The promised land of caipirinhas and havaianas!

We are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! The days here just flew by so fast... Tomorrow we are already moving on south - to Ilha Grande!

Caipirinhas only cost 1,5 euros here, so I am used to my daily dose of caipirinha! We are staying just two blocks from Ipanema beach in a really cute place with a courtyard. It is really hot, so we have not really felt like eating much here... Yesterday we only ate two bananas and four paistries, and that´s the dose of food four BOTH of us in just one day! Today was the first time we really had a real dinner! Tomppa thinks he has lost almost 10 kilos here... But I think he is exaggerating, even though he looks a bit skinny now I have to admit...

We visited the Jesus - statue on Corcovado yesterday! It is the second biggest statue in the world, after Statue of Liberty! It is 30 metres high and 28 metres wide from fingertip to fingertip! And up there you could see the view of Rio - NICE! We also visited an old artist by the name of Selaron, and this amazing staircase that he has decorated! We got to meet the artist himself, and he was quite the character!

Today we went to see a real Brazilian football game, Fluminense vs. Macaé! The atmosphere was really something and the crowd was on fire cheering for their team! Fluminense won this game 3 - 1...

The difference between the rich and the poor is enormous here! Lots of poor favelas in many corners, next to 5 star hotels and beautiful villas! We have felt totally safe here, even though there really are some dodgy areas around and you should avoid walking alone after dark. But locals have told us what areas to avoid and when, so there has been no problem! Our hostel Casa 6 Ipanema, which we booked via KILROY, is on a great location really close to the lovely Ipanema beach! Breakfast is included - but you have to make it yourself! They bring fresh fruit, bread, ham, cheese and eggs in the morning to the fridge in the kitchen... and you can make your own morning juice from fresh fruits with their juice blender - I like!

We have now been travelling for almost over 4 months and still 2 months to go here in South America! Time flies when you are having fun...