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Published: October 8th 2010
Brazil Foz do Iguazu With a heavy heart we leave Juan, Suzanne and the gorgeous Panagea Ranch and head to Brazil & Foz de Iguazu and head to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu falls. At over 2km long, the falls are actually a series of cataracts. We took a helicopter ride up and over the falls to see them from the above, which was impressive but not as big as I’d imagined. The disappointing aspect of this flight was we never got very close, which was a shame. Still, I guess that wouldn’t be very safe, so hey ho. After the flight we walked along to all the view points along the way until we reached the falls, which are massively impressive. The power of nature is awe-inspiring.
The next day we headed back across the border and into Argentina again so we can see the falls from the Argentinian side. Admittedly, the Argentinian side offers better views and it’s immense. You walk along the boardwalks and get as close to the falls as one possibly could get without being drowned (or without taking a boat trip under the crashing water). A couple of us cross over
onto San Martin Island to see the falls from the inside. Again, it’s incredible to be so close to these thundering waters crashing down in front of us, the mist from the water getting us wet.
Paraty Next up is the colonial town of Paraty. This is a charming little town with cobblestoned streets and little pesky monkeys who’ll love you for a feed (along with the dogs!). We spent a couple of days here, catching the local bus to one of the beaches at Trindad where we went for a bloody cold swim. The weather isn’t being too kind to us at the moment and whilst the water was cool, it was colder getting out than staying in. Still, not gonna let a little thing like that spoil my enjoyment.
Ilha Grande After Paraty we headed to Ilha Grande and stay in this gorgeous home stay up the hill. I could wile away a few hours laying in the hammock before heading to the main streets for some food. Again, the weather was pretty shocking and so decided not to take one of the hikes on the island. Instead, I booked up to go diving. Being
asthmatic puts me at a slight disadvantage, what with some schools refusing to take you. Anyway, I’d been given the all clear to go and was thoroughly looking forward to it, if slightly apprehensive.
The day arrives and we climb aboard the boat. Quite a few people are on this boat with 3 dive masters, and 4 divers with varying ability. We stop at the site of a ship wreck and the divers suit up and head overboard. The remaining 6 of us sit and wait for when we go to a helicopter wreck for our dive, each of us beginners.
Upon reaching the chopper wreck we’re told the girls are going first, each with an instructor, who’ve talked us through the do’s and don’ts. They suit up and off they go……returning 35mins later. Then one of the guys goes with an instructor whilst the more experienced divers suit up for their 2nd dive, leaving just 2 of us beginners. Then, the moment arrives and it’s my turn. I suit up, put on the weight belt and flippers and am helped into the air jacket and tank, and there I am, in the water dressed like scuba diver.
This is sooo cool and I’m quite pumped.
My instructor takes me through the formalities and reminds me of the hand signals……then starts to release the air from my jacket and we begin to sink. I equalise my ears and breathe steadily with the air regulator. My instructor checks that I’m ok and we sink deeper into the water. I begin to feel the pressure on my head, my ears need to pop again, so I give the signal, we rise slightly for me to equalise. I begin to look around and see the surface above me….then, I freak! I start to panic a little and begin to breathe more rapidly. I have to get to the surface. Bubbles in my face, fear overwhelming me and I signal to my instructor to go back up, which we do.
We’re now back on the surface and I remove my regulator. My instructor, who I have to say was fantastic, calmed me down so we can try again. So, we start the process again and go back beneath the water, but it’s too much for me. I can’t control my breathing and decide to stop.
This was something completely
unexpected for me and I’m seriously disappointed with myself for not doing it. I can’t put my finger on what specifically freaked me out though I suspect it was a number of things. Still, I guess the good thing is is that I now have a new challenge and plan to give it another go, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Rio de Janeiro And finally we get to Rio. Again, as with lots of parts of South America I’m quite nervous about Rio due to the stories I’ve heard about how dangerous it is etc. First stop is a hotel about 200 yards from Copacabana, probably one of the most recognised beaches in the world. And I can’t stop singing that bloody Duran Duran song Rio or Copacabana by Barry Manlinose! “Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl….blah blah blah” Unfortunately I’ve realised that the time to not come to Rio is October……no sun, no blue sky, can’t see either Sugar Loaf or Christ and certainly no thong-clad lovelies frolicking about on the beaches. Damn you seasons!!,
Walks along the beaches reflecting on my trip and a tour of the Favelas is next on the agenda. Like
most, I’ve seen these places on the news, unusually negatively portrayed, often with good reason or at least seemingly so, but I’m surprised. The colours, the friendliness with which we are met gives you a different view. Racing up the hill amongst all the traffic on the back of some local motorcycles was great fun. Ok, part of me feels that somehow I’m being somewhat voyeuristic but, well we’re assured that our guide came from the Favelas and that some of the money from the bookings goes to schooling the children. I’m not a big fan of using tour companies, preferring to make my own way by local bus etc, but after visiting the Favela and realising what a labyrinth these places are booking with an organised tour was perhaps the best and safest way.
Next up we move to Santa Teresa for our final few relaxing days in Rio. Santa Teresa is in downtown Rio with our hostel Terra Brasilis being at the top of a hill. And wow! What a place to stay. This is real old town Rio with its beautiful colonial architecture, cobble-stoned roads and trams. It is truly a beautiful, quite and friendly place.
The views from the Terrace of downtown Rio are amazing….even in the rain! Some gorgeous little bars and restaurants and shops adorn the streets this place is really central.
For the next few days we meet friends for dinner and drinks, grab the bus to Copa, and do the usual touristy things. Again, the weather is sh*t and on most days you can’t even see Christ the Redeemer upon the hill. Will we get a chance to visit??? One place you have to visit is the tiled steps of Lapa. These incredibly beautiful steps are in the process of being tiled by a Chilean painter called Selaron who has been tiling these steps since the 1980‘s I believe. Fortunately our hostel was nearby, so we headed for this area, walked down the steps then turned to see them. It was an attack on the senses….so much colour….it is beautiful.
After catching the bus for a quiet picnic down on Copacabana (I bet you never thought you’d the words quiet and Copacabana uttered in the same sentence?!!) we catch the next bus back to Lapa and I notice that we can see Christ the Redeemer clearly! Excitedly we catch
the next bus back, grab the next tram and head on up the hill…..and there he is, in all his glory, Christ overlooking Rio de Janeiro. The view is amazing, if a little hazy. Not the usual blue-skied shots we’ve become accustomed to seeing on postcards and stuff but a great view all the same. He looked beautiful.
And so among a few other excursions about the city my trip comes to an end. I make my way to the airport by cab (which is when I realised I still had my room key!!) and board my plane back to the UK, a somewhat depressing thought. Better start thinking of where to go next. J
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And finally.... ....there we have it. I’m now back in the UK and about to embark on organising seeing friends family and what to do next. Oh, and the diving experience…..I’ve been back and tried again, only this time I was fine. Had a great experience in learning to dive and can’t wait to get back in the water. Thanks Liam.
One last thing, thanks for everybody who’s read my blog and commented. I’ve quite enjoyed writing it but
don’t think I’ll ever do it again, a blog that is. But, for those of you reading this and thinking about doing a similar journey, I say ‘DO IT!!’ Its been a fantastic trip….a trip of a lifetime.
See ya! x
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Kirst
non-member comment
Absolutely fab blog, wow what a trip you've had, mind blowing experiences and a collection of wonderful pics & memories to cherish forever. I've just read your final entry...now I am going to have to read a proper paperback at bedtime...boring!!!!!! K xxxx:-)