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Published: September 2nd 2008
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Bonjour!!
I am so sorry it's taken me FOREVER to get on this thing. It's been a whirlwind last few weeks!! So I shall get straight into it and fill you in on whats been happening!
The last time I put an entry on here I was in a town called Foz do Iguassu, which is right on the border of Argentina and Brazil and Paraguay. That day we had just explored the Brazillian side of the falls which gives you the overall view of the falls. The next day we ventured back over to Argentina to experience the falls closer and to do a rapid boat tour into the falls (nuts I hear you say? yes definately!!)
The falls are so amazing on the Argentinian side. You get up so close to them. We walked out to a ledge for the massive 'Devils throat' where it feels like you are going to the end of the world. In the afternoon we took our boat ride and got absolutely drenched. It was slightly terrifying getting that close to the falls like that, but good fun!
After Iguassu we caught a flight to Sao Paulo. This city is
massive, and not very interesting, so we headed straight out on a 5 hours bus ride to a seaside town called Paraty. This is where the famous Brazillian drink called 'Caprinhas' were born. It's made from fermented cane sugar. It's lethal and not very nice!
In Paraty we hit the beach on one day and then the next we did a boat cruise to a few islands. It was the first on our trip that we had seen the coast so you could imagine how excited we were!!
After Paraty we cruised to an Island called 'Isla Grande' - translated - Big Island. The island has a been called Lopes Mendez which rates highly on the Top 10 beaches of the world. They also had the most amazing Ice Cream shops!! For our entire stay, we bummed around on Lopes Mendez - which was a mission to get to with a boat ride and partial hike!
We then headed to Rio. On the day we left for Rio the weather had turned and was miserable. Rio De Janiero was one the highlights of my trip and we had a city tour booked for that afternoon. With the
low cloud and rain, there was absolutely no way we were going to be able to see the famous Christ Redeemer. Our city tour was reschedule for the morning after, and a soccer match was booked for the evening after.
We woke up the next morning with the most amazing sunny weather! Our tour took us up to the Christ Redeemer with spectacular clear views! We also headed to Sugarloaf Rock over looking Copacabana beach - yes I sang the song the whole time we were there!! If only I knew past - Her name was Lola, She was a showgirl......
That evening we went a Rio soccer match. We were told that this would an excellent match with lots to see as it was a local derby match between Botafogo and Vasco. Our guide advised us to:
1. Not wear black or white as these are the teams colours
2. Not wear soccer shirts
3. Not wear red and black as these are an oppositions colours called Flamenco.
We were advised this as soccer is VERY passionate over there.
We got there and the outside of the stadium was jammed pack. No alcohol is allowed to be
Boat Ride
Scary mary consumed inside, so everyone was outside drinking. I cannot explain in words the vibe outside of the stadium.
We decided to seat ourselves in the Botafogo side - which was so roudy - filled with flares, flags and team songs. I'll hopefully successfully post a video on here to show you the atmosphere!
The next day we departed Rio for London. Nick headed to Oxford with his family and I headed straight to Paris on Eurostar to meet my parents.
We had booked a little apartment in the Montmarte area, just behind the Sacre Couer and the Place Tertre. On the first day I dragged my parents round Paris till about 11pm. We did all the sights - Place de Concorde, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, & the Louvre. The following day we climbed the Eiffel Tower and checked out Chinatown. I then did a Paris walking tour about the Da Vinci code and saw the Ritz hotel where Lady Di spent her last night. Checked out the local markets, the Moulin Rouge and typically - shopped my butt off.
I'm next heading back to Oxford to for 2 weeks to catch
Boat Ride
into the falls up with the otherside of the family and celebrate Matt (nicks cousin) & Amy's wedding.
I will load more photos of the soccer match and Paris when I'm there!!
Hope everyone is well!!
Jacs x
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