Brazilian paradise

am now feeling like a proper traveller as have made my first journey of this trip. Yep, have finally left Rio and am now residing on a lovely little island which, according to a man on the boat over, is the 2nd nicest in Brazil and has Brazil's best beach. The sun has also been making a significant appearance and so Caroline is happy again!

Had quite a fun dayt yesterday pottering around and made it onto the beach in Rio in my bikini for a good couple of hours before the wind picked up and left me a shivering wreck reminiscent of british holiday makers in Skegness determined to stay on the beach! Also went back up Sugar Loaf as some of my mates were doing the whole watch sun set over Rio thing, and whilst positively humming of stilton, was actually really lovely. Then had an amazing night out in some big street party which goes on each Friday in some dodgy part of Rio. Lovely introduction as look out of taxi window to see a couple of women wearing not much more than underwear. So there's me thinking that the Brazilians are quite exhibitionists when it comes to weekend wear, when its pointed out to me that they were not only prostitutes but transexual ones at that. So i may have done a lot of travelling but am still horribly naive.

So then basically spent evening drinking pints of ridiculously cheap caiparinhas (or however you spell it) eating meat on a stick and dancing in the streets before being lured into a rather fun club based on the fact that they were playing the twist! I tried to make everyone get to a samba club but by 4am resigned myself to the fact that I had no chance and went home!

So anyway, as I said, am now on Ilha Grande with 3 people who i met in the Rio Hostal. Had a bit of a trauma as walked for quite a long way on the beach, with v heavy packs, to get to our chosen hostel before deciding that it was quite rubbish and we didn't want to stay there! Cue mad outburst from the strange women running it who seemed to think that as we had looked at the room we were obliged to stay at least one night! Also caused a bit of a split in the group as not everyone wanted to go back, but back we went and am so glad we did. Have settled ourselves into a gorgeous pousada (B&B) with a pool where we have our own rooms, air con, fridge, towels and EVERYTHING for only 2pounds more. Definately worth it. So am loving it here. Feels a bit touristy, but its out of season so its ok, and it has a really laid back vibe which is lovely. And even nicer, there are no cars and the village is really small, which is a lovely change from Rio.

Ooh, rather boring blog today, sorry, will try for more amusing anecdotes tommorrow. only had 3 hours sleep last night and it is getting to me now!