Welcome to Rio de Janeiro
The tour has ended and I have four days to myself to explore and get a tan. The latter of which I am failing at miserably. It is Saturday as I write this, I will be leaving tomorrow.
Rio is an odd place; its a party town, a paradise and a metropolis all at once. You can't lie peacefully on the beach without being offered weed or cocain, or guys coming up to you asking you if you want to get laid. I'm assuming they take you to a seedy place (of which there are many) and get a commission. I was asked many disgusting questions by one guy about british girls and rio girls.
The beaches however are fantastic, as is the nightlife, the restaurants and the bars. While i've been here, its been nearly 30 degrees and have got up every morning to go to the beach and take advantage.
My hotel is pure luxury. I am currently lying on the biggest bed I have ever seen. Theres a view of Copacabana beach. The only issue I have is that i'm on the 17th floor - the very top - and there are only two lifts; i can wait forever sometimes.
Since I've spent the past few days relaxing, i have very little to say, so goodbye
Saturday, 16 July 2011
The End
Forgot about this Blog
Day 54 - The End of the Trip
So, two nights in Paraty, which is a beautiful French-style town built around an old harbour. I would show you pictures but i've been very lazy and havn't been taking any pictures lately, i'll borrow them off other people. It was here that the weather changed and finally became hot and sunny. I finally found the perfect present for myself here, which sums up the trip for me and i love it, even if it did cost me a far bit. I will show you all it when I get home.
The next stay was three nights in Ilha Grande. Ilha Grande used to be an island for the rich, but became a party town in a paradise. This place really was the most paradisical place I have ever been. We went out one night, and walked to secluded beaches and waterfalls the other days. The final day there, we got up early to catch a boat to the mainland, and to Rio de Janeiro.
We only had one day with the whole group in Rio, so we decided to go up to Christ the Redeemer. The man himself is pretty unimpressive, but the views from there were breathtaking. For the first time in a week or so, I actually got my camera out and took loads of photos.
The next day we said goodbye to our leader and some or our group and I spent the day at the beach. That night, I had to say goodbye to Leonie and Bron, which was very bizarre since I'd spent the past 9 weeks with them. I'm still getting over it now. I spent the next day with Erin, which was a great day, we explored and were proper tourists. My next post will be all about Rio
Day 54 - The End of the Trip
So, two nights in Paraty, which is a beautiful French-style town built around an old harbour. I would show you pictures but i've been very lazy and havn't been taking any pictures lately, i'll borrow them off other people. It was here that the weather changed and finally became hot and sunny. I finally found the perfect present for myself here, which sums up the trip for me and i love it, even if it did cost me a far bit. I will show you all it when I get home.
The next stay was three nights in Ilha Grande. Ilha Grande used to be an island for the rich, but became a party town in a paradise. This place really was the most paradisical place I have ever been. We went out one night, and walked to secluded beaches and waterfalls the other days. The final day there, we got up early to catch a boat to the mainland, and to Rio de Janeiro.
We only had one day with the whole group in Rio, so we decided to go up to Christ the Redeemer. The man himself is pretty unimpressive, but the views from there were breathtaking. For the first time in a week or so, I actually got my camera out and took loads of photos.
The next day we said goodbye to our leader and some or our group and I spent the day at the beach. That night, I had to say goodbye to Leonie and Bron, which was very bizarre since I'd spent the past 9 weeks with them. I'm still getting over it now. I spent the next day with Erin, which was a great day, we explored and were proper tourists. My next post will be all about Rio
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Sun, Sea and Relaxation
Days 52 & 53
I've actually messed up the days on here somehow, as I'm a day behind, but I'm going to carry on regardless. As I mentioned in my last post, we spent two days at the Iguazu Falls. One day at the Brazilian Side, the other at the Argentinian. The latter was much more impressive, but both managed to produce views which would shut you up. Both days we got soaked, but was well worth it.
The past couple of weeks have been rediculously cold here - it is winter after all - but finally it has started to warm up. We have reached the coast after a 24 hour bus ride, which was a killer. I am now in Paraty, about to go to bed. Tomorrow will consist of a boat ride to different islands and beaches, and a bar on board. If the weather holds up that is.
With only 11 days left til I get home, people are starting to talk about what they will do when they get back and for the first I am starting to feel abit home-sick. I'm still not ready to come home though, so i'm not counting down the days just yet.
Out
I've actually messed up the days on here somehow, as I'm a day behind, but I'm going to carry on regardless. As I mentioned in my last post, we spent two days at the Iguazu Falls. One day at the Brazilian Side, the other at the Argentinian. The latter was much more impressive, but both managed to produce views which would shut you up. Both days we got soaked, but was well worth it.
