Day 8 - Travelling to Iguazu Falls

Today after an early start we said goodbye to Rio and flew to Iguazu Falls. The flight was only two hours which Bev managed to cope with ok, apart from the bumpy landing. We arrived to very hot and humid weather and once we had got our baggage we jumped into a taxi and crossed the boarder into Argentina were the hotel is located.

Our hotel is very nice, we are staying at the Sheraton hotel situated right near the falls. We have a great view of the falls from our room which we are planning on going to see tomorrow.

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Day 7 - leaving Ilha Grande

Today we spent our final morning at Ilha Grande, which was mostly spent cramming everything back into our suitcases ready for our journey back to Rio, and eating breakfast. After a brief boat ride and two hour drive, we arrived back in Rio at hotel Orla for the night.

We decided that we would go out for a final meal in Rio before setting off to Iguazu Falls the following day. We went to a local restaurant around the corner from our hotel and again showed a severe lack of understanding when it came to ordering food in Portuguese! When our food arrived we were shocked to discover that instead of a meal for two people, we had somehow ordered for four. So after consuming a starter and a main which consisted of four steaks (two each!) we rolled back to the hotel and fell asleep.

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Day 6 - Kayaking and a Tour of the Resort

We decided to have an ocean adventure and take a couple of kayaks over to a nearby beach for a relaxing day of sun bathing and swimming. Despite a bit of hesitation in actually getting into the kayak we both managed to board our own and set off across the Atlantic ocean.

We got washed up on a beach about 20 minute later that was deserted and rather then risk the oceans any further we set up camp and set to on a busy days sun bathing. The water was refreshingly cold but just right for cooling off with a swim.

Once we had fought our way back across the windy ocean we decided on a less challenging activity of a 20 minute walk around the resort. We didn't see any monkeys but did see some interesting looking plants and trees and felt that we had worked up an appetite for the dinner ahead.

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Day 5 - Walk through the jungle!

Today we embarked on a three hour trek through the jungle in hope of finding some good beaches and monkeys! The island contains no roads and only a few well trodden paths in the jungle that engulfs the whole island. To get to our start point of the walk we were dropped via boat at the main port which consisted of a sandy beach, pier, a handful of shops and a few huts. All of which wouldn't look out of place in a pirate film! Our training for the Inca Trail started at this point with an up hill trek to the first viewing point. By this time we were both shattered and dreading the Inca Trail which is due in one week.
The rest of the walk was not quite as gruelling as the initial climb, and was helped by lots of nice scenery and wildlife encounters. WE SAW MONKEYS !! six of them in the trees, they were a lot smaller than we both expected. We originally thought that they would be much bigger like baboons!! but turned out to be local spider monkeys.
We also saw hundreds of different types of ants, all of which were big with different coloured bottoms and various birds of all shapes and sizes. We even saw a red squirrel perched on a branch nibbling on his nuts.

We also came across several small beaches which were very idyllic, situated in small bays with a few shacks provided refreshments and normal amenities. The last beach we reached which was called lopes mendes which is a popular choice with the locals for surfing as the waves were pretty big. The beach itself was a couple of miles long with white squeaky sand and mango groves, coupled with clear blue sea.
After a long day walking we had both worked up a huge appetite so headed back to the resort for our dinner, which fulfilled our appetites 100% with another three course meal. Not that we are complaining !!

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Day 4 - Travel to Ilha Grande

Today we travelled to our next destination which is located on an island called Ilha Grande. The island is located off the coast, west of Rio. To get across to the island we had our private boat pick us up!! After a 20 minute ride across the sea, we arrived to an empty resort (us being the only guests there!). We had a sea level apartment with a veranda that over looked mountains, sea and generally really lovely scenery. There are certain luxury's being the only guests at the resort, one being that we had our food cooked at whatever time suited us and we had a full set of staff who waited on us hand and foot!! which was at first a bit awkward but we soon got used to it! :)

We spent the rest of our first day relaxing after consuming a three course 'light' lunch (according to Adrian the host!) Lunch was very tasty but filling to the point of both me and Adrian being good for nothing the rest of the day! Four hours after lunch was served we had dinner! This just about finished us off and we were asleep by 9:30pm!!!!! we are embarrassed to admit.

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Day 3 - Cable Car Up Sugar Loaf Mountain

Today we done the other big hill in Rio, Pao De Acucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain). This peak in the middle of the bay require two cable car rides to get to the top. Again the day was perfect for the views and we where able to see the whole of Rio when we reached the top.

The cable car was a little two high for Bev who's legs where a little wobbly by the top!! Anyone with vertigo would not have been happy on the way up, lots of swinging with very little under your feet. The highest point was 395m and is supposed to have monkeys on the top. Despite searching hard we found no monkeys :( but loads of lizards.

The rest of the day was spent walking along the beach getting a bit of a tan going and trying some of the local drinks. I can safely say that the national drink of Caprihana is well awful, unless you like a iced tequila slammer in one glass. The fresh coconuts where a much better option and quenched the thirst a lot better than salty tequila.
We sampled the hotels pool area up on the roof which was very relaxing especially with your drinks and food being served to you. The dinner experience was slightly delayed due to jet lag (still!!).

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Day 2 - Sight Seeing in Rio

Well the jet lag has it's uses, we where up bright and early. Bev woke up at 3 and i woke up at 6!! We had plenty of time to get breakfast and were on the road by 9:30 which is a miracle for us!

Today we went for a trip out to the Cristo Redentor, which for those who don't know is the large statue of Christ on the top of Corcovado mountain that Rio is famous for. The statue of christ has his arms open blessing the city of Rio!!

The views from the top where the statue is are amazing. We where very lucky to have a very clear sunny day so we could see the whole of Rio around us. There where lots of hang gliders flying on the thermals.

To get to the top we travelled up in the little cog train with the on board sampra band which was quite entertaining. The journey up the hill was pretty steep with vertical drops on the side of the train, the handbrake didnt seem to hold the carriages very well when we stopped of at some of the little stations on our way up!!!! We found out after that there is a walk all the way to the top but we where already on the train by that point, honest! We'd still be walking up the hill if we had chosen that option !!

The rest of the day was spent chilling out in Copacabana around the beach and the hotel (Adrian has a burnt nose from the beach) We're both enjoying the time relaxing.

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