So, I´m in Brazil now and loving it so far.

I spent the first couple of days in Rio, and fitted in lots of fun experiences - despite the extreme randomness of the weather. On my first day there was 35 degree sunshine all day and I got well burnt, then monsoon rain and wind caused flash floods in the early evening?! I arrived at lunchtime and spent the day exploring Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, meeting several friendly Brazilians who were keen to show me around, then met up with the group I´m travelling with in the evening and we went to a restaurant where they feed you such a huge amount of meat I´m half surprised the taxi home could still move with us in it!

The next morning I went on a favela tour in an area controlled by ADA (Amigos Do Amigos) - one of the gangs in Rio. It was fascinating seeing how tightly they keep a hold over it, and how the power revolves around the drugs. We got motortaxis (literally, sitting on the back of a bike driven around/over any obstacles by one of the men from the favela - bit hairraising, but mostly hilarious!) up to the top. The favela is on a huge hill - and on the way we could see the checkpoints where the gang look out for police trying to enter so they can shoot them before they get in... The guards also put up fireworks so that the whole gang know. Our local guide, Marcio, told us that once when he was inside the favelha the police raided it - they had a helicopter above and cars and people on the ground. Soldiers for the ADA tried to shoot down the helicopter! I think he got out of there pretty quick - thats a dangerous place to be, and often innocent people get caught in teh crossfire. When the police stay away the favelha felt pretty safe actually, and the people were lovely. Most of them have nothing to do with the gangs, and go about their lives normally. Many have small businesses inside so people don´t have to leave the favelha to get things they need, and there are schools and a health centre inside too.

In the afternoon we went to an opening game of the football season, watching Flamengo play Boa Vista at the Maracona stadium. The atmosphere was amazing! We downed several beers sold by men who walk among the crowd bringing you refreshments and got fully involved, dancing and singing with the best of them!