Hey everyone!

Sorry for the delayed blog entry from Rio, but the city has been so amazing and there is so much we have been cramming in over the last few days that we have had very little time to ut our feet up! Anyway, here is a brief description of what we have been up to...

The first couple of days that we were here we a little cloudier than we hoped so we postponed our trip up to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf mountain until today so we could get the best views! On friday night we went to a street party in Lapa (the red light district of Rio!) which was fantastic fun, and afterwards we went to a samba club where there was a live band playing (I have since purchased the cd so you can have a listen t it when i am home in july!). Yesturday we went to a lovely hippie market in Ipanema where there was a vast array of locally crafted goods, from jewellery to canvases etc. Then yesturday afternoon we went to a football match between Botafogo (the biggest rio team) and Sport (a team from the north of Brazil). It was great to be in the thick of the action and it was a superb atmosphere, despite a power cut when the flood lights went out and play was suspended. Botafogo won 2-0 so the fans our end were delighted.

Today we have crammed so much in! We went on a tour of Rocinha, the biggest favela (shanty town) in Rio - which was definately a highlight of the trip so far for me! Having learnt so much about these slums in geography lessons it was totally different to what we imagined. We took motorbikes up to the top of the shanty town and then worked our way down through the narrow streets by foot - absolutely undescribable! This afternoon we went up to see Christ the Redeemer, and Sugar loaf mountain. Both viewpoints offered spectacular views of the city below, especially at sunset on sugarloaf. Rio is definately a city of two halves between rich and poor but we have felt much safer here than the guide books would suggest and the city is nothing but fantastic. Photos to follow tomorow hopefully!

Thanks again for all the emails and messages you have been sending. We miss everyone loads bt are looking forward to our next adventure in Santiago, Chile! We fly from Rio to Chile on wednesday lunchtime, so tomorow is definately a beach day after the last few days being so hectic!

Lots of love from

Sarah & Annie

xxxx