I've put Ilha do Mel as the location, but we're actually back in Paranagua having returned from "Paradise". Ilha do Mel was indeed lovely, but did have its small downsides - I managed to have a small but vicious version of a wasp fall down my top on the first day we arrived there and sting me - its obviously quite a common occurrence cos a waiter came running at me with a bottle of alcohol to treat the sting, but for obvious reasons I wasn't too keen to let him h...

This time we're in Paranagua, a little seaside town in Parana state and the supposed final destination of Latin America's most remarkable train journey. Unfortunately, the train actually dropped us off in the godforsaken hole of Morretes, and we had to get yet another bus to get to Paranaguá. But we made it, and the train ride was enjoyable, if a little repetitive and not really that different to the views of forests and hills that we've seen on our various ...

Well, here we are in yet another destination! We're getting good at this travelling lark now - 6 hour bus journeys are no longer a dread, more a good excuse for an air-conditioned nap! Although, speaking of air conditioning, its not really necessary at the moment, sadly the sun has decided to take a break and is refusing to come back out! Thankfully we do seem to have left the rain behind in Paraty, but its not the warmest when its overcast! (I know, I know.....

Firstly, I?d just like to point out that I know I?m going on a bit, and writing nearly every day, so I don?t expect you all to read every word I write! (except you Mum and Dad, I expect you to hang on to my every word!). I?m probably getting more fun from writing it than you all from reading it, as I?ll have lots of nice memories to look back on! Spent thursday on a nice little boat trip around the many islands in Paraty Bay. Not quite what we?d expected,...

An important lesson was learnt today - rubber flip flops are apparently NOT suitable footwear for walking through the Brazilian rainforest. Its good advice - trust me! Today has been an amazing day - we went on the waterfalls tour from Paraty. It was mildly concerning at the beginning when we realised we had two guides for just the 3 of us, and that neither of them spoke English, but its amazing how far you can get with Spanish, a few words of Portugues an...