Rio...and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

As I'd been to Rio, and the hostel before arrival was no problem at all. I even managed to confirm Stu & Jacqui's flight for them before heading out to the "Real" onibus.....WOW!!!! Seems Rio got a whole lot busier since before Xmas. It appears Brazilians from all over the country decend on Rio for New Year. I had to bribe the bus driver to let me on, & with a bit of help from a friendly South African (who helpfully spoke Portugese) I was allowed onto the worlds most crammed bus!! (P.s. Thanks Ettienne!!!)

An hour later and I was at the hostel. Not really fancying anything I retreated to the shopping centre until my room was ready. By night fall I had found the hostel bar and already made some good friends - Welsh Mark, German Elke and a lot of Brazilian guys!! After drinking several bottles of local beer, a few Tequilla's and some Capriana's it was off to Lapa.....Wow how busy?!! So many people on the streets drinking, dipping in and out of clubs. This really is a party place. Finished the night off with a trip to the beach and a dip into the sea....at 4am in the morning (I wasn't drunk honest!!!)

My first full day was passed with a trip to see O Cristo Redentor......impressive but it took nearly 3 hours to get up there after queuing for tickets and waiting for the train. It is really impressive though and gives excellent panoramic views of the city. By the time I got back it was beer time at the hostel again followed by a further trip to Lapa...

On the 30th I decided it was about time to go and explore the beaches of Rio. A short walk to Copacabana and then along the front to Ipenema took up most of the day. The heat (up to 40C) was the main obstacle and the trip was littered with frequent stops in the shade!! I went on to meet up with Stu & Jacqui for a few drinks before heading back again. Tonight was a bit different - the hostel organised a trip to a Favela party - a huge night club with Funk music. So many people, it was amazing but certainly not luxurious...... The people are still friendly though even when drunk English people stumble into them!!!

New Year's Eve saw me at the beach again, just having another wander to see what might be on tonight. Then we tried to go up Sugar Loaf mountain but it had already closed for the private party by the time we got there. In this situation there was only 1 thing to do.....beers on the beach with Welsh Mark!! What a fantastic place!!! Back to the hostel to put on our party clothes and then off back to Copacabana beach (after an interesting walk through the Copacabana tunnel....) for the full on party.......

Wow what a party - these Brazilians certainly know how to do things.....I was never more than 5 steps from beer or food on the beach. Everybody was having an amazing time and the 20 minutes of fireworks were spectacular. We actually felt sorry for the people on the 9 cruise ships anchored in the harbour - they were missing out on the real party!! Things wound down at 2.30am ish so we heading to Ipanema beach but with the traffic problems it was finsihed too by the time we got there so we admitted defeat and headed to bed at 5am!!

The next day I met up with Stu and Jacqui again for some midday food before heading up Sugarloaf mountain for sunset. It was in the clouds which some may think is a disappointment - it isn't. It is amazing watching the clouds go by and bits of the city, and Christ the Redeemer briefly appearing....

In true Brazilian style we finished the night in an Irish bar!! Not too late as I have my flight tomorrow.....

My final morning in Rio was occupied with a trip to some favela's with Stu & Jacqui (a guided tour, not alone!!). They really are quite interesting and an organised trip is really quite safe. The guide was explaining to us that mainly these are places where the less priviledged people live, not places where criminals live. They also have their own unspoken rules, so basically you are far less likely to get mugged in a favela than you are on Ipanema beach.