La Bella Nissa Buzios

... br>We spent the days chilling out and eating out. We discovered the Brazilian dinning experience of the ‘Kilo buffets’. A huge spread of meat, fish, pasta, pizzas, vegetables, cheese, fruit and desserts were laid out, but rather than a set price for an eat as much as you can, you only paid for what you took, weighed by the kilo, great for small eaters!

Having explored our immediate area we decided to go to a beach ...

... people I just completely ****** off with that one. Remember, it's a joke, sort of. Anyway, retribution is in store for anyone who didn't like my deep thought. I head back to the apartment and all of a sudden my stomach starts killing me. It's not like an upset stomach or anything internal, it feels more like the muscles lining my stomach are being ripped apart. It starts off somewhat mild but it keeps getting worse ...

... one after the other! So it was really lovely to spend our last two weeks in Rio as well as a few islands and coastal cities along Brazil. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL We spent our last night in Rio with the two Israelis from our hostel and a big gruff-looking American guy (especially good to have one of those around when you plan to go out in Rio). We took a crazy van ride to a suburb called Lapa (I almost thought we were in Guatemala again...the van ...

... I still want to move to either Cordoba or Buenos Aires...ahhhhh! We caught up with Gaby one last time for a lunch in San Telmo, and also caught up with our friend that we met in Honduras, Ivan along with Rafi and friends (Jaqui, Nani, and Ingrid). We had a great night in Palermo at a joint called Casa Cruz (quite swanky)...and ended the catch up early in the morning with drinks at Nani´s house ...

... and you see so many fish. A lot of the time you can just float right through the middle of an entire school, its pretty crazy. Cole, Rahul, Sally and I rented an underwater camera so we have pictures and movies of us snorkleing so you´ll all be able to see the pictures. And the the next day we went to the beach there and it´s the same river just not as many fish. But once again you can walk along this little trail and then they have made a platform that you can jump off and float ...

... of them is individually fitted with their outfits then it's just amazing. We just sat and marvelled at the whole thing and, although it was very tiring, it was magical and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. We have photos although I don't think they're really going to capture it. Do see it on tv! The walk home was a little interesting. We couldn't get a cab so set off for the hotel. We ended up in a street party which had become very seedy and then we had ...

... as you stroll the streets is absolutely nauseating!! The city itself seems to be something of a has-been. The facades of the buildings lead you to believe that about 60 years ago or so this place was amazing and now it is a little love lost. The Carnival Nothing short of spectacular. We managed to get tickets to the Sambadrome on both Saturday and Sunday night. Sunday night is the main event, but Saturday is the competition for the schools who want to be in the ...

... road.... in the end i think he did it about seven times. We wouldn't have minded only he had no air con and we were suffocating in the back. Anyway we finally got there. Next problem was finding our way in, was no signs or nothing, only a number. Once we'd found the bell it wasn't too hard tho, we were shown in and taken to our room. At first the hostel was disappointing, it was very small, very quiet and the dorm rooms were cramped with triple stacked beds. However that was gonna change ...

... going to have a relaxed evening, gemma is a bit ill cos left with a cold which has got worse. So after sitting in the jacuzzi spa! She is having an early night in preparation for beach party tommorow and I am heading to the hostel bar. Hope you are all well. Keep in touch. xx Well Rio is just as mad and frenzied as everyone says! Hostel is cool, basically everyone hangs out in the bar from about 9 til 12 and then goes out into town. Nothing ...

... to our hotel late in the afternoon. We spotted our favorite concierge, Flavio, and waited behind another guest to speak with him for a dinner recommendation. First, the other guest struck up a conversation with us. Her name is something like CB Touchdown, from Washington DC, and she is spending something like 3 or 4 months in Rio, both to learn Portuguese and to lose 60 pounds or so. She was quite friendly, though I don't know how someone goes to Rio to lose weight! Definitely ...