http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from South America , Brazil , Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Botafogo en-us Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:21:00 +0000 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:21:00 +0000 FAREWELL RIO DE JANEIRO 22.11.2009Huomenna matkustan executivobussilla kaksikymmentkolme tuntia Foz do Iguaun putouksille joilla sijaitsee Itaipun voimalaitos. Sehn juuri pamahti ukonilmassa pari viikkoa sitten. Koko rannikkoalue pimeni.Kaksikymmentkolme tuntia Se konkretisoi miten valtavan suuri maa Brasilia on. Se on maailman viidenneksi suurin talous. Asukkaita noin 200 miljoonaa. Mieli http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-455088.html GdayDaar zijn we dan eindelijk Momenteel heb ik er drienhalve week Rio de Janeiro een grote stad in Brazili voor de distopografen opzitten en nu de zon sinds een paar dagen eindelijk is gaan schijnen leek het mij voor het thuisfront gepast om even het schitterende klimaatcontrast bloot te leggen aangezien ik heb gehoord dat het kwik in Nederland onlangs onder de symbolische ondergrens van http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-446965.html So we finally arrive in Rio De Janeiro the free upgrade was a bonus on the flight and got to the Hostel late on. The Hostel seems nice people are friendly and the decor is a little 1980s but we are here and we can explore tomorrow. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-445794.html Well we made it. Thats surprising considering the trials it took to get here. I want to say thanks to Brad for taking me to Checker Auto Parts to get a new battery for my 91 pickup that was sitting void of life in the middle Fox street at 9 pm 8 hours before I had to be on my way to the airport. After an hour and a half wrestling with the olSOB we got it started and I made it home. J http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-439418.html So we arrive in Rio after the 6 hour bus journey which wasn't bad at all...infact we drove through some wonderful scenery.At the bus station we went to get a taxi however one company refused to take us as we didn't have an address of where we needed to go just a general area Botafogo. Luckily another company understood English so we could explain we're heading to an area to find a hostel...did http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-438836.html You know I had a title all lined up for this blog. It had been kindly donated by Michael Paynter but events overtook me and the title was changed. But Mike you can take solace in that you have been namechecked in a world famous blog. Well maybe not world famous but perhaps famous in England. At least my mum and dad read it occasionaly.So then Rio de Janiero. The very mention of the pla http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-409297.html What day is itIs it Sunday today A definite good sign when you are trying to wind down is when you forget what day it is. After spending the rest of Friday hiding out from the rain we decided that we had enough of doing nothing and determined that we would get going on the touristy things.First up after a relatively painless accommodation change was tackling the Sugar Loaf. I was sure that http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-408562.html Dont mind the date on the photos. Need to get new camera. It kept on displaying same date on all photosMaracana Stadium Local teams play in Semi Final.Flamengo v FlumineseResult 1 0 to Flamengo.Brazil as far as I know won the World Cup here when they hosted it. It seats over 100000 people. There was a game where Brazil were in the final and the stadium held a massive 200000 p http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-394969.html Right this may be abit long winded especially since I havent written a blog for so long and weve been upto so much Ive also copied in Nics blog to save me a little time Ill add that to the end for u as its a little more detailed although dont get too bored with all the writing.Right where do I start.... Carnival was amazing one of the best weeks of my life. One massive week long party o http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-383133.html We got up around 11.30 after another late night and chilled around the hostel until about 3.30. Then we decided to get a taxi rather than a bus to the Rodavario where we had previously bought our bus tickets to Florianopolis. We jumped onto the bus in our seats these huge reclining things with footrests pretty comfortable. We sat down and got comfortable for our 18 hour bus trip. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-379998.html Our 27hr bus ride from Salvador to Rio was reasonably pleasent the chairs were comfortable and they reclined to almost flat with a leg rest the only bad thing was that we were seated at the back of the bus right next to the toilets Being next to the toilets on a 27hr bus trip full of gringos with Brazil bellies is the last thing you want. We managed to get by with the beautiful scenery. The vas http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-379482.html Day 7So the day started off very early from the night before Craig and a few others went home and me Jen KerriAnn and Taryn went to lapa a place where loads of people hang out drink dance eat and take copious amounts of drugs. We walked up the hill to the outside of a club bought some beer and started chatting to some locals. they were from a favala seriously dodgy geezers So we decided http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-377609.html Day 6 turned out to be one of the most eye opening days of our lives we went to the largest shanty town in south America. We went on an organized tour with a few folk from our hostel. Our group of 10 headed into the favela city and our bus pulled over at the bottom of the shanty town. Ok.....so the first bit of we info from our guide.....we are only allowed to take pictures when the guide says it http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-377562.html Another good layin h'm struggling to sleep in shared rooms but i think its just getting used to it So we head down to Ipanema beach again in the afternoon and are harassed by loads of beach people selling stuff i got a wicked Brasil flag towel sarong. Craig bought and tank top and some others bought tees and and a hammock. We watched the sun set before getting another bus back to the hostel. O http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-377559.html Day 4After waking up a more respectable time we headed back to Ipanema beach. So we jumped on the bus for another white knuckle ride before chilling on the beach. the waves were huge but not surf material as they were 'Dunkers' according to the Ozzie chicks After a couple of hours we headed to a bar at the beach and watched some locals playing foot volleyball. There touches were something elseIt http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-377558.html Day 3After waking at 2pm we decided we would head to the beach in Ipanema we asked Michelle for the correct bus number got showed and headed outside into the 34degree heat.The bus runs adjacent to our hostel so it was easy to flag the bus down each bus has a driver and conductor with a turnstile but some buses only except swipe cards...so we failed with our first attempt to get the bus but the http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-377557.html Day 2So after am pretty much uninterrupted nights sleep we both wake up at 7.30. After making our way downstairs and chilling in the lounge for while the cook brings out an assortment of brekkie ham cheese fresh rolls coffee cake and some very odd tasting fruit juice It finally gets to around 9am and we decide to hit the beach early. We leave the hostel and start walking... Everything is clo http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-377503.html Day 1 22nd Feb730 Craig leaves Newport with family in tow Tom leaves Leicester at 730.930 Both meet at Terminal 5 Heathrow. Check in and say our goodbyes no tears from the boys which Tom was very impressed with1200pm Board the Boeing 777 seats 37 a and b. We are sitting on the runway for an hour waiting to take off due to BA's incapacity to clean the aircraft in time for takeoff94 http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-377502.html Rio and the carnival is amazing must be done by all. Here are a few photos for now. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-376497.html Day 695 22.02.09Today was the day for us to experience all the colour grandeur and true spectacle of the Carnaval in Rio as we had tickets to the main parade in the Sambadromo. But before we could make it out for the start at 9pm we still had to drag ourselves out of bed following our previous Carnaval celebrations. Making it up for a spot of brekkie before falling back into bed for a couple o http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Botafogo/blog-376267.html