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Hola from Brazil!!
We're writing to you all from our Hostel in Foz do Iguacu.
Since we arrived exactly 2 weeks ago (has it been that long already?!) we've covered a fair bit of Brazil!
We started our on-a-shoestring backpacking tour at the Copacabana Palace in Rio...needless to say it was 3 days of pure luxury and a real treat! Although, we did get quite a few looks as we walked in with our backpacks do we didn't really feel like high-fliers there!!
It was sooo great to feel the heat of Rio, so much so that we just spent the next three days doing b***** all except walking, laying or drinking on the beach. We met honorary Brazilians, Richard and Eva who were great enough to not only show us around but also put us up once we left the palace...hostels put on hold for a few more days!! :-)
We did a favela tour which was really interesting but not half as daunting as you might think. Most of the favelas have now been pacified and are generally safe so it was very good to have the history explained to us.
The weather turned pretty cloudy and wet (still 25 degrees or so) so we weren't able to do the trip up to Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) or Corcovado (where the Christ the Redeemer statue is) but we plan on doing those trips when we come back to Rio for Carnival when the weather should be better.
Another must see is Rio's nightlife and in particular the Scenarium. It's a really cool and buzzing bar/restaurant with live Samba music and packed with locals and tourist. Plus the Caipirihna's were lethal!! Also another place recommended by Jays friend Pedro was place was Porcao which is a traditional brazilian all-you-can-eat restaurant! Great food (not too salty either Steve!!) but you have to starve yourself for a week beforehand to really get your money's worth!
Overall, we really enjoyed Rio and felt completely safe despite all the warnings from you scaredy-cats! Gorgeous beaches, fantastic views but blady expensive on a backpackers budget!!
We left Rio and headed down to Sao Paulo where Jay made a new buddy, Fabio, the owner of the hostel. It was a really cool, chilled out place with great locals...the perfect way to start our 'backpacking'!! Sao Paulo is a really cool city, absolutely massive. It felt a lot more relaxed than Rio, maybe cause its lest touristic and more of a true insight into Brazilian city life! We had a crazy night out (you 'VIPs' would be proud....and didn't see Nicky the next day as a result!
Next night Jay offered to cook everyone at the hostel a curry, partly cause he felt bad about Fabios disastrous attempt at cooking us a meal the previous night, and also i think he was craving a bit of spice!! It went down an absolute treat....and got us a free meal which was a bonus!!
We left Sao Paulo after 3 days there and came here to Foz do Iguacu which is the gateway to one of the most spectacular natural wonders you're likely to see, the Iguacu Falls. Those who have been here won't disagree, I'm sure!
We spent two days visiting the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the falls. Both sides were amazing with the argie side just shaving it for us cause of the shear number of different waterfalls and perspectives from which you can see them! They truly are breathtaking when you see the shear force of the water combined with the beautiful rainbows that are formed from the mist! Wait for the pics!! We also treated ourselves to a boat ride which took us upto and under two of the biggest falls.
We're heading off today to a town in the Amazonas called Manaus from where we'll spend a week in the Amazon Rainforest! Lots of wildlife, lots of sun and lots of bugs to look forward too!!
We'll get some pics up as soon as we can get onto a computer and we'll try to blog again soon.
Love to you all.
Nic and Jay
- comments
Kirsty Sounds good guys! Keep the blogs coming...cnt wait to see the pics xxx
Lynz Wow sounds like your having an amazing time, like kirst says keep the blogs coming x x x
Dad Sooooooo envious....xxx
Mum & Dad Sounds good , have a good time . You both are very lucky .We are missing You already . Love from , Mum & Dad
Mummy and Steve Sounds like your having a whale of a time, hope you save some money to do maid of the mist boat ride, hope you've remembered the malaria tablets, keep safe , love you both Mum and Steve xxxx
Brian Sounds amazing guys! Very interested to hear more about Jay's new buddy Fabio....sounds like the full story hasn't be told :-) Keep safe and Enjoy!
Lynds Personally, I think that all sounds a bit boring! Give me the police sirens of Acton High Street and the rain/6 degree temperatures of London any day over that!!! (Jealous and bitter!) x x x
nimi Its sound so amazing,u guys definately having fun,i am solo happy but bit jealous,anyways enjoy ur trip n be safe.missing u loads.take care. Hey Nims. We are having lots of fun. Pleased we are able to go swimming at the beach rather than put jumpers on :-) hope all family is well. Love Nic and jay xx