I arrived in Rio yesterday and am staying with a friend in Jardim Botânico.

She has a really nice apartment and is it nice to stay with her and her family and get a real perspective of Rio, not the touristy version.

Today we went to see Christ the Redeemer, unfortunately it was really cloudy, so I didn't get a view of the city but I did manage to get some good photos of the Christ.

After we had a quick walk around Parque Lage and Escola de Artes Visuais de Parque Lage

We then hung out in Leblon, did some window shopping and walked along the beach, while Grace's son has basketball practice.

Finally we had a sunny day, so we walked to the zoo/botanical park. There wasn´t that much there but it was better than sitting at home!!

One thing I had forgotton about but love about Brazil is the abilty to have random parties or gatherings at a moments notice. On Saturday, I went to an ex-collegue´s boyfriend´s Birthday, ate lots of fresh mussels, practised lots of portuguese and drank lots of tequlia.

Last night we had an impromptu dinner at a friend´s house. I love that. To see my friends in the UK, we have to organise it at least a few weeks in advance and plan everything, organise lifts, if people are staying over. Here in Brazil, it just happens and nobody stresses about any of it!

On Saturday, we have been invited to another ex-collegue´s boyfriend´s mum´s Formatura or Graduation. They are a HUGE deal here, so it should be exciting to experience it.

Today I went to a Formatura of an ex collegue´s boyfriend´s mum!

A formature is basically a graduation but on a huuuuuuuge scale. This blog sort of describes the madness involved.

This one was at Joinville Square Gardens. There had been other parties he night before and this was the final one. Basically it was just another excuse to drink and dance. It was a big hall with seperate tables for each student.

All the student´s names were announced and the the student danced with their husband or wife, then children, then we all go to dance!

Lots of wigs, glasses and feather boas were produced and we all dressed up as well.

Chuva, Chuva, Chuva!!

It´s been raining - A LOT. Downtown is flooded but some how yesterday we didn´t have any water...!

I spent Carnaval in Portobello, at a friend's beach house a beach town about 2 hours drive from Joinville.

I had toyed with the idea of going to Salvador for Carnaval but didn't think I was up for the crowds, sweaty bodies and groping that would happen.

This video gives you an idea of it all.



It was a pretty chilled affair with lots of drinking, lying on the beach and eating.

The first night we went to Bombinha's and there was a parade and a beach party.


The weather was pretty good, as in Joinville at the moment, all it seems to do is rain!

Yesterday it was Joinville's 160th Birthday and there was a parade and an exhibition centre. I managed to get a rose for being a woman, a recycled bag and a coconut plant!
However it began to chuck it down again, so we only saw part of the parade.