Hello from Rio! It is very hot here, infact they even say it is too hot. Some days reach 40 degrees celcius with high humidity. We arrived here last night after spending two days in Ilha Grande.

9th Feb: we began our journey to Ilha Grande on a public bus then a quick lunch break before a public ferry. We arrived in round 5pm and had some free time before dinner. I simply had a look around some shops and showered and rested. We met for dinner at 7:30 and the interesting night started. A few of us went to a seafood place on the beach and enjoyed giant shrimp before the bad weather started. It started as just thunder and lightning and then the lights went out and the rain started. We moved inside and ate by candle light. This was fine except one of the girls was supposed to show up for dinner andshe didn't. Her travel partner spent a few hours scouring the town ooking for her. We didnt really start to get too concerned until time got on a bit more. We sent out a search party and they found her about 3 hours after she hd gone missing. She was drenched from the rain and had gotten caught in the storm a wee way from the hotel. She had planned to wait the storm out but it just didnt stop. Luckily she was fine.

10th feb: walked to Lopez mendez beach today. The walk there is two and a half hours and the rain made the track very slippery. A fw times we thought we were at the beach but we werent. Once we rached it we knew we were there. It is the most beautiful beach I have seen and is one of the most beautiful in the world. White sands, clear water, good waves not too many people. Spent the day here swimming and got the boat back at 4pm.

11th Feb: traveled o Rio today. Got in around 4pm and had a look around city. Staying in Copacabana for one night. Beautiful beach and views of Corcovado. Buffet dinner and Caprihinias on the beach!

12th Feb: Last day with group today, everyone is departing. Had a relaxing morning after staying up late watching Notting Hill. Checked out. Got my Carnava tickets. Walk along Copacabana beach and getting ready now to move to hostel in Santa Teresa.

Only 5 days left after today. Yikes!