The past couple of weeks have been rediculously cold here - it is winter after all - but finally it has started to warm up. We have reached the coast after a 24 hour bus ride, which was a killer. I am now in Paraty, about to go to bed. Tomorrow will consist of a boat ride to different islands and beaches, and a bar on board. If the weather holds up that is.
With only 11 days left til I get home, people are starting to talk about what they will do when they get back and for the first I am starting to feel abit home-sick. I'm still not ready to come home though, so i'm not counting down the days just yet.
Out
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Losing my Virginities
Day 46
A free day in Santa Cruz so me, Erin, Nic and Lupe went to the Zoo, which was so new that it wasn't even finished. I saw my first ever armadillo and now its my new favourtie animal. That night we set off for Brazil.
Days 47, 48 & 49
Our first 3 days in Brazil we spent on a ranch. I'll keep this short as I could go on about this forever as I loved it so much. The first day we went Piranha fishing, and I managed to catch two, the first time I have ever been fishing, and we ate them for dinner. For both nights we all slept in the same room, mostly bunks, that was an experience. The second day we went trekking through the jungle to try and spot some wildlife, but all we found were Toucans and Monkeys. After lunch we did the thing I was dreading: horse riding. Anyone that knows me knows I don't like horses, but after getting on my wonky-eared horse and realised I could control him, I ended up loving it. I was often found jogging (I know thats not the right word but I dont know my horse terms) off infront of everyone. This became the highlight of the three days for me. At night, we went spot lighting for wildlife and found pretty much FA.
The final day everybody except myself went on a boat ride. I was feeling abit under the weather, and 3 days later I am no better. We set off for Bonito that day.
Day 50
Bonito is a deserted tourist town, its the weekend and its dead, it makes no sense. Some people went snorkeling but I stayed behind due to still being ill.
Day 51
A free day in Bonito, going to watch the Brazil match (playing Venezuala in the SA cup). Then tonight a trip to the largest waterfalls in the world, where we will spend two nights. Iguazu Falls is actually spread across a larger distance than Niagra, and it splits up Brazil and Argentina. We will spend one day in Argentina, so an extra stamp in the quickly filling passport.
A free day in Santa Cruz so me, Erin, Nic and Lupe went to the Zoo, which was so new that it wasn't even finished. I saw my first ever armadillo and now its my new favourtie animal. That night we set off for Brazil.
Days 47, 48 & 49
Our first 3 days in Brazil we spent on a ranch. I'll keep this short as I could go on about this forever as I loved it so much. The first day we went Piranha fishing, and I managed to catch two, the first time I have ever been fishing, and we ate them for dinner. For both nights we all slept in the same room, mostly bunks, that was an experience. The second day we went trekking through the jungle to try and spot some wildlife, but all we found were Toucans and Monkeys. After lunch we did the thing I was dreading: horse riding. Anyone that knows me knows I don't like horses, but after getting on my wonky-eared horse and realised I could control him, I ended up loving it. I was often found jogging (I know thats not the right word but I dont know my horse terms) off infront of everyone. This became the highlight of the three days for me. At night, we went spot lighting for wildlife and found pretty much FA.
The final day everybody except myself went on a boat ride. I was feeling abit under the weather, and 3 days later I am no better. We set off for Bonito that day.
Day 50
Bonito is a deserted tourist town, its the weekend and its dead, it makes no sense. Some people went snorkeling but I stayed behind due to still being ill.
Day 51
A free day in Bonito, going to watch the Brazil match (playing Venezuala in the SA cup). Then tonight a trip to the largest waterfalls in the world, where we will spend two nights. Iguazu Falls is actually spread across a larger distance than Niagra, and it splits up Brazil and Argentina. We will spend one day in Argentina, so an extra stamp in the quickly filling passport.
Monday, 27 June 2011
I Can't Believe They Ate my Oreos
Days 41 & 42
We arrive in a Potosi, a town that is actually quite pleasant - i didn't think there was such a thing in Bolivia. We arrive in the afternoon and have little time to explore the place. The second day, we went on a trip to the mines. Potosi was the richest city in the world when it was originally built, because of the mountain there which was rich in silver. now however, its mines are almost dry, yet thousands of miners, some of which are just children, work there. The mountain is known as 'the mountain that eats men' because 8 million men have lost their lives working there. And what i didn't realise until after i went in there was that 16 tourists had been killed in there in the past 3 years. If i knew that i might have decided about going in. The mine was incredibly cramped and we had to climb up a whole only just bigger than my body, so small infact that our hats didn't fit through it. I have to admit, I really didn't enjoy the experience, but i'm glad i did it. The worst part of the trip was when they decided to blow up dynamite without telling us they were going to do it. The whole mine shook and for a second we all thought we were goners, it really was a horrible experience.
