Action packed day today. U ready ? Left the hostel early doors with our guide Eduardo and an Irish couple called Rob and Anne. First stop was Tijuca National Park on the other side of Rio past the Rochino Favela. Then came a 30 minute hike up a 1,200m mountain called Pedro Bonita. This was done in 35c heat and a tight white t-shirt, neither conducive to the task ahead. Walked through jungle-esque surroundings and I even found the one mosquito in Rio related to Mike Tyson who did me one in the neck on my jugular. Safe !!! When we eventually reached the top it was amazing, found views all along the coast of Rio from Copacabana down through Ipanema and beyond. Also found a mountain with a mans face on the side, we climbed higher than the handgliders who were taking off below us across the bay. To give you an idea we were level with the statue of the Redeemer. Fantastic ! I will never forget it, well worth all the sweat and grime to get there. Next Eduardo who spoke excellent English and loved football (could it get better) took us to the Christ. Forget T.V. you aint seen it until you've been there. It moved me and that aint easy, it was just so surreal to be standing beneath that iconic statue with the views all over the whole of Rio. Photos a plenty. Searched high and low for that damn thimble that Joe and Robyn left, no chance. I was ducking and diving between pillar after pillar, I'm sure the guards thought I was planting something ! Left the Redeemer behind and travelled to Santa Theresa which is part of the artistic, colonial part of Rio. Saw where Ronnie "The Robber" Biggs used to live. Had lunch in this area which is where the Carnival begins in February. Eduardo then took us to the Steps of Lapa where U2 and Snoop have filmed music videos, met the guy who made the steps. He smashes different coloured pieces of pottery from all over the world and randomly designs different bits. (see photos) Had to leave out and get ready for a night time visit to Lapa which is at the bottom of a favela and has street parties every Friday night. Street vendors sell a local drink called Cachaca made from sugar cane, mixed with lime and sugar. These badboys are called Capriana's and are lethal. You get a half pint plastic cup and it might as well be full of vodka. They sell them for around 70p. I got fooked and so did Skids. Went into a hip-hop club which looked like someone had opened up a lock-up garage for the night. It was naughty apart from there were around 300 peeps in the space designed for around 50. Ripped from there and went into another club next door and danced it till dawn. From there I went to the beach at Ipanema to watch the sunrise with Mel from Australia. Not sure what happened to PJ. This is going to be a long 6 months but I'm sure going to enjoy it if everyday is going to start like this one................