Friday night in Rio, at Copacabana

A line to say I'm warming to the Copacabana Beach. We went the opposite way tonight and the section we walked had a very different feel to it. It was much better, less smelly, less messy and a much better vibe.

There are round kiosks all along the beach at intervals selling drinks, snacks and sandwiches. Literally on the beach which is floodlit all night so you can see the sands and the waves crashing while you sit and listen to live music along the beach. People are singing and dancing as you go, different musicians at every kiosk.

All good fun, our last night tonight and we 6; us, Shaun, Di, Elaine & Craig went out to dinner and it was a good meal, once we'd got past the language difficulties. I've surpassed my wildest expectations tonight ordering in Spanish with an accompaniment of Obrigado as and when necessary!!!

Sat here now pre booking or seats for the flight, so things coming to an end. Not yet though, as a full day planned for tomorrow.   Night All xxx

A day in Rio De Janeiro

It was a lovely sunny morning. The weather has been really kind to us. So we set off this morning to take the train up the mountain.  It's a small narrow gauge affair that was built in the 1880's and is still going strong. A ride to arrive at the feet of Christ the Redeemer. Now I am in awe. This is a very different perspective to the one you have looking up from afar.

Having taken the train to the feet of the Christ. The intimacy of such closeness and how you see the world below and around you I have changed my opinion.

There's a very profound message in there for discussion another day I'm just thinking, suffice to say it's all about closeness. What you experience close up and from a distance.

The beaches, the bays, the islands off shore, the harbour, lagoon, race course, the mountains around, the jungle, the tower blocks and the favellas all come together under the sun to create a thing of beauty.

The people are happy and cheery too. Always willing to give a smile and very grateful to be thanked with Obrigado as opposed to Gracias. 

So we looked down from every side and angle it seemed then took the train down. It's quite steep I found myself sliding off the seat on the way down. Just for the record as you're looking at the train and looking up the mountain the right hand side of the train affords the better views.

So then it was a trip across the city to the cable car, 2 stops with a lunch break at the first stop found us at the top of another show stopping mountain top 360 degree view. It is a beautiful city.

Then we drove back to the Hotel. Not the best we've experienced but I must say the view from the 30th floor rooftop bar up and down the length of Copacabana Beach does take a bit of beating.

So I'm writing this on our last evening in South America, it's been an extraordinary holiday, it is one of those once in a life time holidays. I doubt we would come this way again. But, for now we're still here so it's a case of getting up and out to see what's what in the bustle and madness below.

I'm lying in an oasis of calm in a room on the 11th floor the door onto the balcony open with the madness below, never silent, making its presence felt.

Out for our last evening all together now, see you all soon, I'm looking forward to that xxx

Rio De Janeiro

So here we are, Rio, the final stop before flying home. So what happened when we got here?

After all the usual faffing about checking in we got to our room, dumped the cases and went to the beach! The beach as far as I can see is its best asset. Early days yet I know. There may be more jewels to find!!! Though, even my first glance of Christ the Redeemer atop a hill over looking the city was a bit of a let down. It was rather understated in comparison to the perception you have looking at photos. I suppose you'd put that down to the trickery of the camera.

Then I had a paddle, it's got to be done, lovely golden sand. It's a lovely sandy beach as they go.

So then we walked and found somewhere to eat. It's a bit of a lottery, you'll know, but the fish goujons were ok. We ended up with another fish dish as well, with a florid green rice and potatoes of which we ate the fish and the whole lot cost us £15 so that wasn't so bad.

So we had a wander around, hanging on to handbags. I'd left my cross and chain in the safe,  even the tour guide said take it off as it will get snatched. Gangs of kids on motorbikes apparently.  Not wanting to loose my cross and get potentially lynched in the process it stayed in the room.

We're staying in the rich side of Rio, apparently there's a rich half and poor half. All I can say is if this is the rich half God help those people living in the poor half. It's busy, smelly, tired and noisy. (I'll talk about this some more, and I hope that last point doesn't sound too much like I shouldn't have said it).

Janet Lesley will love me forever when I say I think (know not think) I prefer Tenby. What an indictment but there it is, I'm glad I'm not staying here any longer than 2 nights.

The jewel of the tour in terms of a city has undoubtedly been Buonos Aires. As for the rest I would have no desire to go back to any of them.

After our meal we found the supermarket, bought some water got back to the Hotel where Shaun departed and we three Pips, myself and Di went up toothed 30th floor roof top bar for a drink. The views are fantastic if a little unnerving, being up there with nothing more than a piece of glass between you and the ground so far below.

I thought I'd try a Mojito as I'd been fancying one for days and wasn't feeling up to it. Anyhow, I sent it back as I couldn't taste much alcohol of any description!!!!  Pips reckons its because of the quadruples she pours, anyhow back it came and I can't say it was much different.

But, we had a good chat and a laugh and decided that we'd reserve total judgement on the whole of the city till tomorrow. It's just 10.30pm. I'm writing this in bed, but it's thronging out there. I don't think that this place ever sleeps but we have an early start in the morning and I'm dropping off.

