Good Evening blog readers it´s time for your net fix and the eagerly anticipated blog from Rio (It´s a long one so get comfortable!!)

Day 1- So arrived on Monday following a very smooth journey from Ilha Grande (thanks to the American dude ´Tom´). Checked into our hostel in Ipanema and spent the first afternoon walking along the beach and checking out the scenery (beach volleyball is captivating in Rio I must say!). On the first evening met some chicks from Wimbledon and a couple from Newcastle along with some rowdy swedes and went to a bar for a few beverages!

Day 2- Was a very enjoyable day! We splept in and nursed a minor hangover then wandered down to Ipanema beach again and had a bit of a swim. The waves here are absolutely crazy they are out 10ft high and smash you all over the place. Another perk of the beach is that these dudes are continuoulsy coming up to you asking if you want anything ´so your basically waited on, brilliant! Stayed there for a few hours then headed back to the hostel and watched the Liverpool game in the bar next door it was only 4.30pm over here... bloody great game too! Chilled out in the evening and got an early night!

Day 3- Decided we need to do a little bit of touristy stuff so headed over to Copacabana and hit the tourist information office was very helpful! First port of call was Santa Teresa which the Lonely Planets guide describes using many positive adjectives to lure you there... not worth it! Had to navigate our way there using the public bus and were told to be careful of gun wielding muggers in centro which filled us both with confidence!! The journey from centro to Santa Teresa was pretty cool crossing an old aquaduct on an old school swiss type tram! Other than that not much else to report. In the evening we went to watch Fluminese at the Maracana and had been told to get there 3 hrs before the game to buy tickets! We followed this advice and found ourtselves sitting in a completely empty stadium watching the reserves play a full game (we were both convinced it was the actual game and I was devasted that there were only 200 fans there!). Slowly the stadium filled up and we realised the real game was to follow and it was pretty awesome the fans are crazy singing for the entire game and they actually switch seats at half-time to make sure they are behind the goal their team are shooting into.

Day 4- We visited Christ the Redeemer in the morning payed some company 15 quid and they drive you up there stopping at 2 locatioons for photos. We took many and they views are absolutely incredible. Christ is huge and so busy but definately worth every penny! Bought a massive lunch as we were staving I ordedred a pizza, large one obviously and was served a pizza the sie of a flying saucer (note to self never go large in Brazil ever again!) Spent the afternoon on Copacabana beach reading, sunbathing etc. And then went up to sugar loaf mounting for sun set which is supposed to be the best time to do it! Again the vies were breath-taking and whilst the sunset wasn´t that great it was still stunning up there! Stayed until dark again taking a shed load of snaps before heading to the night market (Chloe obviously forced the issue!!) along Copacabana beach. Very long and busy day!!

Day 5- HAd a massive lay in then went on a Favela tour organised by the hostel (who I might I add take disorganised to a new etreme!). THe Favela tour was awesome we had to take motor bikes to the top of the Favela and this in itself was an unbelievablke experience they bob and weave around on coming traffic like iits no bother! Chloe squeeled all the way up and had the locals pointing and laughing at her!! From the top we walked all the way through the Favela it´s unbelievable what kind of environment these people live in honestley. Taken to an art exhibition near the top of the Favela where Chloe bought some authentic Favela art work from some young kid the art there is absolutely brilliant! Also stopped along the way and listened to some kids playing samba with recycled rubbish as well as visiting a local school. The whole day was really cool. Planned to go to lapa for a street party but thunder storm washed that idea away. We are heading to Buzios tomorrow morning for some more beach action.

Love to all

Rory and Chloe

we actually did go to the street party which was pretty cool and got into a club there- we love the brazilian music!