Rio

This is Mary posting her travels via her emails to me obviously they are edited hahaha her earlier posts are top right, my comments are in blue.

Once again I urge all who read this to leave a comment for Mary its at the bottom of this page ….. Happy 2010 to you all

Mary over Rio

been having a great time with Helen here and just as hot as Itacare..

had a very hectic trip from I tacareto Rio – got the bus at 0830 and took 7hrs to cover 215 km. stopping al the time for passengers..just getting a bit of speed up and pulling over again. WE left in sunshine,then drove through torrential rain and water wheel deep across the road and back to sun..just had salvador in sight across the bay and had to pull over for roadworks..worst part was there was a dead bloated dog outsie my window saw when we realised we wound up all windows and sat there with the fetid stench in the busfull of people.. at the ferry the old woman who i had sat with showed me how to push to the front of the que for ticket ( you can if old here) and place yourself to be first on the boat for best seat which was really helpful to be first off..the crossing took an hour with 2 young boys swimming across just before leaving and climbing up the side of the ferry ( the size a bit smaller than the Cook straight one.. I thought they were catching a ride ) but then they dived off from the top! all just a bit of fun for them..On arriving I ran off with luggage in tow grabbed the firsttaxi for muingto rapido trip to airport and arrived as plane was boarding. Great to catch my breath in comfort and have a snack and cold drink! Arrived Rio 3 hours later and managed to find a top up place for cell ph on remote 3rd floor of aiport towing my luggage along. Then got directions to walk to other terminal in huge building to meet Helen arriving 3 hrs later!!very quiet at the arrivls area but always at least one other person and a security guard there. So pleased to see her get arrive with no delays!! We taxid here to the White House and Maiza was hae waiting up for us about 0230.

Author note : White House where mary and Helen will be staying for 5 days

Author note : This is where Mary and Helen are staying its like a backpackers but with style Mary Ben and Fred stayed here about 8 years ago…

Big sleep in for Helen recovering from jet lag then we went out to watch the sunset at the top of Pao de Acucar Sugar loaf mountain with a group from here; was stunning seeing the sun set over the city..

after this to \Lapa for street feed and drinks , then sat outside a very coool jazz bar for more refresshment and to a nightclub called Rio cenario. This building is amazing with 3floors of antique paraphenalia all over the walls and sides.chandeliers and centred around a big dance floor with live Samba music…Wow…crowded with people!0130 and helen and I piked and caught a taxi home.

Up next day and off to Corcovada! the big staue of Christ on the hill..we got the bus winding through the city then the train was 1 1/2 hr wait so went by mini van up there ..its really amazing that this could be built on a mountain top and all covered in fine mosaic tiles.. beautiful views over the city with patches of cloud coming and going.

Author note : Is statue bro ? 

We took all day for this escapade and back by another bus with just enough energy to get groceries and stroll home for a rest before out again to the evening markets at Copacabana. WQe caught the local favella buses down there and back with interesting mix of people aboard from sweaty dirty blokes to freshly showered people out on the town. and lots of kids and old folk out as well. Did a wee bit of shopping and replaced my lost jandals – essential here to protect from the infections you can pick up through your feet.( managed to buy cheap form of Bactroban for infected swollon ankles from ? insect bite so with fan on feet at night and rest seems to be resolving)..Bought a very cool painting in the market from an old guy had even been to NZ on his painting travels.

Author note : Helen and Mary partying yet again must be such a hard life….

Now today is getting late, have had lovely fruirt salad brekkie and bread roll and strong brazilian coffee. Planning day at the beach at Ipanaema just round the cornewr here and then out to another Jazz bar this evening..what a tough life huh!…

Author note : beach at Ipanaema

well better go do it…. thinking of you …come over some time soon cos its an awesomeplace full of excitement, beauty and wonderful friendly people heaps of love Mary xxxxx

Author note : I hear you say what the …. a steam train? Well while Mary is off in Rio I am reduced to watching a steam train in Palmy hahahaha