Since the last update we have moved on, experienced our first real taste of Carnaval and had lots of fun.

We spent 4 days on Ilha Grande which is a beautiful island about 3 hours south of Rio De Janeiro.  No cars and no banks on the island.  Funnily enough we stayed at a place called Jungle lodge, abouta 15 minute hike into the jungle away from the beaches! Amazing place and weird experience to have such beautiful beaches just below us. We took a boat cruise to Lopes Mendes beach - http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cMBmul_HcrY/TVnqFXAPvmI/AAAAAAAAAcw/Cr_SOihxTxE/lopes%20mendes.jpg

We snorkelled the blue lagoon. - http://www.hotel-ilhagrande.com/data/391/tour_913/230_lagoa_azul_1.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hlqpbgF10tY/SiBMF2fvXAI/AAAAAAAADq8/haXKPxNOAoI/IMG_2909.JPG

After that, as Peter Allen said - I go to Rio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODHHvAG67fI

We then headed into Ipanema (suburb of Rio) for 2 nights.  The beach at Ipanema was amazing. We did not find the girl from Ipanema (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWGRO9KH8Mc) however apparently she does exist. Spent ages one night just watching some guys skimboarding, there was one there who was 10-12 years old was awesome, but as someone described it is their playground.

Had our a bit of fun when we went to check out of the hotel. We went to check out and talking to reception about our next stop - "Oh that is a long way away", anyway the place that we had booked (months ago from Melbourne) in Rio for Carnaval turned out to be about an hour away ($100 taxi ride)

Anyway after some fun and games, some slightly stressful moments, we have cancelled the place and booked a new one in Copacabana so we are in the action!

So now we are in Copacabana for the next few days until Monday when we fly to Paris.

Since we moved, we went on a day tour of Rio -
Christ the Redeemer Incredible views, and an incredible statue - 38 metres high - http://www.espacoturismo.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/rio-de-janeiro-turismo/rio-de-janeiro-turismo-10.jpg
Sugar Loaf mountain - you can´t really see in the pic, but you ride a cable car between the mountains - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/PaodeAcucar.JPG/280px-PaodeAcucar.JPG
Maracana Football Stadium - currently being renovated for the world cup and olympics - it used to hold 200,000 people but now will hold less - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Maracana_Stadium.jpg
San Sebastio cathedral an amazing church, with the strangest design - http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/2219/catedral.jpg
and finally to a favela, which is the slums of Rio, the shanty towns.  There are 27 of these and only 16 have police in them.  The other 11 are run by the gangs to protect the illegal activities in them. There are no roads between the rows of houses so if you live at the top you have to walk or get a motorbike-taxi. - http://frugalchristianliving.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/favela.jpg

Yesterday we got our first taste of Carnaval with 2 Bloco´s. We still cannot figure them out, but the best way to describe them is a massive street party, with lots of music dancing, costumes and drinking.  They start at 9am in the morning and happen in all different suburbs and you just go from one to the next one. We even got interviewed for TV while there! Loads of fun and the drum band in the yellow shirts where really good.
http://di.imguol.com/carnaval/2012/02/17/folioes-lotam-as-ruas-de-santa-teresa-centro-do-rio-no-desfile-do-bloco-das-carmelitas-1722012-1329506130325_956x500.jpg

Today we heading into the centro to pick up our tickets for tomorrow night´s parade. Heading to another couple of bloco´s and probably rest on the beach for a bit too.