So, we are now in Montevideo in Uruguay. we got here on the 28th Feb and it has rained for the last 5 days constantly!

however, before we came to uruguay we went to the Brasil Cup Final between Botafogo and Flemengo at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, the biggest stadium in the world!!! It was for the equivilant of the FA cup final in England!

The game itself was amazing! Botafogo, a small middle table club, similar status to Portsmouth, were playing against Flamengo (the United or Arsenal of Brasil). we were in the Botafogo end - always support the underdog! the stadium packed in 100,000 people in the stands with a further 20,000 in the boxes - 75,000 were flamengo fans!

However, botafogo took a first half lead and went in at the break 1-0 to the good. BELTIN!!! The crowd were doing samba and jumping like crazy! the stadium was literally moving beneath our feet! in the second half botafogo gave away a penalty and received a red card, flamengo equalised! 1-1. then 2 players had a massive barney and we saw a south american punch up! another player from botafogo was sent off, and a flamengo player. 10 against 9.

in the 3rd minute of the 5 minutes of injury time, flamengo grabbed another goal to make it 2-1.

in the 4th minute of injury time, botafogo number 9 was clean through 1 on 1 only to sky the ball over the bar! and in the very last kick of the game, botafogo hit the post from a header!!

the game was literally the best game i have ever seen! and the atmosphere was electric! can not wait to go to the argentine derby of Boca vrs River plate! will be crazy!

so arrived in uruguay and it has rained for the last 4 days, pretty much solid. had an hour of 30 degree sun though from which i topped up the tan (or got burnt, depends on how you look at it. personally i think red suits me).

went to the zoo, beltin! and all the other sites such as the old city gate. when the country gained independence they knocked down the city wall that was surrounding montevideo, and they left the portal stranding to commemerate the event! the clubbing here is really good also. clubs open at 12am and close at 7am at the earliest! also the steaks are amazing! a 15 ounce steak for 3 quid! beltin!

tomorrow however we leave for argentina and buenos aires for the next part of the adventure!