Brazil
Trip Start
Mar 10, 2003
1
Trip End
Mar 24, 2003
Rio, Brazil
Monday, March 10, 2003
The flight to Iguaçu was interesting, the seat in front of me had no support so during take off I had the guy in front of me basically sitting on my lap, we were sitting at the back of the plane, and as most of you know I hate flying, so I was not very impressed by the whole affair. After 36 hours of travelling with about 4 hours sleep we finally arrived in Iguaçu, tired and fed up of flying we had no idea what we were doing. While waiting for our bus, a little old Portugese man sat beside us and starting asking where we were staying, wadda, wadda, turns out he is some kind of tour guide and he gave us a brochure of a really cheap hotel. 8.00GBP per night for a ´luxo´ double room, and the place even had a pool and including breakfast. This place was totally wicked - all and more then we could ever want.
Our first day our ´guide´ met us in reception at 7am and took us on the bus to see the spectacular Iguaçu Falls, first we took a boat ride to go right under the falls, the guide neglected to tell us that we would get absolutely saturated, but it was the most amazing experience (almost as good as whitewater rafting). They guys that took us out on the boat suggested that Ant and I sit right up the front to get really good photographs (and to get really really wet), much to their delight they watch us disappear in the water falls, they also enjoyed doing stunts, one of them had this massive wave hit me and throw me onto the man behind me - doh! After the boat ride we went Ant and I headed to see the falls from a different angle (something where you didn´t get so wet). I can´t explain what we saw as it was so amazing, we were able to walk across this bridge and had the falls within a few feet totally around you - mind blowing.
Today we decided to go to Paraguay, just to add another stamp in the passport... hmmm I thought Victoria Falls was a bit rough but this place was madness. We caught the bus from Brazil and drove straight into Paraguay, we didn´t know this at the time, but we were suppose to get off the bus to go through immigration - doh. We went into Paraguay and were almost speechless about the whole place, you couldn´t take cameras, bags or anything and we could see why. Everywhere you stepped someone was trying to sell you either an electric razor or an abb flex thing, no matter how much you said no they would follow you. We even got offered cocaine and opium, which we both kindly refused. Right in the middle of the town is this massive store called Mona Lisa (somewhat like Marks and Spencers, but nicer), outside this place were all these guards with pump action shot guns, we were even a bit scared to walk into the shop. We didn´t stay there too long, actually only an hour, but because of traffic it took us 1 1/2 hours to get back, the bus driver was a crack up he kept hopping out of the bus to talk to people or to smoke a cigarette, little kids as young as 6 would hop on the bus selling garlic or cold drinks.
I really don´t know where to start from, so much has happened since I last wrote. For some of you who are only receiving this for the first time I am in Brazil... and loving it!
Okay, last e-mail I was being dragged away from the internet cafe by Anthony because we were about to miss our 9 hour bus ride to Curitiba (like I would have complained). Anyway, we arrived in Curitiba at 6am, feeling a bit tired and cranky from the long bus trip we had no idea where or what we were going to do. We tried to buy a ticket on the scenic Serra Express train, but by 7.30am they had all sold out, so our next option was to stay put. We found a cheap hotel for GBP 2,50, and it wasn´t too shabby at all, we had a view of an industrial site, and when you had a shower to get the hot water to stay on you had to flush the toilet and keep the tap running in the sink, but beside that it was really good. We spent the day looking around the town and at markets, the towns seem to close down on the weekends, so there were many people around. At one stage while we were a bit lost a couple of guys started following us, we think they were after our camera (don´t worry Ced they didn´t get it), feeling a bit uneasy we thought the safest option would be to catch a cab back to the hotel.
The next day we got up at the crack of dawn and headed on our trip on the Serra Express to Morrettes. The views were spectacular, surrounded by lush green mountains with the tip covered in clouds, at times there was a couple of hundred metres drop and you couldn´t even see the sides of the track. The ride to Morrettes took just over 2 hours, but just as we came into the town it started to bucket down - neither Ant or I were pleased at this stage, because our main aim to come here was to go tubing down rapids in an inner tube. We met an Argentine couple at the train station who had also come for the ride, we found a hotel with them, right on the river for GBP 3,00 including breakfast (you can´t get much better than this).
As we arrived at the hotel we asked the owner about the tubing, she said that the weather was okay and that we could go down if we wanted, before we could off load our bags though she was sitting in her car beeping the horn for us to go - too bad if we had changed our minds. The first thing the lady asked was if we could swim, when we all said si, she said that we wouldnt need life jackets. All of us were feeling a bit unsure of what lay ahead but went along anyway. We arrived at our destination, were kitted up with our inner tube and an optional helmet (we all opted to take it) and taken to the river. The guy gave us a crash course in Portugese and then hopped in his car and drove off - you guessed it no guide, just 4 idiotic inexperienced people ready for a thrill seek. The Argentine guys tried to give us instructions as best he could, but we all figured that the best way was to jump straight in the river. At first we were all a bit nervous, but after the first couple of rapids with everyone still in tow we started to get into the swing of things. Just as we got into it, the Argentine guy said to us that he ´thought´ there was a rapid coming up where we had to stay on the left as there were over hanging trees - a bit too late we think, just as he told us we were going down them, I was first and hit a rock on the right hand side and then was pummelled into an overhanging tree, just as I was getting my feet up to kick myself off, Ant hit me and I was thrown into the tree, under the water and out the other side, I didn´t see it myself, but Ant will tell you it was hilarious ha! ha! 2 hours of total adrhelanin and it was all over, all 4 of us walking away with only a few bruises - phew!
After our first few days of no rest and relaxation we thought it would be nice to head to an island, we caught a bus to Paranagua and hopped onto a boat for Ilha do Mel. We found a pousada (hostel) right on the beach for GBP 5,00 including breakfast (sorry for all the prices, but want you to see how cheap it is here). What an out of it place, no cars or roads on the entire island, it was either beat the feet or hire a push bike. We caught up with a French and Portuguese couple who we´d met in Curitiba and went on a boat ride out to see the dolphins, we saw a couple of schools, but they didn´t seem that interested in us. We asked the guide if it was safe to swim out where we were, he said yes and laughed a bit. All of us went in for a little dip, the water was so nice, I think the only time we panicked was when the boat started drifting away, but beside that it was pure bliss. The food was so nice, we have been living on fish, shrip, rice, fritas and salada, all for a measily GBP 2,00 and it feeds 2 people. We also had a go at surfing, hired a surfboard and umbrella and headed for the beach. After a couple of goes on my stomach I thought I was now experienced enough to stand up, the first time was a total balls up, but I was able to stand up a few times after that... and even rode the waves for about 10 seconds - I am thinking of quitting my job in London now and becoming a professional (fall off stunt man).
After a couple of days of lazing in the sun and getting really sunburnt we decided it was about time to head to Rio, seeing as we only have 3 days left. The biggest journey yet, 4 hours to Curitiba and then 13 hours to Rio - ahhh! Caught a bus from Curitiba at 7.30pm last night, paid a bit extra for a Luxo bus, oh my god this was even better than buisness class on the planes (well almost), we got given a little goodies bag as we entered, the seats were like lazy boys and there´s more, we got blankets and pillows - worth paying the extra we say. Ant and I took a couple of sleeping pills and had the best sleep ever, all refreshed for Rio!
We are now in Rio, not too sure where we are staying on the map, but have been told that it is a safe area. Were off to find Copacobana now, so we can both perve at the beautiful people (sorry Ced won´t be taking any pictures with the camera, not safe to carry around - will buy you a post card!).
Alrighty, thats about it! Hope you are all well, and for everyone in London - see you sooner than later!
