30/01/09 19:18

At last we got ourselves onto a sight-seeing trip organised through the hostel in Botafogo. We visited Corcovado mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue, the Catedral Metropolitana, Tijuca Forest, Santa Teresa, Maracana stadium, Sambodromo where the Rio carnival takes place and finally Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain). It was a boiling hot day to start with, around 36 degrees when we were at the top of Corcovado, but true to fashion it is now storming! We´ve taken loads of photos but unfortunately cant download them to this site - they are on Facebook though on Ruth´s profile.

Hostel life so far is interesting to say the least! Nice hostel (El Misti) but rooms are very dark with only a tiny lamp, bathrooms not too clean! and staff and some guests aren´t the most friendliest! We´ve spoken to a few people briefly and met some on today´s trip from other hostels so may venture out to Lapa tonight for our first boozy night out!!

Heading to Niteroi via ferry tomorrow to spend Saturday day and night with Helen, Fabio and their friends and then onto Buzios on Sunday for 3 nights. Supposed to be gorgeous there with some fab beaches so may actually get some sunbathing done...

Check out Ruth´s Facebook profile for photos!!

R&R xx