Blogs from Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America - page 10

Hi All, So we are home safe and sound - no issues on the way back. Here are a few final pictures from Rio and one or two reflections. Best Meal - El Establo in BA - the best steaks we've ever had - thanks Shirley! Best Hotel - Novotel in BA - first class and great Value. Sauna was great too. Best Experience - First sight of Iguazu Falls - jaw droppingly impressive Best Shopping - BA definitely - bought loads - decent prices helped - we really like BA. Best laugh - Watching two crew, five passengers and several passers-by trying to move a car (by lifting it!) out of the way of a Tram in Santa Teresa, Rio. The whole tram load of passengers cheered and clapped when after 10 minutes of struggling ... read more

Hello All, Sorry if we have been quiet for afew days . We have been up country in Iguazu... but first let´s just record the fact that the best meal we had in BA and probably the whole trip was in El Establo - a brilliant little Parilla (Grill) restaurant that was recommeneded by Steve´s friend Shirley - thanks Shirely - it were great! We left BA as planned on Monday early but then ran into our second problem of the trip. On arrival at Iguazu - on the Agentinian side - there was no sign of anyone to meet us. This was pre booked and paid for so you can image how we felt. Half an hour alone in a deserted airport is enough to convince you to jump in the nearest willing taxi whatever ... read more

After 20 hours on a plane, a bus ride and a long walk dragging my backpack to the hostel - I've finally made it to South America! I'm staying at mellow yellow party hostel. It's basic, but clean and we get free caipirinhas during happy hour (a very important deciding factor, as you can imagine (thanks ali)) and full of interesting and fun people. So far I haven't spent a second by myself, which is exactly what I wanted. The lonely planet guide describes Rio as “one of the world's wildest and most scenic cites” and I couldn't agree more! Stunning scenery, rolling waves, white sandy beaches, thong bikinis and budgie smugglers everywhere. It really lives up to all the pictures you see and yes girls the men really are gorgeous! Possibly even better in real ... read more

Hi everyone To continue our travels in Chile - we flew from Santiago to Puerto Montt on the way to Puerto Varas. This is a lovely little lakeside place (Lake Llanquihue). Beyond the lake was a beautiful snow covered volcano (Osorno) - so pictuesque. The beach was crowded, but the black volcanic sand was not to our liking. The water was crystal clear. Puerto Varas is known as the city of roses - they are everywhere. Many Germans settled here in the late 1800´s, and their influence can be seen in the buildings and the food. We cannot believe how many roses we have seen in S A. We heard some wonderful musicians here - another surprise. There was a fabulous concert in the street, where we heard all sorts of music including a very nice ... read more

It´s been a while in travel time since the last blog, we have done alot and not so much... It all began with Carnaval. The unfortunate dampner of the rainy weather in Rio, which actually forced my jeans out of my pack (regrettably mind you, I mistook rain for cold) did not take any sort of toll on the celebrations, and celebrate the Brazilians can! Carnaval is like nothing we have ever really experienced before, the city basically shuts down for 5 days so everyone can dress up, get drunk and samba!! So thats what we did. Basically carnaval in Rio is like heaps of street parades all over the city, they have a starting point and an ending point, you can join in any parade (called a ´bloco´), and follow around a truck with a ... read more