Busy week, its a hard life

Well its been a couple of days since the last update....
What have I been up to - well I have been to a couple of places.  We left Rio and headed to Ihla Grande.  It is a small island with some fantastic beaches - absolutely stunning.  We arrived and went for some beer and grub.  The following day we trekked through some jungle and after 2 hours and 3 perfectly acceptable beaches we found one that was amazing.  We continued to sun ourselves and played footy against the brazilians (on sand - love it).
The following day we headed to Paraty.  It is a small village3 and a world heritage site.  We hired a small boat and 5 of us went on a cruise - stopping and swimming in the sea, BBQ and a couple of cold cocktails.  Fantastic.
The last part of the week we have been to Iguassu falls and enjoyed the amazing sites.  A trip up the river and into the falls on a power boat was the highlight.

Anyway gotta scoot - as its busy all this trekking, and generally have a good time.

Saturday night out in Rio

Another adventurous day.  Met some people from the tour in the hotel before the tour kicked off.  Went down Copacobana beach and messed about taking photos of the palace hotel and the muscle beach (yes I did look out of place!!).  Went up Sugar Loaf mountain on the cable car and didnt get vertigo which is a nice rarity for me.  Cracking views of big J and the whole city.  Using public transport at the mo and we could do with revising our prices in line with Brazil.  One pound gets you pretty much anywhere you want.
Met the whole tour group in the evening and went for a buffet meal (meat, meat, meat).  After that some of us went to a Samba Party (crazy), then went to a nightclub after that (bonkers!!), and finally got in at 5.30 am.  Minus the tour guide.  No I didnt go to the Help nightclub - I had been warned.
Recovering with fellow traveller in the internet cafe.  Off to Isla Grande today - woohoo.
PS: Sorry at the mo due to a lack of photos.  Having problems loading them onto the net, should be sorted by next update.

They are into big Jesus in Rio

A good flight to Rio and got in about 7 their time but more like 2am UK time so was rather pooped.  Jumped a taxi and haggled the woman at the airport down to about 10 quid.  Could have got the bus but probably would have fallen asleep and ended up in the shanty towns.  I did brave the bus to see the statue of Jesus, and then the train going up to it was fun.  I would say what it was but I cant spell funicular (is that right?).  Been to the Copacabana beach and they they tried to roll me into the sea and pour buckets of water on me!! LOL.  Been taking some snaps and will publish them soon.

The adventure begins

Well its been a busy last couple of days.  I had my 574th leaving doo, and so thanks for all of those who came along and made a great night.  The rest rest of the time I have been worrying and getting OCD checking passport and currency.  I am sat at the airport now waiting for the flight to Heathrow then off to Rio. Woo-hoo.  Apparently Manchester Airport have managed to get the Airbus A380 here for my leaving. LOL.  Well I would just like to say thanks for all the good wishes everyone has sent.

The start

I decided to start with the basics of trying to set up a blog.  A long and complicated process and so I will retire to bed shortly.  I am looking forward to my Formby farewell tomorrow with a couple of chums and hopefully won't get too messy.  Already done the farewell Mark/Ecclesiastical/Liverpool etc so just a couple more farewells then hit the road and off to Brazil, and the rest of the world.  BAA staff are due to strike and so fingers crossed it won't happen till I am on the way (the rabbits foot has no hare on it left).
Note to self when setting up Blog, dont drink beer.