Day 43 & 44
Arriving in Sucre, the capital of Bolivia, was again a surprise as it was a beautiful place. We did little here, except have a night out, watch the new pirates film and had a night under the stars chatting all night. We were told to rest as the next few days would be fairly stressful. I loved these two days, especially the nights, it was great to get to know everyone so much better. A few of us also went to a dinosaur museum which was just, simply, a con. but we laughed all the way through it. I also left my Oreo's in my pigeon whole which the reception staff decided to eat that night, which I wasn't pleased about.
Day 45
A short plane journey took us to Santa Cruz, where I am as I write this. Tomorrow we head out of Bolivia and into Brazil. The hot weather starts here. I will not have any internet or phone reception for 3 days for reasons which will be explained in my next post
We arrive in a Potosi, a town that is actually quite pleasant - i didn't think there was such a thing in Bolivia. We arrive in the afternoon and have little time to explore the place. The second day, we went on a trip to the mines. Potosi was the richest city in the world when it was originally built, because of the mountain there which was rich in silver. now however, its mines are almost dry, yet thousands of miners, some of which are just children, work there. The mountain is known as 'the mountain that eats men' because 8 million men have lost their lives working there. And what i didn't realise until after i went in there was that 16 tourists had been killed in there in the past 3 years. If i knew that i might have decided about going in. The mine was incredibly cramped and we had to climb up a whole only just bigger than my body, so small infact that our hats didn't fit through it. I have to admit, I really didn't enjoy the experience, but i'm glad i did it. The worst part of the trip was when they decided to blow up dynamite without telling us they were going to do it. The whole mine shook and for a second we all thought we were goners, it really was a horrible experience.
Day 43 & 44
Arriving in Sucre, the capital of Bolivia, was again a surprise as it was a beautiful place. We did little here, except have a night out, watch the new pirates film and had a night under the stars chatting all night. We were told to rest as the next few days would be fairly stressful. I loved these two days, especially the nights, it was great to get to know everyone so much better. A few of us also went to a dinosaur museum which was just, simply, a con. but we laughed all the way through it. I also left my Oreo's in my pigeon whole which the reception staff decided to eat that night, which I wasn't pleased about.
Day 45
A short plane journey took us to Santa Cruz, where I am as I write this. Tomorrow we head out of Bolivia and into Brazil. The hot weather starts here. I will not have any internet or phone reception for 3 days for reasons which will be explained in my next post
Thursday, 23 June 2011
The New Group and Further into Bolivia
Days 36 & 37
Another two days in La Paz, not much worth mentioning as its a shithole, except for the new group. I've warmed much more to Lupe now, but she does have a very relaxed way of being our leader, not what we're used to. So the new group consists of Ricardo and Mafalda; they got married two weeks ago and this is their honeymoon, they are from Portugal and speak great Spanish which is coming in very handy, although their English isn't great so there are some language barriers. They both seem very nice though, and Ricardo can be a good laugh. There is also Nicole, from Switzerland, who I still havn't got my head around yet, even after 5 days. Lastly there is Erin, from Australia who is always cheerful and friendly. Overall, a good bunch, and i'm sure we'll all become alot closer than we currently are.
Days 38, 39 & 40
An overnight train from La Paz brought us to Uyuni, where we started our 3 day trip across the Salt Lake and Bolivian desert. Uyuni very closely resembles what you would picture Afghanistan to look like, but we wern't there long. There were 4 different groups combined for this trip, which included some young guys who were a hoot. For the 3 days, we were travelling in 4x4, except that in the one I was in for the entire trip, only the back wheels worked. This meant that we constantly got stuck, in snow, the salt etc, which spoilt the trip considerably. I have many pictures of us being bogged. For the first day, we visited the Salt Lake, which is an amazing spectacle, and spent the night is a hotel made of salt. I have little to say about all 3 days as the pictures will, in this case, explain everything much better.
The second day we headed up to 5000 meters where we saw many frozen lakes and travelled across the mountains, mostly in the snow. That night we slept at minus 15 degrees!
The third day was mostly travelling, with a couple of stops for a lake which was bright pink, and my personal highlight for the 3 day trip, the train cemetery. Here, trains of 100 years old have been left in the desert after they have no use anymore. We learnt about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid who ended up being killed here in Bolivia. The cemetery was quite a sad place really, and the little boy inside me loved it and hated it at the same time. I really can't find the right word to describe it. We spent that night in Uyuni again.
