irecover Nextday......7.30 breakfast then canoe into the jungle and build a fire, cooking the rice in a large cauldron and barbecuing the chicken on sticks over the fire. All delicious. After, we visit an indigenous family farmhouse at the rivers edge. After a brief encounter with one of the pigs, in the orchard Kevin decides he really does enjoy sucking lemons. Finally found something he likes to eat Kev buys a blow- pipe. All we need to find is the poisonous frog, dip arrow in, and I'll get rid of Tricia for good. After tea, game of cards, some cold beer and some much needed sleep.... read more

Monday July 2nd Up 5am for 7am flight. Everything went smoothly except having to let the air out of our football before we could get past security- that was an ordeal in itself.We started with a 1hr flight to Cuiaratiba, stayed on plane, then 1hr 40 to Brasilia where we got off. Only an hour to wait for final leg (our bags thankfully go straight through(. Airport in Brasil are very modern and comfortable. 3hrs later we land in Manaus (gateway to the amazon) bang on schedule. So far, all internal flights have been a breeze with no queues and everything on time. We are met at the airport by Joaquim who drives like a Maniac (as does everyone in Brazil). We dump bags in his office then head to jungle with his son Paulo, 26, ... read more

Thank god butterflies are not deadly insects. On the way to the iguazu falls, bordering Brazil and Argentina, they are everywhere and spectacular colours. Can't believe I'm interested in these flying slugs. Anyway today turned out to be the day we discovered our boys worst fears. As we casually wander through a woodland path towards some spectacular waterfalls, higher and longer than niagra, we are befriended by several brazillian raccoons, looking for food (not us thankfully). And guess what, big brave Graeme is terrified of these long nosed hairy creatures. Kevin immediately tries to attract them towards Graeme - no surprise there. Anyway, the falls are indeed spectacular and you can get up close and walk along the raised deck right across the top. After long discussion and negotiation, Tricia bows out of the boat trip ... read more

Ok. So it's 4am as I lie in bed listening to what sounds like machine gun fire from a nearby Favela. And in 6 hrs time, I'm taking Tricia and the boys into "Rocinha", Rios largest favela, housing 300,000 people. Our guide, Zezinho, arrives 45mins late. And at first sight I think, bloody hell I'm safer in any favela than I am befriending this guy. Tattoos up to his balls and dressed like a tramp. We go, we learn, we enjoy, we still alive, we safe, and you know what, he's a good guy and everyone we met were unbelievably friendly. Back safe in apt, enjoying Italy 2-0 v Germany, and will go out to bar for 2nd half. Tonight.... Who knows... read more

Well. As you can see, Kev enjoyed the flight. Parked on the rio flight right next to an interesting guy brought up in the amazon , thankfully he tells us we will love it and there's nothing dangerous lurking below the water. I reckon he's lying. Anyway in mid flight, we have what the majority would call some very severe turbulence. However to me it was quite simply "OMG we really are going to die in the next few seconds." I was convinced we were about to explode over the Atlantic. After a short dive bomb to avoid being blown up, wine was served and I went back on the in-flight juke box. Classics like "free falling", "blowin in the wind"and "the end" cheered me up no end. Graeme has watched about four films and Tricia ... read more