[ Zoom Map ]

Paraty, Brazil
23° 13' S 44° 43' W
Oct 15, 2006 20:44
Distance 9388km

Choose another map, showing:

• South America (central)
• South America
• The World

Other entries in Paraty

Rio and beyond

Text written in: English

After a 12 hour flight made it to Rio safely.

Spent the next couple of days touring the city whilst I waited for the rest of the group to arrive. Weather pretty overcast, but still nice and warm. Did the obligatory trips to both Sugar Loaf and Corcovado to see the state of Christ the Redeemer.  Both sites had fabulous views over the city and it's breath taking surrondings.  The trip to Corcovado was made even more memorable by the tour guide, anyone familiar with the film Father of the bride will remember Frank the wedding organisor, well the guide 'Fancia' was a Brazilian version, very camp, very funny. 

On the evening of the 11th finally meet the rest of the group many of whom will travel all the way to Lima with me.  We are in 10 (9 girls and 1 boy) at the moment plus the tour leader.   They are Sarah the Gap tour leader, France my room mate from Canada, Sarah and Janice also from Canada, Lin and Sarah from Norway, another Sarah and her boyfriend Ash from England, Kelly from Austrailia and Karmen from London.  Mixed ages ranging from 19 to 40. 

On the morning of the 12th we said good bye to Rio, which I wasn't too upset about,  although framed by beauty with the sea and mountains the city itself is not so nice.  With the exception of the beach at Ipanema which was lovely, but also the most expensive part of town.  Figures that I'd like that the best!  I maybe living out of a rucksack, but I have my standards.  From Rio we headed south and out  to the beatiful island of Ihle Grande set in a tropical forest this place had loads of charm.  On the 13th we did a 3 hour hike across the mountains to one of the islands beaches.  It had rained the night before so a few of us managed to slip and slide our way down hill. Thankfully we got a boat back.

Woke up on the 14th with aching legs, then spent the day on a boat sailing around the island and stopping off for a dip in the sea followed by a BBQ and a few Caipirinhas....yummy.  Have to make the most of those in Brazil.  Weather improved and most of the group now has some degree of sun burn.  Never mind it was a great day out and the group is beinging to bond.  Sarah from Norway and Kelly from Austrailia are both over 6ft and blonde, they have a trail of local men following then around!! Quite funny.   

This morning we sadly said goodbye to Ilhe Grande and headed back to the mainland and onto Paraty, where I am at the moment.  A pretty cobbled beach town with streets of pretty white washed and colored houses.  Off to diner shortly, no chance of starving in Brazil the food has been great so far, but there too much temptation around in the form of sweet trolleys on each street corner, cakes and puds sold by the slice.  Have resisted thus far, but have had a choice of 2 cakes a day as part of the breakfast at the last hotel.   

Will update again shortly with a couple of piccies, forgot my cable this time round. 

Loving South America so far, but missing  you all.