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Trip Start Apr 09, 2008
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Trip End Apr 19, 2009


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Flag of Brazil  , State of Rio de Janeiro,
Thursday, July 24, 2008

My last days in Rio were mostly spent just relaxing. I also visited the botanical gardens. They weren't as incredible as I expected but really beautiful lots of palm trees and some orchids they were cool. I was expecting more flowers but it was mostly green things. I did liked the cacti most. I would have loved to see the insectivores but the greenhouse was closed. The same day I went up the Pao de Azucar (or Sugar Loaf) it is a bit scary if you have vertigo like me. The walls are all glass. The views are more than worth it and although we went up at the end of the day and it was really quite cold seeing the city at night was incredible. After we tried to get into the cinema but is was full. We went back to see Batman the next day. I really loved it the comic book references were great for example knowing about two face from the start was a real treat. I think it was maybe better than Batman which is hard for me to say as a Tim Burton fan but I feel better because I still prefer Batman Returns Cactus
Cactus
 . Just because it is a classic. In my opinion Jack Nicholson was a bad joker and was way too big for the film. The new joker (don't know the actor's name) is great. Ok back to travel!

I tried Sushi for the first time ever and overall I like it some things I didn't like the flavour but for example tuna was great and one of the salmon things with rice and seaweed. Good news for me in Japan, although I will have to learn the names I guess. I have to tell you that Brazilians are great fun for parties because they are so relaxed but not good at anything where you have to rely on them, for example bringing food to the table. I ate in a good number of restaurants and was universally disapointed by the service. Somehow they have decided service should be included, personally I don't think it is justified. Had another night in Lapa but not as good as the first one. Spent a day on Ipanema beach but I did lots of those last time here.

Absolute highlight was seeing Muse, a concert, in Rio. Because of the price (compared with Europe) we went VIP were right near the front. Every time something happened on stage a technician changed the lights or tested an instrument the fans cheered and called for Musay and when Muse played the first note the entire crowd came alive and didn't stop until after the encore. It reminded me of Maracana the fans used the same open palm waved side on to the band. The music was great they started with new stuff i didn't recognise but after Feeling good I was by happy muscle museum and plug in baby I was hooked and when they played Invicible I was blown away.

The next morning I took the plane to Lima.
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