Posada La Pedrera Buzios

... the badly pot holed streets. But not for long. As we rounded a corner, and luckily slowed down, the entire back wheel and suspension of the van just fell off.

We came to an abrupt stop, and all the locals gave a bored groan and got off the van. Something told us the MOT laws aren’t particularly strict in Brazil...

Having explored the best that Buzios had to offer, we were ready to move on to Rio de Janiero...

... most likely scenarios. Well, if this gets much worse I will have to go to the hospital. The worst thing is I can't even sleep and I just lay there in agony for at least 4 hours. I decide to take some Advil {and if you know me, you know I'm in pain since I never take over the counter medicine} and listen to my ipod. At some point I fall asleep and I wake up and I feel fine. Weird. But, yeah, worst night of my trip, by far. fin

New year wasn´t really what I imagined it would be. I really missed my friends. Of course I made some new friends here but it wasn't the same. On the Island it was a great party and even when I left the centre and went back to the hostel the party was still pumpin. I found Habera (Marcos) there and we headed back to the boat (Mandacaru). Before ...

... beaches, rocks with rude shapes and plenty of favelas sometimes on fire and er banging?! Yep this place is literally 'on fire' and by FAR the best city that Jim has been to in this world trip. Don't beleive too much of the hype about muggins. I've been out and about with old ladies, Australians and people as camp as christmas and not one mugging in site. I was more afraid of big gay Rodrigo and the dodgy taxi driving here. Much worse! Anyway - Monday. I ...

... is called the access night, 10 samba schools from the 2nd tier fight for top spot and automatic admittance to next years top tier at carnival The top tier performs over night 2 and 3, this year that was sunday and monday, and whoever comes last goes down to be replaced by the winner of our night How does the performance work - the schools each pick a theme, it is okayed by the carnival committee,somebody writes them an original brazilian song to reflect their theme, they ...

... as no-one gets in til at least 5! Yesterday we went on a boat/ booze cruise around the bay. Felt a bit like I was 18 again but was a good laugh, free food and drink all day so you cant complain really. Although we did try and take it easy as we new we were going to a street party in Lapa that night. Which was very sensible because the street part was totally crazy. Basically I have never been to Nottinghill carnival but from what I have ...

... Rio and pick it up on the last day. Also we can only take hand luggage to Amazon Lodge so needed to get that organised. Keith watched the Flamengo-Botafogo match on tv so he could talk to Rodrigo about it tomorrow. Went to restaurant next door for dinner - rodizio de petiscos - it was like tapas and cost less than 3 quid each - the wine and capairinhas were a bit more though. Booked an early call with Herr Flick on reception - he said it came with a bucket of water!

... I could make my way to the second one at my old stomping grounds. Upon my arrival, people informed me that my Chester was an impostor turkey. He was nothing more than a chicken on steroids. Oh well, oversized chicken for dinner then! There was lots more food to eat there, and more booze and more merrymaking and tomfoolery. 2 AM hit and I was out like a light on the upstairs couch. I mean,come on...back-to-back parties...it's hard work, man! Starting next week I ...

... but TWICE by a lifeguard in under 2 weeks - Made out with a Venezuelan beach soccer player in the pool - Straightened my hair a few times - Went blond-ish with sun and ocean exposure - I'm beautifully bronzed on any given day - Discovered the simple joy of a cheap manicure/pedicure - Passed out at a rave in the mountains due to lack of oxygen - Experienced my first ever Toga Party - Discovered Petrópolis and Teresópolis - Discovered Nova ...

... lobster. The seasoning was perfect! The only thing that was missing was a little sausage. Other than that, we had delicious shrimp empanadas and shrimp sauteed in garlic. The paella was also mostly shrimp (plus four lobster tails), so we ate A LOT of shrimp. However, it was a nice change of pace after eating so much steak for the past week. I have commented several times that it´s a good thing we don´t have any doctor´s appointments coming up where we might have our cholesterol ...