Another two days in La Paz, not much worth mentioning as its a shithole, except for the new group. I've warmed much more to Lupe now, but she does have a very relaxed way of being our leader, not what we're used to. So the new group consists of Ricardo and Mafalda; they got married two weeks ago and this is their honeymoon, they are from Portugal and speak great Spanish which is coming in very handy, although their English isn't great so there are some language barriers. They both seem very nice though, and Ricardo can be a good laugh. There is also Nicole, from Switzerland, who I still havn't got my head around yet, even after 5 days. Lastly there is Erin, from Australia who is always cheerful and friendly. Overall, a good bunch, and i'm sure we'll all become alot closer than we currently are.
Days 38, 39 & 40
An overnight train from La Paz brought us to Uyuni, where we started our 3 day trip across the Salt Lake and Bolivian desert. Uyuni very closely resembles what you would picture Afghanistan to look like, but we wern't there long. There were 4 different groups combined for this trip, which included some young guys who were a hoot. For the 3 days, we were travelling in 4x4, except that in the one I was in for the entire trip, only the back wheels worked. This meant that we constantly got stuck, in snow, the salt etc, which spoilt the trip considerably. I have many pictures of us being bogged. For the first day, we visited the Salt Lake, which is an amazing spectacle, and spent the night is a hotel made of salt. I have little to say about all 3 days as the pictures will, in this case, explain everything much better.
The second day we headed up to 5000 meters where we saw many frozen lakes and travelled across the mountains, mostly in the snow. That night we slept at minus 15 degrees!
The third day was mostly travelling, with a couple of stops for a lake which was bright pink, and my personal highlight for the 3 day trip, the train cemetery. Here, trains of 100 years old have been left in the desert after they have no use anymore. We learnt about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid who ended up being killed here in Bolivia. The cemetery was quite a sad place really, and the little boy inside me loved it and hated it at the same time. I really can't find the right word to describe it. We spent that night in Uyuni again.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Bolivia and the Emotions
Day 33
Welcome to Bolivia. No more Peru means no more Pisco! Sad face. We started in Copacabana (not that one) which is the shittest place I've been yet, and the biggest waste of time. It was also the most horrible hotel i've ever stayed in, we stayed a night and I couldn't wait to leave.
Days 34 & 35
We headed to La Paz, the unofficial capital of Bolivia. There are two rules you have to obey to survive in La Paz. 1. Don't get run over. 2. Don't breath. La Paz is purely cars, vans and buses and all the fumes that come with it. If I come home with lung cancer, you know why. I'm here for 4 nights, two with my original group and Ferny, and two with my new group, and my new leader Lupe. As I write this, we've just had our farewell dinner, and it was a little emotional, I can't believe the first tour has ended already. I should explain, my trip consists of two different trips put together, and only myself, Leonie and Bron are doing both. I will miss everyone on my tour; Amy, Yetti, Wendy, Vanda and Murry, and our fearless leader Fernando. These 2 free days in La Paz puts me half way through my trip, and as I feel at the moment, I never want it to end. I've loved every second so far. Even when we go to shit places we always have a laugh.
Tomorrow night we have our first meeting with our new leader, Lupe, and 4 new people will be joining us. I will let you know what they are like. My emotions are running wild tonight, I never thought I'd be like this and become so attached to everyone.
Tomorrow is a whole new day. And a whole new journey.
Welcome to Bolivia. No more Peru means no more Pisco! Sad face. We started in Copacabana (not that one) which is the shittest place I've been yet, and the biggest waste of time. It was also the most horrible hotel i've ever stayed in, we stayed a night and I couldn't wait to leave.
Days 34 & 35
We headed to La Paz, the unofficial capital of Bolivia. There are two rules you have to obey to survive in La Paz. 1. Don't get run over. 2. Don't breath. La Paz is purely cars, vans and buses and all the fumes that come with it. If I come home with lung cancer, you know why. I'm here for 4 nights, two with my original group and Ferny, and two with my new group, and my new leader Lupe. As I write this, we've just had our farewell dinner, and it was a little emotional, I can't believe the first tour has ended already. I should explain, my trip consists of two different trips put together, and only myself, Leonie and Bron are doing both. I will miss everyone on my tour; Amy, Yetti, Wendy, Vanda and Murry, and our fearless leader Fernando. These 2 free days in La Paz puts me half way through my trip, and as I feel at the moment, I never want it to end. I've loved every second so far. Even when we go to shit places we always have a laugh.
Tomorrow night we have our first meeting with our new leader, Lupe, and 4 new people will be joining us. I will let you know what they are like. My emotions are running wild tonight, I never thought I'd be like this and become so attached to everyone.
Tomorrow is a whole new day. And a whole new journey.
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