Hola,

Hope everyone is OK. I hear its quite mild in England so hopefully I won`t completely die when I get back.

Well, we`re still having a great time with Becky and Sheila and you lonsdale people, i`ve also met up with Rebecca.

Last time I wrote we were still in Rio. Well, we left Rio the following day for Ilha Grande, the tropical island that I went to with Poo. First we nearly missed the boat AGAIN but this time not because I was too busy eating. I was actually doing something useful, ie: booking bus tickets. Anyway, we made the boat with about 2 seconds to spare and chilled out for the 90 minute journey. About halfway I realised i`d forgotton to tell the girls that there are NO cashpoints whatsoever on Ilha Grande. Oops, turns out none of them had any cash. I had withdrawn a load that morning but spent it on bus tickets. We were trying not to panic but were seriously worried. We didn`t even have enough to pay for a hostel.

Anyway, we found a hostel and she let us put down a deposit which was good of her.At least we could stay one night. We then scraped together our change and managed to go for the cheapest dinner ever! We decided we needed to come up with a plan to make money. We went to our room and decided singing and/or dancing in the main square would be our best bet. (Even though none of us can sing or dance!) We also tried to think of things we could sell but seems between us, we don`t really have anything of value. Anyway, we practiced a few songs and then decided a 30 min power nap was needed before going out. Even though we set an alarm, we all somehow managed to sleep through it and woke up at 2am slightly confused. So much for our money making!!

The next morning, we decided that a more practical plan would be to try and change some English money that I had and if not, i`d have to go back to the mainland and get cash. I didn`t mind too much as i`d already seen the island but I would have been disappointed. It seemed we couldn`t get the money changed so I went to queue for the boat when I saw Becky running across the pier to tell me that we could change it after all, even though the exchange rate was shocking and we still only had just enough. At least it meant I didn`t have to spend the day in the bank while the others sunbathed. We did the 3 hour trek again through the rainforest to Lopes Mendes. The beach is beautiful but last time we went, it started raining the minute we set foot on the beach.

The walk actually seemed slightly easier this time. Maybe because I was mentally prepared unlike last time. We finally arrived at the beach and it was glorius sunshine and about 100 degrees. It was so nice to see the beach in th esun. Poo, I took pictures for you!!! The sea is so nice there too, warm and the waves are huge. We did have a near drowning incident. I looked across while we were all messing about in the sea to see Becky literally dragging Michelle back to the shore. Turns out she was having an asthma and panic attack in the sea and Becky was literally having to hold her up. Sheila did a baywatch style dash across the beach to get Shell`s inhaler. Becky was panicking like mad until I pointed out that we were actually in shallow water and they could put their feet down. :-) Poor Becky had been struggling to drag her to the shore. Anyway, it was very scary at the time but i`m pleased to say she was fine after a few minutes and we had a really nice afternoon sunbathing. We got the boat back to the main part of the island. No way we were doing the 3hour walk back,.

The hostel that we stayed at last time was having a big bbq so we went there for dinner. The guy who owns it is so chilled out, he just let us plug our Ipods into the stereo and do what we want basically. I think the poor Brazillian barman was very confused to see us all dancing around like nutters to Arctic Monkeys and we are scientists. He even got his phone out and started videoing us. I don`t think he`s used to moshing!!

That night, we went into the main square where there was a band playing. Thats what is so great about Brazil. There`s always something happening, a band playing in the street or people dancing samba. There is such a good atmosphere. We were like the little charity cases. Everyone knew we didn`t have any money so we got bought, crisps, beer, water and even cake. It was great and we decided we quite liked this new style of budgeting!!! :-)

The next day we got the boat back to the mainland and got a bus down to Iguassu. The journey wasn`t too bad and once again I got loads of sleep. I love Brazillian buses!!! When we arrived at the bus station in Iguassu, we`d been travelling for 30 hours in total. We were hot, smelly and very tired but we decided to go straight to the Brazillian side of the falls so that we could get to Buenos Aires sooner. We did the Brazillian side of the falls. They`re really good for an overview though nowhere near as stunning as the Argentinian side.

We went to my favourite Steak house ever for dinner. Stu, Poo and Claire...yes my steak was as good as last time!!! Next day we did the Argentinian side. I won`t go on about it again but safe to say it was as amazing as last time and the boat ride was even better as he took us under the falls about 5 times.

We met Rebecca at Iguassu and she did the falls too and decided to travel with us to Buenos Aires. The following day, we flew back to Buenos Aires. We couldn`t face another long bus journey so soon and the flight was only 50 pounds. (Claire, I think we were ripped off last time)

We are now back in Buenos Aires. I love this city soooo much!! We all want to move here. The area we are staying in is so nice and i`d forgotton how cheap it is here. It is ridiculous. We spent yesterday just shopping and had a very long lunch. Our hostel has a roof terrace so we had wine on the terrace and then went for dinner.

Shell flies home Friday, can`t believe how quickly her 3 weeks has gone. She really doesn`t want to go. Especially as Saturday we are going to see Bocca Juniors against River Plate and she really wants to go.

Well, sorry for rambling yet again. Will let you know how the footy match goes.

Also - sorry for the delay in replying to emails. Didn`t have internet access for almost a week.

Speak soon

Lisa

xx