The long journey home begins……

Last day in Rio today and then I head back at some ungodly hour on a really roundabout journey that will eventually get me home for 0630 on the Friday 8th March…….6 o’clock club anyone?


It is fairly smokin’ hot here between 35-40 Celsus  over the last few days but a bit cooler today. I still would have found my bikini the best attire for the day but I  don’t want  everyone to feel embarrassed about themselves when they see me strutting my gorgeous brown body (because all my freckles have joined together )  down the beach. So thoughtfully for them I remained clothed.
Today I headed up Sugar Loaf – but more importantly I caught the right bus (may have got off a little early) both to and from the cable car. Super proud of myself. That will however also be the last  public bus in Rio I have to catch….I hope work are paying attention. My bus flagging down skills have greatly improved after two buses went straight past me and the lady stood next to me laughed and did an impression of my pathetic waving skills. The next bus that came had no chance I boldly stood out into the road in front of it, arm in the air and it duly stopped. Take that local lady! I left her still flagging things down!
Sugar loaf is beautiful, the view is amazing probably better than  Christ the Redeemer. There are two stations on the journey and would you believe it a haviannas shop at the top.
From here you get a fantastic view of the harbour and what will be some of the race areas in 2016- though I don’t fancy being up the top there with the hoards in that month!!!
There is a bit of nature reserve which feels very tropical and I finally saw some Monkeys as I watched a lady run away screaming convinced they were going to jump on her.
I pretty much enjoyed the view for the day watched how the wind built the tide turned and then retired to the beach in the vicinity. I only lasted 20 minutes before I was bored!
I think I have experienced the real Rio and will be more than hppy to experience the Rio in all the pretty magazines next time!

I have learnt many things this journey…..
  • Top banana comes from the fact that the best bananas are usually at the top of the bunch
  • Rio has the largest slum in South America – I always thought it was Lima
  • Altitude sickness really slows you down
  • Don’t drive a scooter if you have vertigo
  • Losing your wallet for real is a nightmare
  • The Galapagos islands are probably hands down the best thing I have ever done
  • Manta Rays are massssssssssive and penguins are cool- though the Panda is still my favourite!
  • I still hate cities and get home sick really easily
  • Ryan air may not be the worst airline in the world
  • I will never be a pro surfer
  • If you are injured you always seem to get the exit aisle- just hide your injury once sat down!
  • Machu Picchu really is quite magical
  • Reaching 4600 M with a broken arm a buggered knee shows just how stubborn I am
  • Travelling with people is way more fun
  • I am addicted to mango juice
  • Easter Island is beautiful and remote!
  • Helicopters are cool
  • The best ships are friendships (ay H?)
  • Swimming with sharks isn’t that scary!
  • Try and smile and laugh at least once a day because back against the wall humanity is pretty caring..

Thank you following me on my journey, your comments, emails, likes along the way made me realise I am never really alone.

And finally…….
I am going to grow old and greyer than I already am (which is pretty grey as it has remained untouched since December!) with some extremely special memories

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