Eye totally closed up yesterday which was fun!! Strange how people talk to you without mentioning anything about it and then when you say what happened they act as if they had just noticed!! Just been up to the Christ Redeemer which was breathtaking. Took a train up there. Am just about getting by with no knowledge of Portugese, worked out that train noises and arm movements just about gets you by. (They probably could speak English all along but were winding me ...

Okay well this is not a good look. Have been eaten alive by mossies and now my face looks like the elephant man and my arm looks like the trunk. At least now I am scaring off anyone who watns to rob me!! Oh well. Went to Favelas yesterday afternoon (the getto) we were told that if we saw anyone with guns or walkie talkies then we were to hide our cameras. Was really fascinating. Kids fly kites made of glass and glue to cut the kite string of other gangs kites. Ki...

Finally here, 33 degrees, beautiful sandy beaches and I have made friends already. Met 2 English guys, 1 English girl and an Ozzy girl at the airport. Would have been sitting with them but was told by the FA that apparently I was in the wrong seat as he marched me down to sit in business (fully reclinable beds!!) Although I did get a few stares from people who had obviously paid the extra money. The many Kia Royales helped the nerves and without no time I had arr...