Good Night All

Iguazu Falls, Brazil to Rio De Janeiro

So, after a leisurely morning, breakfast, monkey antics and the coach to the airport here we are waiting for the flight.

I've just spent a lovely half hour looking at the precious stones and jewellery here at the airport. Tax free so just a snip wouldn't you say.

A necklace caught my eye, it was lovely.
Made of cognac diamonds and a bi colour gold it was very glamorous,  beautiful. I've never really paid too much attention to jewellery such as these but you could certainly develop a taste. Ana, the very accommodating young assistant let me wear it. All in the cause of getting me to succumb of course. It would have been bread and dripping for evermore and no treats for anyone!!! She even let me take a photograph,  that was nice of her.

So here we are, just about to get on our last but one flight. It's turned into something like hopping off and on a bus, catching a flight this holiday. The passport has been well and truly stamped.

Iguazu Falls

What a place!!!

It took a days travel, up early yesterday for a 90 minute flight to Iguazu which is now more than a strip cleared in the jungle and a red brick building to accommodate the usual airport paraphernalia in a basic way. Still it did the job,  first we crossed the border into Brazil then got to walk to the falls. It's impressive from a distance but when you get close its just amazing. You get soaked from the spray created by the fall and the noise and the beauty of it all. It's just glorious. You can go up in a helicopter and go in a boat. The boat I anticipate would be better than the helicopter as it takes you in behind the waterfall. You get to appreciate it close up.

There's a walkway they allows you to see the falls in all its glory and eventually allows you to walk out over the falls.  Being so close to that power, wow. It's beyond words really.

So we're in this hotel in the middle of the.jungle, nothing else is around. This is a feat in its own right managing to build and to keep this running. It's so isolated.

I'm sat in the shade writing this, it must be 30 degrees.  Most of the group were off walking first thing. Others went a bit later and here we are taking it quietly.

It's a case of recuperating, we've both been struck by what's been described as Montezuma's revenge. So I don't really fancy walking in this heat.

So the place is magical,  we'll go for a walk later. But for now, I'll sit and enjoy the view, the birds and the butterflies. They are both very exotic looking. Especially the butterflies and there seems to be dozens of them.

It's 6.30pm now, enjoying the cool of the day. Sat out with a drink (water) and Pips has got a beer. This cheeky monkey has just jumped on the table,  pinched a bit of xjeese that was left in the bowl and scooted off. As I said to Pips we ought to be grateful he didn't pinch the binocular case. I was off with those searching.out toucans. They are fantastic birds not least that they can fly. They've given us a show tonight, very impressive.

We've walked and walked today the falls are fantastic, and the walk ways allow you to get so close. It's quire discerning as you are so close to those big drops with millions of gallons.of water thundering over.

So we got to Colonia

After the business of the city this place is a welcome relief. The old city, I use the word loosely is situated on a peninsula.  You can see the usefulness of it as a vantage point.

This place has been fought over for centuries,  first the Portuguese then the spaniads, the British had a part to play as occupiers too.

Today, it's a relative oasis of calm 'we have no poor people' says the guide. I'm not sure about that, but what they have got is a quiet, gentle old city with a white sand beach that stretches for miles and the coast road is studded with Argentinian holiday homes. People from the states too have liked it's charm, as well as Europe, all building holiday homes. All very tastefully done too,  neat with gardens of indigenous flowers. Makes a change from the mess of Lima and La Paz.

There's a bit of an old world charm about the place. Lots of birds flying about including these green parakeets that make one hell of a racket squabbling about this and the other. I would cheerfully shoot them the noise they make. Perhaps it's not so quiet!!!!

It's a lazy place, long leisurely lunches, in the sun. We've been lucky with the weather again. Not so lucky from a gut point of view. I'm not sure if it's a case of my gut protesting because of all its had to deal with or  I have picked something up. Symptoms would suggest the latter, I'll leave it at that.

So, we've walked, and sat and fell asleep on a park bench,  at least I did. One hot chocolate and some water later and we're waiting to be picked up. Can't come too soon to be honest!!!

On the bright side, if I was in the business of ticking countries off a list, there's one more ticked off.

Up early against tomorrow to fly to the falls. Two days of relative peace then it's the bright lights of Rio, then the not so bright lights of Radyr!!!

Colonia Uruguay

Up early for a day trip. Who's idea was this????

Buenos Aires The City

I like this place, we were up for breakfast (the best bacon I've eaten in a long time) and ready for a half day tour with Sandra which turned out to be very good as these things go. We saw lots of the cities famous landmarks. Went to see the grave of Eva Peron which was into the most impressive cemetery.  Beautiful mausoleums. Marble and ornate for the most part but some quite plain and simple. It was a very interesting place and home to many cats who walked with you if you gave them the slightest bit of attention.

The City is very stylish for the most part and has lots of trees and green space. Interestingly they want more green and the way forward is seen to be these vertical 'hanging' gardens suspended off walls. We saw a very impressive one. Looked fab.

