Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

September 7, 2016

After a twelve hour delay we finally landed in Rio de Janeiro, the first stop on our journey. From the taxi window we could see the sun shining light over the favelas, graffiti scrawled on walls and the beautiful distant mountains. With the help of Lola who we met on our connection in Frankfurt we made it to our apartment in Copacabana with no problem.

The next morning we went for an early walk, we walked the entire length of Ipanema beach. As we passed cyclists and joggers the heat became more intense, we stopped for a drink with a view over the whole beach while a guy on a guitar played 'Girl from Ipanema' singing the lyrics in Portugese. We walked all the way back to Copacabana getting lunch at a popular 'pay by weight' restaurant before a walk along the sands and surf of Copacabana beach.

The next day we found ourselves struggling with the public transport system on our way to Sugarloaf mountain but a long walk, taxi ride and a cable car later and the whole of Rio was spread out before us. After enjoying the views and making friends with a little marmoset we made our way to Lapa and visited Escadaria Selaròn, the most famous steps in Rio.

Cristo Redentor was next on our list, we took the bus to the foot of Corcovado mountain the next day then the funicular train up. Corcovado was shrouded with cloud meaning that our views of Rio were obscured, we enjoyed seeing Cristo and people watching. After, we made our way to peaceful Jardim Botânico, full of beautiful cactus, orchids and gardens of all sorts.

After a busy few days we spent the next morning in our apartment booking the coach to our next destination as well as hostel beds. We then walked to the Lagoa where we hired bikes and cycled around the whole lake; R$24 well spent! After, we ate a delicious vegan/vegetarian meal at Teva in Ipanema with Lola and Felipe.

Paraty is our next destination, I'm finishing my writing while waiting for our coach. Rio has been a wonderful start to our trip, although those days I dreamed I'd spend on the beach didn't quite happen, there was just too much to see and do!

🎥 Brazil and Iguazu Falls video:

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Backpacking Begins

September 4, 2016

September 1st, it's a special and memorable date for me and my partner Craig. It's the date that we flew to Beijing in 2011 to embark upon eight months of travel. We chose the exact same date to fly to Rio de Janeiro where - as I'm writing this - we have just enjoyed our first full day.

Our travels are open ended and fairly unplanned, we hope to be on the road for a year and would like to see most of the South American countries before moving on to another continent or home depending on our financial situation.

This journal will be used to record this journey, place by place or week by week depending on Internet access and time. I hope you will follow along.

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100/100

August 9, 2016

This week I finished the 100 days project. It was a challenge to say the least! I managed to go quite a number of days before lapsing and then found that I relaxed and took the project less seriously as time went on. Some days were so easy and other days I really struggled to the point of wanting to quit but I'm so glad I persevered.

The project made me feel less restricted in my subject, usually I only draw from photographs of places with significance. I found that I could paint some washy shapes with ink and claim them as mountains, islands or clouds and feel confident doing so.

The project also gave me the opportunity to practice more mark making with pen and introduce a little colour to my work. I'll continue to draw on a postcard format as I enjoy the small scale and the convenience of working quickly and freely.