Parrot Head

Location: Ilha Grande

Today some girls too many to name and I decided to take a hike through the mountains up to 'Parrot Head' (see mountain peak in pic). The hike ended up not getting us to the top of Parrot Head but around it to the beach on the other side. It was a 2.5 hour hike but we were told when we got there a boat would be available to take us back to where we came from. The water unfortunately was still rough and the boat was not there to take us back, I can't say I was overly disappointed, not in a rush to get back on a barf barge. So the only way back to town was through the mountain again. We enjoyed the ocean and beach for an hour or so and headed back round the mountain. I went the long way browsed the streets before getting back to my hut and taking a long warm shower.

In the evening we had dinner, seafood, on the beach. Drinks of course followed dinner, such is the case when on vacation. Everyone seemed to have fun getting to know each other a little better. Most left before 1:00 am but left standing was me and Stevo of course. He told me some crazy stories, all that I have written down so I don't forget them. We had a few more drinks and stumbled home just after 2:00 am.

Ilha Grande

Location: Ilah Grande, Brazil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilha_Grande .

Two hours on a bus, Two plus of the longest hours of my life on a boat... or more accurately the 'Barf Barge' (right) on route to Ilah Grande. What a frickin adventure, I'm still a bit traumatized to speak of said boat ride. Missing the 'luxurious' ferry had to take a barely floating, miniature boat that had a capacity of 25 with 50 people aboard. 'The weather started getting rough and the tiny ship was tossed' yes and then people started tossing their cookies, or spaghetti as the case was for little boy with the face of a man. I was now not only concerned for my life as the boat was often on a 45 degree angle, but I was trying to avoid getting puked on. Trying hard not to make the boy feel worse I looked the other way, but as the waters got more violent and the vomit a like I attempted to run to the front of the boat. I say attempted as I only made it half way, fell on an elder lady and broke some eggs. As the boat calmed down for a moment I tried again to get up, but the old bag I fell on wouldn't let go of my ruck-sack ... we had a bit of a tug-of-war, I won, and finally made my way to the front of the boat to stand and breath fresh air. What I didn't notice thank goodness was that the lady next to the old bag was actually throwing up into a see-through plastic bag for everyone to see. Just as I thought the excitement was over there was a mad rush to the back of the boat. The captain and skipper were throwing ropes overboard and screaming bloody murder. I thought this was it, my final moments were going to be in the shaky waters of Brazil. I was mistaken though, we were actually rescuing another boat. AH!

Such an ordeal could not have ended as perfectly as it did. Although it was pouring rain the island was such of a Paradise that I cannot describe. Small, quaint, precious. The accommodations were the same, small wooden huts hidden in the trees. For dinner we ate at a restaurant/bar the name of which I can't remember, nothing special, but good food, conversation and fabulous drinks. I was introduced to a Caiporoska (your fruit of choice with vodka & sugar) and I loved it. Yum!

I got acquainted with Stevo (gap tour leader), poor guy was mugged in Rio and in a coma for 3 days before I met him in Rio. Turns out he is a bit of a party animal, more so then me believe it or not.

Although today was mostly a travel day it was still pretty eventful. I have so far loved my time here, only complaint is that I'm going to bed early... it's only 1:00 am. Oh and the weather isn't that great, but it's only day 2 :-)

Rio De Janeiro

Location: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Hola Everyone!

It is now the more exciting part of my trip, that being South America. As mentioned previously I started my journey in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Upon arrival I was greeted by a taxi driver. Yes I had a man with a sign waiting for me, how exciting! Regardless of the excitement I almost fell asleep on the way to the hotel. I know I can't sleep for 3 days and now I am fighting sleep when I get to Brazil. Bugger F@&K! Anyway, once I got to my hotel I booked a tour for the afternoon and took a quick nap. Guess what I couldn't sleep, but I did rest.

