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Published: April 12th 2009
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.... Laura now taking over...
Ok so where were we, drunk i think.... ah yes!
The evening of afore mentioned episode we got chatting so this American Journalist who informed us we could take the tram through Santa Theresa.... meaning we get awesome views of the Christ de Redemer statue + sugarloaf + a favela so we make plans to do this the next day!
So there next day we marvel at our ability to actually get somewhere on public transport.... and the place to actually be intentional.... language barrier really rather substantial and the old phrase book is getting alot of action!
We meet a English guy (Wandsworth) and Brazilian girl and spend most of the rest of the day with them! On the tram, locals tend to not bother with the hassel of actually getting on and sitting down.... ah no, why do that when you can hang off the side with just one food and one hand for support....? Views = spectacular... the tram takes you progessively up into one of the many hills that surround the centre of Rio and so you end up with fabulous panoramic kodak moments!
We manage to
get home, via taking bus on wrong direction from Flamego Park and then taking it back again (we didn't get charged twice tho).
When we arrive back at hostel, we are both a tad tired and weary.... thought of heading to Sao Paulo (city of 19 million) the next day to get a connecting bus seems like torture as we are both in need to a stop gab where we can chill, catch our breath and adjust to concept of exactly what we are doing...
Then right on que, i got chatting so the bar-maid at hostel and asked if she could reccommend a coastal destination, not a million miles away that might be good just to chill-out.... and alas, we heard of Ilya Grande....
then as if the whole world know of this place except us, we got talking to a couple of awesome guys who had just got back from there.... they were both from Israel, and the kinda guys that if they were going in the same direction as us, we would have stuck by them like glue..... really friendly, knew their stuff, yadda yadda! They informed us of a series of coastal towns we could
hit along the soth coast of brazil.... all of a suddon, the colour comes back to our faces as we have the realisation that after a mental couple of months pre-travel.... we can literally spend the next few weeks just unwinding on a variety of islands.... hurrah hurrah!
Sunday - Bus from Rio - Boat to Island
So picture this... on a boat..... passing a series of tiny rainforst coated islands, blue sky.... suddenly anxieties begin to evaporate!
Arrive at pier of Ilha Grande.... get lurred off to Ghetto (slight exaduration) part of island by PR lady to not so favourable hostel! Go for wander, find slightly more expensive but idylic hostel on the beach with verander stretching out over the water and decide we are staying there instead....
It is at this point we meet Àction Man - also known as Eddie! We are trudging along the beach and i stop this chap to ask for directions...
So Eddie - Officer in the british army, was holidaying with a buddie who left him to go home to see to some relationship drama.... could talk the knickers off a nun!
After some food and beer with AM (Action Man)
that evening, we make plans to do a trek with him in two days to a beach on another corner of the island... ahaha, have not been carrying around bulky walking boots for no reason!
By the time the trek comes, we have made friends and we are now an all singing/dancing ensemble of 6 trekking through the rainforest.... and oh the humidity... and the sweat... have never had sweat pour off me like this before.... drenched.... minging.... grrrrr!
That evening a big group of us from hostel and AM wander over to neighbouring hostel for a BBQ.... 2 Caiprinias each later, Tor and i are doing the moves.... ok.... maybe not ´The´ moves, but definately some kinda moves.... all in all most unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable evening!
Wednesday - head to Paraty as ever growing group of 6.... Hostel.... perfect! Not like previous ones with loads of rooms, loads of music.... loads of hussle and bustle... no no no.... we have arrived in a place that is the closest thing we are likely to find to home in South America! Tiny hostel, only two rooms, hammocks, run by Pedro who is Sooooooooo nice and so friendly..... his
daughter April is often around, talking to herself and anyone near her..... clearly we haven´t a clue what she is saying but she is charming none the less!
We take a wonder into the old town.... i do not think my words can to it any justification so i would highly urge anyone reading this to Google Images it.... just G.E.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. Definately a place for tourists and Brazilians alike to holiday with money....
So what with the impending Easter weekend, the town is busy and AM, the lovely Toby and Megan (get this.... Megan was in Yr 11 of the school i worked in at the time that i was there as a TA.... madness i tells thee), Talloulah, and a few more head into the old town on Thursday evening for a midnight parade.... not quite in keeping with the religious celebrations i have experienced previously.... mainly due to everyone attending having a cocktail in hand, but interesting all the same.... Jesus (JC) marched into town by soldiers.... has a bit of a sparriing match with Judus.... lots of people carrying bamboo torches.... ah, you know... the usual!
Easter sunday.... we decide some exercise might be a
good idea.... we cycle to one of the nearby waterfalls.... by cycle i clearly mean when we get to rediculously steep bit... we get off bikes and push them!
Waterfall - madness! Its a natual waterslide, we have video footage of both tor and i attempting it.... however have some even snazzier footage of amazing Brazilian chap doing it standing up....
So that takes us up to present moment!
Photos will follow.... when we summon strength to be that organised!
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Sean
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Fabulous blog!
I have to say that so far Ms Cunningham has the best blog (1-0 to Lozza, sorry Tor). I am reading this with a big smile on my face, i look forward to the next installment! x