Obrigada Brasil...

So Alli and I were lucky enough to get on the exact same flight and we made our way onto our next adventure, Salvador. From the moment we left the airport we were offered the most help we had seen in Brasil. From the lady who helped us find the bus and paying for our tickets to helping us find our hostel. But that didn't come easy. After trekking through the central historic centre of Salvador for over an hour in the disgusting heat with all out baggage (and for those who don't know the area, it's NOT flat) we finally found the Acai Hostel.

Salvador had plenty to offer us in all the categories. Culture, tastes, sights and entertainment all of which we made sure to dip our toes in. And this is where we met Adrian, a Frenchmen who had just begun the start of an amazing journey to 26 different countries for his project "humans of the world". From here we managed to lure him into coming with us to our next destination, chapada Diamontina. Stocked up on snacks and supplies (left over wine) we boarded the bus to wilderness. Our 6 hour trip west quickly turned into a 9 hour roll thanks to the well known brasilian traffic and road works. As we watched the sunset over our original arrival time, we thought it was be a perfect time to open the wine. Soon enough our idea became a problem as we realised we needed a bottle opener. With a quick look around the bus we spotted the most gringo looking pair; a Swedish guy named Paul and a kiwi Jamie who happened to have exactly what we needed and before long we were playing pass the bottle around the bus. Since our bus was delayed 3 hours we arrived in the middle of the night and we all headed toward the hostels. After a few attempts the 5 of us ended up in one room; a double bed, bunk beds and a mattress on the floor. From strangers to bed buddies, this is travelling!!!! The next day we decided to rent a car and go check out Brasils highest waterfall and book in our 3 days hike into the wilderness. The first day of our adventure involved a squishy car ride to the begging of the trail, and here we would walk up. In the heat. And up some more before descending into our camp for the night next to a rushing cold river who's water was stained bright red from the minerals in the soil. Here we dumped our stuff and carried on hiking until we reached a flowing river In between two giant walls. Here we stripped down and headed up the river for about an hour until we reached the beginning, a giant waterfall . Day 2. After a restless sleep from trying to hide from either Mosquitos or the rain we packed up to begin the next day. Crossing the valleys of the mountains onto the next, trekking through the heat of Brasil up and down mountains meant that nothing was more rewarding than the sight of another chilled waterfall and a pool to refresh in and this place is in no short supply. We finally reach our camp for the second night and begin to set up and prep dinner. Another amazing night under the stars away from the rest of the world. Final day arrived and we decended down from the beginng of a waterfall to the bottom where we swam in the pool. Sadly we had to head back towards town, but not before stopping at the huge natural water slide, where Jamie and I got plenty of fun use.  Another car hire decision later saw us all strapped in while I tried my hand at driving on the right hand side of the road, which finally saw us arrive at the poco azul. Stripped and washed we climed down in the earth and into the clearest bluest water. During different times of the year the water changes colour, but remains so clear you can see everything on the bottom 4/5 meters below. After Another extremely bumpy long drive we arrived at the poco enchanto supposed to be better than the last, but not at the end of the day when we finally arrived. With a discount and a free drink we were back in the car returning to town. After spending 4 days together with complete strangers in raw state i can say I have made some very great friends. Paul the most worldly guy ive ever met, who knows Australian slang and kiwi jokes and sounds nothing like a sweed has to be one of the funniest people I've ever met. Jamie my kiwi sibling has us all in laughter and was happy to share around the massages. LOVE THE BOOCOCK! But Sadly it was time to pay all the bills and return back to Salvador on the midnight express, but not before something had to go wrong. My bank card is canceled and I've been advised I need to order a new card, and surprisingly enough they don't sent international. Sooooo after a IOU and my last cash spent on the bus we arrived in the early morning to ACAI hostel.
My new second home. Here I had to wait for my emergency credit card so I had to say goodbye to my new friends and Allie who were headed off to Rio. Soon discovered I had an travel card I could apply money too, withdraw cash and shipped myself over to Morro de São Paulo. I spent 3 days sunning my already tanned skin, foam partying making new friends and more tanning. Amazing place to watch the days slip away and the sun to set. Back to mainland and onto a bus to Rio, My love.

        


33 hours later I arrived to somewhere familiar an greeted with friendly smiles and a home cooked Mexican meal. I was finally back in what felt like my lost love. What was even better was Dylan was back from the US. Back to the rio life of beaching, bike riding, parties and more beach. It felt great to be back. What was meant to be a week turned quickly into 2 weeks before I yet again said goodbye.

Another bus, Rio - São Paulo. The perfect 6 hour journey where I was greeted by 6Am morning rush hour in the subway. Something I recommend everyone to try. Definitely an experience with a huge backpack. Sometimes when travelling on a budget and in new towns you're not quite sure of distances on maps from places and when people write 10min walk they mean 30 especially with baggage, so it's hard to guess whether or not to tough it up, get a bus or a taxi. This morning I assumed the walk would be easy. I guessed wrong, specially for that hour walking against the peak hour traffic. An exhausting too early walk later I finally reached my hostel at 7:30am. Too early to check in, too tired to wander around. 5 minutes later in walked another guy, who looked like he just hiked the exact trail I did. Pierre from South Africa just touched down in South America and shortly we were off to find food. After stocking up our empty stomaches we were checked in and in bed. Short nap later I was dressed and inviting my new friend to come along to meet my old friend Talitha- my very own personal tour guide of São Paulo.

For the next 5 days I spent roaming around the city with her or Pierre and gareth,  getting lost, trying new foods and terrible artsy movies. And not to mention the crazy nights out. Along my journey I had heard very mixed reports about São Paulo, and I have to say it's one city that I really loved. It has so much to offer every day and not to mention some of the greatest people I have ever met.  Sadly I knew I had to keep my journey going and jumped on the next bus to Foz de Igauzu. Another early morning start, no internet and no idea I shared a cab with 2 kiwis to their hostel where I could use the wifi to check what was around, meaning to arrive at the hostel allie was arriving in, I ended up at the che lagarto. Tired and exhausted I crashed into my bed. Soon enough I was awoken by a German girl Connie who informed me she was going to the falls and invited me. We jumped on the bus and headed in. Like two kids in a candy shop we bounced around the park gushing at all the sights. From RAGENBORGENs to shemterlings ( rainbows and butterflies) oh and the falls the self hahaha. We had a lot of fun together before returning to the hostel. The next day I tagged along with 3 brasilerias I met in the hostel who were heading over to Paraguay for the day to so some shopping. Since the weather was terrible to see the falls I didn't see the problem, and hey, new country right? After a day of crazy shopping I was happy to return and prepare for my last night in Brasil. :(