Merida ... After an ordinary start to Venezuela things started getting better in Merida. Much better. After checking into a neat little posada, we went out and organised a few activities for the 2 days we had planned on spending there. Being a university town, in the mountains, Merida is something of an adventure sports capital. The three of us ...

Taxi to Fortaleza airport, good 2 hr flight with TAM. Decided to bus into Belem town - perhaps a mistake! Half an hour waiting at roundabout near airport getting conflicting advice on best bus to take. Finally took a bus someone recommended, had usual fun negotiating the turnstile (on every Brazilian local bus) with rucksacks. Standing. After co...