Life as we like it

Sandra reconstructing a norwegian butter-commercial

So far, we`ve spent some wonderful days in Rio de Janeiro. The weather hasn`t been on our side, but the city has alot to offer anyway. Biking trips, visiting historical sites, almost getting robbed, seeing the famous "Seralon steps" aka "Lapa steps" and visiting Sugar Loaf are some of the things we`ve been up to.

In the hostel we have been staying, we`ve met many backpackers from different countries. We especially spent alot of time with the english couple Mike and Jayne. They`ve been traveling in South-America for three months and visiting places we are planning to see in this trip, and they gave us alot of good tips.

Hanging out with Mike and Jayne in the hostel kitchen

"Ceeeeelebrate good times, come on!" 28th of september was a celebrating day, Jannes birthday! The night before was spent in Academia de cachaça, and unfortunately (or luckily) we don`t have any pictures from this night of caipirinhas. The next day we treated ourself with a exclusive massage at a spa in Ipanema, plus a nice mexican dinner. She also got cupcakes, candles and balloons - you never get too old for that!

But Janne having a birthday was not the only special happening this day. In the evening Ole Martin came from Norway to visit Sandra and to travel with us for the next two weeks.

Visiting the "Lapa steps"

Here we met Seralon, an artist from Chile who started this art-project in 1996. He has devoted his life to adding colour to these 250 stairs in the centre of Lapa, Rio de Janerio. Most of the materials are donations – leftovers from construction sites all over the world and from people who simply want to be a part of his colourful creation. While the colours vary a little, you’ll notice the recurring theme of blue, green and yellow – the colours of the brazilian flag.

Carioca Acqueduct

Visiting the botanical garden in Rio.

Friday we left Rio de Janeiro and headed to Ilha Grande, an island outside the coast of Brazil. This place is free from cars, banks and the noise from the city. Rainforest covers the island, and it is famous for all its beautiful beaches.

The harbour in Ilha Grande

We are staying in Holandes Hostel for the weekend, a cheep but beautiful place that looks like it`s from a fairytale.

We live here! The fish lives in the pond.

From left to right: Dingo the dog, the three english backpackers we met on the boat to Ilha Grande: Rafi, Jeff and Tim, Ole Martin and Sandra. Janne is behind the camera as usual.

The first day in Ilha Grande we decided to hike! There are many trails around the island which all leads to different beaches. We did a three hour hike up and down mountains, passing three different beaches, and ended up in Lopes Mendes - a beach that was rated as one of the top ten beaches in the world by Vouge Magazine. Even though it was cloudy, the temperature was warm and the nature was beautiful.

The trail went throgh the rainforest, and we had to watch out for snakes and spiders.

When we came to the first beach after almost two hours, it was very refreshing to take a swim!

Lopes Mendes was perfect for yoga and exercising

From Abraao, the "city"-center, Dingo the dog followed us all the way to Lopes Mendes. He was like our own personal guide, and he knew the trails very well. Sadly we had to leave him behind when we took the boat back.