Her name is Rio and she dances in the rain!

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...... until yesterday anyway ;-)

We arrived in the rain and at first glance the airport looked like Heathrow, we thought we had gone full circle!! After fighting our way through the taxi touts we got a bus to Copocabana giving us a good look at the City straight away (it took over an hour as it was rush hour). Rio certainly is 'the city of contrast'. The first thing we notice is Rio is BUSY, always so much going on, its fun! With the beautiful surroundings and diversity between rich and poor in the city our photos won't do it justice (especially Lynny's).

Our hostel is great, like a little relaxation den owned by Newton who loves to show us backpackers round the city. Due to the weather and tiredness our first day was spent mainly at the hostel until we went to get dinner. It was then that we realised we didn't know what anything on the menu was, so we spent the next half hour in a supermarket working out what food is called in Portugese!

On Tuesday we took in some culture. We went on Newton's (nicest guy ever) free city central tour. He showed us around the main churches, a modern cathedral and few other non-religous sites. We had fun though so we decided to do another Newton tour up to the district of Santa Teresa on Wednesday. Its an old district in the hills and has a lot of charachter including a VERY old tram that had to be rode on to be believed. People were hanging off of it as it was full and it wasn't slow either. We also went up Sugar Loaf Mountain, fantastic cable car ride to the top giving amazing views of the city.

The weather is now superb so we spent today on Ipanema beach. Hoping to get to a footy match on Saturday after hitting some street parties on friday night! :-)

Gray.

P.s

When Graham attempts to speak Portugese he speaks like a woman shouting! Very funny!!

KFC comes with rice and kidney beans!

I brought a pair of flip flops today from a butcher.

Lynny xx

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Photos

Christ
The view from our room!

busy center
Busy city 'centro'

Sugar
Us at Sugar Loaf

copacabana
The view of Copacabana from the sugar loaf.

Tram
The crazy tram to Santa Teresa

Comments

[BaxStar]

Wow
The back drops in those pics look amazing you lucky bastards. Whose that rather tall fellow standing on a hill with his arms open? He clearly just wants a hug! Look forward to hearing more of your tales! I imagine the beautiful game in brazil would be quite beautiful! Safe trip Bax* X

[Emski]

Her name is Eastcote and its poo!
Hey guys! So happy to hear from you! Photos are amazing, im sure have to be seen to be believed! So glad you had a safe journey and you sound like youre having a fantastic time! Your leaving do was great, had a brill w/end. Keep in touch! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Caz]

WOW!
Hola!! Seeing them pictures has made it finally hit home that you're there! Looks absolutely amazing guys, you lucky lucky things! Stories sound funny, I really want to here Spicy talking Portugese, hilarious! I bet Newton is a cool dude! It looks so fantastic, the adventure has begun! Missing you loads, still expect to hear you come through the door at Tom's! :o( So lovely to hear from you, really looking forward to the next installment of your blog! Lots and lots of love from a very jealous Cazza! mwah mwah mwah xxx

[Jon]

Nope, not jealous at all.
If it wasn't for the sheer joy that another a wet, dreary, and dull day in London generates, I might have gone off the pair of you by now ;)

[Sophia]

flip flops and kidney beans
hahahahahahahah flip flops from butchers! You shouldn't be eating KFC (especially if it doesn't come with chips!) in Rio! Typical british tourists ;0) That photo of the two of you at the Sugar Loaf is AMAZING! What a beautiful place, you are so lucky :) Its nice to know what you're up to, keep in touch Soph xxx

[Amy]

awwww!
miss you! those pictures are stunning- can't believe you're actually there! and can't wait to see more pics!!!

[teresa]

love you
sounds great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im so jelous i nearly cried. keep taking care of each other. love you both

[ANT]

Lego Hair
Bastardos!!! Looks wickedy wick- very jealous... What a good idea for a website!! Glad you're having a good one- looks amazing, must be such a culture shock... Graham- I look forward to seeing pictures once you've turned into a bearded caveman hihihi... Keep in touch- I look forward to the next update... Laters potatas!

[Rachel]

hi ya!
It's great to see what you're up to! I often wonder what to surf for when I get the laptop out! Fancy swopping places?? You have the two kids and I'll ride crazy trams! (a ride in the car with Mike and two kids is fairly similar though!!) Take care you two, have a fab time wherever you are! x