Premier Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

... of some building - all very strange. At some point we`re going to have to find our way back without a map (we have been trying to find one but couldn't really understand what the people we asked were saying - nevermind.<br>Maybe with our next thrilling instalment we'll include pictures (I have lots of grafitti - and other things). <br><br>Join us next time when anything could have happened.<br>Mike and Gem (we haven't lost each other yet!)

... at least 3-4 times because several people fell off and/or hit themselves with a parked car. it was crazy and beautiful scenery, it provided me with a view of the water, the mountains, the favela(the slums) and all of the colorful apartments stacked upon one another. i then walked back down the mountain which took a very long time because i was in flip flops and the road definately had numerous potholes (people got to witness crashley), buses flying up it at 45mph, and ...

... as we didnt have the exact amount on us to board the tour so we missed it.<br><br>Final day in Rio saw us trawling around the City looking for things to put in Gary's cool flat and there was atleast 2 'bongs' on Egan's unwanted food.<br><br>We got on our bus to Florianopolis at 2pm and were not too excited about the 24hr hike down South to colder, yep COLDER, climates. Still, atleast we got a packet of biscuits on the bus - no Coco Pop though!<br><br>Rolfe<br><br>x

... was evident as we entered Rocinha and jumped on the back of a motorcycle for the long winding journey to the top of the hill for a total of 2 Reals. The tour then took us down through the narrow alleys visiting the sights of Rocinha while the guide explained the detail of the situation. The favelas contain everything that you could possibly need to live including internet cafés although while there is sporadic running ...

... faisait une température terrible, et l'humidité était étouffante. Finalement après des heures j'ai fini par trouver une boutique que je cherchais, et m'acheter une nouvelle paire de sandales! Ce sont des Havaianas, la marque emblématique du Brésil, et il était vraiment temps de remplacer mes vieilles sandales des Galapagos...<br><br>Cela dit, cette virée m'a permis de prendre un peu la mesure de deux quartiers de Rio, Ipanema et surtout Copacabana. C'est une zone supposée riche ...

... hygiene here (or lack of it) that really sticks out and this is something they are working on improving through education (Brazilians are by nature shocking in what they do with their garbage).Otherwise, very few people are starving and they are real communities. What defines them though is the violence which breaks out periodically, when they become warzones for the drug gangs. Often lasting for a week or more people are trapped terrified in their homes. If it hasn´t ...

... ground as without any warning I get struck by lightning! It just sounds so surreal and no one has believed it when retelling it here but it was just so bizarre - to be struck by lightning right in front of the Christ the Redeemer Statue?!?! It was just so strange - I just felt energy strike me in between my shoulders and Kla said she saw the light from the energy. This wasn´t a huge bolt I was struck with but it was something and enough to send us all running for ...

... was ready to start catering to us once we arrived - everyone tried a caipirihna and I think it would be safe to say that everyone enjoyed them. Some tried strawberry - but I believe that lime was the preferred flavor - as it should be in Rio. Everyone seemed to be impressed with the salad bar and quite excited about the meats as they were presented and carved "plate side". By the end of the meal everyone was either tired or perhaps a little 'drunky' and ...

... have it all, right?! <br> <br>We jumped into the main instructor's 4x4 and started the long winding climb up the mountain. <br><br>All the paths that led us there were winding,<br>And all the lights that led the way were blinding.<br>Or something!<br> <br>It turned out that both of our ...

... assistant as his regular assistant was love sick and not there. We never did get the full scoop on that. <br><br>Later the head waiter, Erno, came by and filled in the details. Each night he will bring me the menus for lunch and dinner the following day. He will take my order and it will be prepared gluten free. I feel very comfortable and am impressed with how they are ...