Blogs from Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America - page 3

Flew from London via JFK. Got fire access seats both times so not too bad. Arrived in rio to carnage trying to get through customs - massive queues to start with, which then descended into a big mess as people tried to jump it. Worked in our favour - I was in the loo at the time but suspect Hattie started it. Shared a taxi to the hostel with a couple of Americans who ends up pretty much paying for the whole thing - very generous. hostel really nice, got a picnic and had on ipanema beach, then walked along it and went swimming. Beautiful day. Then took Hattie in a swan pedalo on the lake here. Very nice. Trying to not fall.asleep before 8pm!... read more

Machu Picchu exceeded our expectations because of its amazing, isolated location and the extent of the Inca ruins. It was a spectacular delight archaeologically and geographically when you consider the Incas, so many centuries ago, selecting such a remote, steep and jungle covered terrain to build such a huge community. The trek up to the Sun gate was an hour's slog in drizzle and mist and there was no view at the top. However our patience was rewarded and eventually the mists cleared and the view to the bottom of the river valleys and over huge mountains was stupendous! It was a rewarding but tiring few days getting up very early and walking all day and so we were pleased to arrive in a "Chelsea" area of Buenos Aires called Palermo Soho. Again more walking but ... read more

¡Hola todos! Á mis amigos y los otros personas, Jan 1, 2013 (Ottawa) ¡Voy hacer de viaje á Amerique du sud en enero! ¿Yo espero aprender español muy mayor quando viajo Am. du sud? Yo empienzo el nueve enero 2013. Yet again, I will 'try', the operative word here is try, to blog the trip along the way, iff - i.e. if and only if, all goes well. Espero tambien que mi español es mejor en tiempo. ¿Eso es possible de decir? I have added a Canon camera with lenses and an iPad mini along with my MacAir in an effort to achieve my electronic ends. NEVER MADE IT BEYOND BRASIL BUT WILL BE OFF AGAIN SHORTLY. STAY TUNED.... read more

Cleiton is Brazilian, and he says that Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But unfortunately, NOT safe. Our only advice, is take with you whatever that if you lose, or get stollen it will not be missed. So if you care about that expensive watch, rings, jewelry, etc LEAVE IT in the hotel. Our money ALWAYS, goes in our socks ( which has saved our behinds before). Ipanema and Copacabana is where most tourists hang. Ipanema is much more gay. Rua Farme de Amoedo is the gay street, which is between Posto 8 and 9 ( life guard stations), also the best gay beach ( voted one of the Top 10 in the world). Rio is so expensive, the only cheap thing is still the food! Enjoy your Churrasco (brazilian BBQ) ... read more

Another new country to explore and sadly the last one of the trip. We finally made it to Brazil, land of big bums and tiny swimsuits. As always the journey to a new place is one to mention. For once it wasnt a case of horrible buses or me being sick but instead a first class flight from Peru to Brazil, oh yeah! Nothing quite like a bit of first class after 5 months of cheap travel. First stop was Rio De Janeiro and Ipanema beach. Its no lie the people in Rio are extremely fit, buffed up and surprisngly gay. I didnt realise just how large the gay community in Ipanema would be. That was my first observation, the second was that Brazilians dont seem to wear any clothes, they really do walk around in ... read more