I arrived in Rio very excited. This is the start of my trip around the world. Rio De Janeiro is one of the main citys in Brazil although it is not the capital. The capital of Brazil is Brazilia.

Rio is an amazing city with fantastic views. There are rock formations jutting out of the sea everywhere and there are mountains and hills everywhere.

I visited the Christ Redeemer Statue which is very famous. It was voted one of the new wonders of the world in 2007. The statue was built as a symbol protecting the people of Rio and to mark 100 years of independence/freedom from slavery. The views were spectacular and the Statue was amazing to see so close. It is the 5th biggest statue of Jesus in the world.

Sugar loaf mountain was a great experience. I went by cable car up to the top of the mountain, saw the sun set over the city. This was an incredibley beautiful sight.

I also experienced some Samba dancing which is very popular in Brazil. This was brilliant fun. There is a big festival held here every year called 'Carnival'. Here the people of brazil crown a Carnival queen, there is lots of Samba dancing at this festival.

Rio also holds the biggest rainforest within a city. This forest is called the Tijuca forest.

'Flavelas' are the gettos in Brazil where alot of the population live. I took a tour of the largest Flavela in Brazil which is like something I'd never seen before. People live in self made houses and they are unbelievably close together. If there are more people in the the family they build up another level and the people who are living behind them can't see anything when they look out their windows. If they want a view they must build up another level. It's crazy! Most of the people who live in the Flavela's live in extreme poverty. It makes me feel very lucky to live in Ireland and not want for anything.

From Rio I will be visiting Paraty and then onto Sao Paulo from Sao Paulo I will being going to the Iguazu falls, another one of the new seven wonders of the world. I am very excited to see them.

Hi to all my friends in Berrings! :-)