Nov 2005

Hey Everyone,

After the hectic life that was Brazil we´ve now made it to Uraguay and we´re staying in Montevideo for Sarah´s 23rd - Nov 30th.

Blinkin´ heck the last few days have been interesting. After Porte Alegre we took a rather plush overnight bus across the border into Uraguay. The leather reclining seats, comfy pillows weren´t the best bits. Just as Sarah was nodding off one of the coach crew came around with mini dinners of club sanries, mini quiches, swiss roll and either pepsi and wine. Plus there was a DVD in English to watch. All was going smoothly until we had to wake up at 4.30am to get off the bus.

Assumming there´d be a cambio "exchange" at the border we had to wrangle with the night security to swap our us dollars for Pesos. They offered what they thought was half the exchange rate but ended up only being a 2 pounds off the right amount. As the sun was rising we caught a coach down to a tiny half dead seaside village called Punte Diablo.As the tourist season hadn´t really started yet we tried the only place that was open at 7.30am, the International Hostel cum tourist information. Unfortunately they were fully booked as a group of 90 poeple were coming for the weekend. Luckily the bloke at the tourist info had his own hostel down the road that he opened up for us. So all was sorted in the end.

The next day we shook the sand from our feet and headed back to the border to get some more money and then the coach further down the coast to La Paloma. After a bit of a wander in La Paloma we stumbled across the campsite we were looking for as it had rave reviews in the Bible *SA lonely planet guide* We were seriously impressed with the our new home for the next few days - brilliant hot showers, 3mins to the beach and an outside kitchen with sink and BBQ area. We certainly made the most of the BBQ as some Americans, who left after the first day, gave us some lighter fluid,charcoal and a grill. The local supermarket didn´t dissappoint either with gorgeous beef cutlets, 50p for 3, and 5 chunky chorizo sausages for less than a pound. The weather was brilliant too and morning walks on the beach seeing cowboys training horses was amazing.

We left La Paloma this morning and within a couple of hours we arrived in the Capital of Uraguay - montevideo. From what we´ve seen so far it´s a cracking city, Sarah´s been round most of the arts and crafts markets already and the food is cheap and dead tasty. I´m sure we´ll get the chance to induldge ourselves tomorrow for a celebratory meal followed by a drink or too. Tonight we´re off to the irish pub for some live music. It starts off at 23.00 so looks like a late one¡

take care and keep warm - is a chilly 22 degrees

Lucas and Sarah

PS sorry for any problems with the photos. Am going to upload them to an online gallery soon so will keep you all updated.

PPS feel free to drop us an e-mail as internet access is free in the hostel we´re staying in red hostel

Hi there everyone,

Another port of call another mini update from our world adventure, another level of heat. Is currently 42 degrees outside!

Since I last wrote we've certainly being moving around a bit. From sleepy Saquarema we headed into Rio then further south to the small port of Angra dos Reis with the intention of going to Ilha Grande, a gorgeous island an hour and half of the coast. We weren't too sure we would make the official ferry over and were prepared to stay on the mainland before heading over the next day. We were lucky to have a chat with a young uraguan bloke on the bus who spkoe portugese and english. We managed to wrangle a deal with a local family who were heading to a near by beach to take us. We boarded the 70foot boat and set off as light was fading fast. As the rain got heavier and wind stronger we pulled into the beach where they lived. All seemed well until they had to go and inspect the smoke billowing out from the engine. After a bit of banging whilst drifting further away from the jetty everything was sorted. 25mins more heavy rain and wind later and we made our grand entrance into the main port.

The next few days were a mix of hding from the continous rain, going hiking on the small trails to beautiful beaches (lopez mendez is apparently one of the best in Brazil and was certainly worth the 6hour round trek) and enjoying local muscians with a few beers.

We left sun drenched Ilha Grande on the Friday (yes, i can just about remember what day it is) and continued south the historic town of Paraty. We managed to find a brilliant little camp site only 30second walk from the beach and the small bars which sold the best pasties, think 30cm samosas filled with shellfish, tomato and onion with lemon juice - well tasty with a chilled glass of Skol. We did a bit of site seeing around the old town and managed to come out without any bo\roken ankles, the cobbles were a nightmare in the afternoon heat. Nights were hot and often rainy but the atmosphere created with lots of families and more than a few guitarist made things really relaxing - a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle of Rio.

Am currently in Foz do Iguazu,home of one of the best waterfalls in the world, close to the borders of Argentina and Paraguay. We've arrived this morning after comfortable 6hr journey from Paraty to Sao Paulo, and out first chance to head inland then another 16hr overnight bus to Foz. We've found ourselves a nice little hotel and are venturing over to Argentina tomorrow for a tour of the falls.

hope all is well and will be in touch soon

Lucas and Sarah

PS - cheers for the replies, nice to know people follow our progress

Dear All,

Just sitting in a little internet cafe while we wait for the bus to take us back to Rio then further south to the green island of Ilha Grande. We spent the first three days in Rio staying a hostel with the most helpful owner called Jorge from Argentina who married a local.

The weather was a little overcast, not the 33 degrees and sunny we were expecting but made it a hell of a lot easier to get around without dying of heat exhaution. Our room had its own little rain forest just outisde the door. We could lie in bed and watch the bananas grow and the humming birds fly about. Took trip up sugar loaf mountain by cable car which was well worth it as the weather cleared up and Christ the Redeemer popped out for a quick photo opportunity.

After 3 days of hectic city living we headed north about 100km to a sleepy surf spot called Saquarema. Unfortunaely we couldn´t find the campsite we looking for but treated ourselves to a lovely pousada with beachside access, ensuite, TV and a swimming pool, for about seven pounds fifty a night. What a shame!! We even managed to get a full days sun shine but ended up a little more red than expected. The locals took pity on us and bought us a few drinks while we hid in the shade.

Today we off to a small island called Ihla Grande south of Rio, and then down to a small place called Parati.

Hope all is well at home. Be in touch soon. (Mum and Dad will try calling later this week).

Love to you all,Sarah and Lucas