It's got a very European feel about it, the architecture is varied old and new but generally sensitively done. The pavements are treacherous though full of pot hole and dog mess. They like their dogs, and they're not running loose in packs like Lima and La Paz but why oh why don't they clean up the dog mess it's everywhere.

After yesterday's pep talk about security and pick pockets I've been on red alert. I saw one woman give another a nod to acknowledge us 4 coming along (Di & Shaun and us 2) and I thought here we go. But, not to worry she was trying to get us into a leather shop. Too late though there were some lovely belts earlier on and I treated myself to a pair of ear rings.
It's a bit like a Faulty Towers sketch here. You know 'Don't mention the war!'.  The guide was talking of a war in a square (where it transpired there was a replica of a memorial in the Falklands) by the Cathedral. She didn't introduce it as such though and when I asked her was she referring to the Falklands War, she was shocked I'd asked. It's like the islands are never mentioned.

They've had a bit of a hard time here, as have most South American countries it seems, with right wing dictators. Up until the time of the Falklands really. She talks of the 'mothers of the lost who still parade to this day. Every week outside the government building. At the time of course it was to demand their missing children to be returned, many never did they simply disappeared.

There's s very sad memorial under a flyover, the foundations of which stand where a police station of that era stood. When they demolished it to make way for the new road a number of bodies, human remains were found. This was the 70's, hard to imagine isn't it?

Time and time again this trip has reinforced an appreciation of how lucky we are.

So we've walked and walked found a nice little Italian cafe for a salad for lunch. There's a big Italian community here and the biggest Jewish community outside of Israel and New York. That surprised me a bit as I've had Eichmann and lots of other nameless Nazi's who escaped from Europe after the end of the war. I'd not appreciated that lots of Jews would also make it their home.

We walked some more, eventually getting back to the Hotel having bumped into the 2 Australians and agreed to meet them at 7.30pm in the Hotel foyer to eat together. We're trying this BBQ place to-night. Some of the group went last night and this morning at breakfast were reporting the enormous portions. So it's two meals between 6 tonight.

I'm off to Mass tonight and Shaun (Donnelly) and Di are coming. I'm more surprised Shaun is coming out of the 2. He got sent to a Catholic Boarding school so very much a cradle catholic. Di though a very spiritual person isn't Catholic she's not sure if she's a Christian she says, though maybe I could be she adds as an afterthought; a considered one.

So, that's about it for today. Did I tell you about last night's meal! Last night was a lovely Italian with mountains of food that we couldn't eat, far too big s portion. The tour guide went home with a doggy bag. Aside from the usual bread at the start of the meal they put on the table the most delicious tomato sauce. I shall do that at home, it went down a treat with the bread.

El Alto Airport

Sitting waiting for the first of two flights to Buenos Aires. So off to Argentina today for 5 nights. The pace gets a bit gentler from now on and I can't say I'm sorry about that. I'm tired, sleep is not like home and I'm looking forward to a bit of a rest.

I think everyone is feeling the same.

I am looking forward to Argentina

That's it for now,  next blog be Argentima

Argentina Beunos Aires

What an impressive city. I think this is in a  big part because it's so culturally congruent with my own experience and also therefore because it's what and how Lima and La Paz aren't.

I had mixed emotions about coming here as my cousin Clifford who was a Sergeant in the Welsh Guards was killed on the Sir Galahad In Bluff Cove during the Falklands War. The television coverage of the burning ship has been in my mind.

I felt guilty about enjoying it so much, it's a bit like the time I bought a Japanese car and was concerned about how my father would feel. (He was in The Chindits and fought them in the gurgles of Burma,  behind the event lines for years during the war).

Anyhow I have lead those ghosts to rest though still respecting Clifford I intend to enjoy this place.

There are two other big first impressions, one a hugh silhouette portrait of Eva Peron on the side of a high rise block, as you drive into the city from the airport. The second was the Tour Guides considerable coverage of the issues related to security. Pick pockets in particular,  who have skills and degrees of sophistication and competence that Fagin would be proud of. So I've been on a war footing in that regard continually scanning front and behind as they work in teams. That hasn't helped the thinking about Clifford and the Falklands.

So, we went out last night to an Italian, en mass not far from the Hotel with Sandra, the Tour Guide. She did say that the portions were big but we all thought we could manage one whole dish. How wrong we were! Even I couldn't manage it. The food was good too.

A walk home and back to bed and all things considered a lovely sleep. Here I am Sunday morning looking forward to the day and I want to try and get to Mass this evening. Shaun said he might come I tentatively asked him and Di said she'd like to come which funnily enough didn't surprise me.

So that's where we're at other than to acknowledge it's a very attractive society, a cultured place. It's got a very European feel to it and that makes the Falklands War more difficult to accommodate.  One last observation. They've got a Harrods here but it's empty and almost derelict. I acknowledged the pity of that to Sandra   she agreed. I think she was a bit economical with the truth, there's a relationship to the Falklands War and Fayed the owner of Harrods pulled out, he is a royalist.