I did a tour of the city that took me through Rio and then to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. We only stopped a few times, the first stop was at San Sebastian Cathedral, the patron saint of Rio who happens to be Italian. The Cathedral is beautiful, looks like a pyramid, I've never seen a church like it. Our next stop was Sugar Loaf Mountain, from the top of which you can see all of Rio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarloaf_Mountain,_Brazil I took cable cars up to the top of it, but you can climb it. Some highlights were the views of Christ the King, the statue at the top of the city; Copacabana Beach (pictured above) where there is currently a beach soccer tournament going on, and Rio... all of RIO!

For dinner I went to a Brazilian Buffet, perfect for a carny like me, it's basically a buffet but the kicker is the bring meat to your table, 27 kinds of it, on sticks! Yum! Either way the food was good and now it is finally time for bed.

Airport or Adult Entertainment Facility?

Location: Miami International Airport

So the flight was fine, nothing fun to report. There was no sleep and a good amount of turbulence, by good amount I mean bad, too much. I made it though and now I'm in the airport. I have a few hours to kill here, I was going to venture out of the airport but it has become and quite interesting so I have decided to stay.

For example while shopping (the airport is my favourite place to shop) I found a portable 'massager' that was shaped like.. well a long really thick pen kinda thing if you get my drift. The funniest part was the caption on the box which said 'The perfect travel sized massager, shaped to pin point your pain.' RIGHT! I wanted to take a picture, but I thought I would get in trouble or at least dirty looks.

Incident number two: I just walked by a man blatantly watching porn on his laptop in the middle of the airport lounge. I decided to sit next to said man and watch the 'Boob Tube' so to speak. lol. No I didn't, I am actually sitting across from porn guy giggling to myself. I guess that doesn't make me look much better, does it.

Incident number three: I am calling this 'The Man with the Erection', surprisingly, not the man watching porn or porn guy as I called him. Still at the airport, the happiest place on earth in my opinion, proves itself to me, yet again. I just watched a couple re-unite and it was touching. Unfortunately, I was sitting and they were standing so their (specifically his) crotch was at my eye level. This of course is how my innocent eyes gazed upon his erection. At first I thought he actually had something in his pocket, but then I noticed, as I couldn't release my eyes, that it changed in a fashion that only an erection would (would not wood ha ha... now I'm giggling again)

Anyway, it is now 6 pm I still have time to kill and all I want to do is sleep, but not sure where I can :-)

Bon Voyage Toronto

Location: American Airlines Flight 1011

Where do I start? I know, the beginning should be obvious, start the journal when I get to my destination, this trip being South America starting in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Well I would normally disagree and begin somewhere between the airport and the plane ride. Today I am going to start even earlier, I am going to begin with the day before my journey. You may not see why it relevant, but it has effective my entire day.

So let us begin. I decided it would be wise not, yes not, sleep before my trip. My logic was that it was a 20 hour journey and I wanted to sleep the entire way so I would arrive well rested, fresh and ready for new adventures when I arrived in Rio. So my last night myself and the gang LS, DC, RM & I went out until 6 am! I went home and finished packing then tried to wake up LS at 9:00 so she could drive me to the airport. She did manage to wake up and successfully get me to my plane on time. Her journey home on the other hand was a story in itself... but her story to tell not mine. Looking forward to sleeping on the plane I had no coffee and no energy providing substance at all. That didn't matter, 'cause I didn't sleep, not yet, not one wink.

Despite my lack of sleep I am enjoying my day at the Miami International Airport It started with my chipper self going through US customs explaining to the customs officer that I was going to South America, by myself, for fun. Apparently this was odd, or he thought I was transporting some illegal narcotics because ... well here is our conversation.
Officer: Where are you travelling to today?
Marisa: South America, starting in Brazil.
O: What for?
M: Fun
O: Fun? Do you know anyone there?
M: Nope
O: Why Brazil?
M: For fun.
O: Who are you travelling with?
M: No one... just me.
O: Why?
M: For fun. (sticking to my story)
O: What do you do?
M: I'm a Real Estate Agent.
O: Do you Speak Portuguese?
M: No
O: Good luck.... (he gestures that I am done and I begin to walk away) oh and have FUN.
So I thought this was funny before I wrote it (could have been the lack of sleep), now not as funny, but I am choosing to leave that in.