THE BIG ADVENTURE 2

We're moving!

jonathan1966 — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 16:49:00 GMT

Sadly we have been unable to resolve the issue of uploading photos to this site (Amazon don't support it) which is a real shame as it is a great website, really easy to use and packed with great information.

We have set up a new journal, complete with loads of photos, and will email the link to you all shortly. Just in case we accidentally omit you from the email (it has been known!), here is the link http://jauntlet.com/thebigadventure-2

We have found that it's not as easy to use as this website so if you have any trouble please let's us know.

See you at jaunlet.com

J & J

Greetings from sunny Sao Paulo

jonathan1966 — Mon, 8 Sep 2014 13:07:00 GMT

Well hello again. Sorry for the delay in updating the blog but we've been having some trouble getting online. Although WiFi is available everywhere we haven't been able to connect. Apparently we're not the only ones so it's not just because we are technophobes! Anyway we have now discovered a lovely cafe near the hostel where we can get connected and not only specialises in coffee but serves vegetarian options too. Result! One more technical issue is that we can't download the app required to upload photos to this blog (not supported by the Kindle) so we are looking at either putting them on the Amazon Cloud and sharing from there or trying a different blog site but we'll let you know. Oh and the phone has died and the charger appears to be knackered!

Anyway, technical issues aside, we are having a fantastic time here in Sao Paulo. Vila Madelena where we are staying is a really relaxed, bohemian and safe neighbourhood with a vibrant cafe/bar society which leads to a lively scene both day and night! There are lots of lovely boutiques and galleries to browse in and a couple of "graffiti streets" which we will share the photos of asap.

It's easy to get round the city on public transport and you can get from one end of this massive city to the other for less than a quid if you don't leave the metro. Just as well as we are trying to pack as much in as possible. We've been to the beautiful Parque Ibirapuera which has been likened to Central Park as it is an oasis of green surrounded by skyscrapers. We've also visited the excellent contemporary art museum (MAC) and the Japanese district of Liberdade. There is so much to see and do in this city of 17 million people, 6 million cars and 15,000 buses and we are thoroughly enjoying exploring it.

Amsterdam 1-4 September

jonathan1966 — Thu, 4 Sep 2014 09:23:00 GMT

Thank you Amsterdam for a lovely time and a relaxed start to our trip. We arrived exhausted due to the hectic final week we had preparing to come away. Despite taking it easy (only 2 museums instead of the 4-5 planned) we are still exhausted! This is down to all the walking we have done around this beautiful city. Having never been here before, we have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the canals and narrow streets and the stunning architecture. On more than one occasion, Jonathan found himself walking and talking by himself as Jeannie had stopped to gaze at a building or some Art Nouveaux tiles. She made it up to him however by allowing plenty of stops at brown pubs and coffee shops (no not that sort!). Definitely a city we will return to.

Things we didn't know about Amsterdam before we came:

- they have parrots! Green parrots that squawk and swoop around the early evening sky. We thought we were back in Australia.

- how many Art Deco buildings there are. Jeannie was in heaven.

- just how many bikes you can fit in a small space/narrow street.

- how fast some people can ride said bikes down narrow streets.

- which way to look when crossing 3 lanes of traffic ie bikes/trams/bikes with a few cars thrown in for good measure. Come to think of it, I still don't think we've worked that one out!

Got to go, just about to board for Sao Paulo. Excited!

The Big Adventure #2 Begins

jonathan1966 — Mon, 1 Sep 2014 09:51:00 GMT

Well exactly 3 years to the day we departed on The Big Adventure #1 & 2 years to the day we returned, we are finally embarking on #2.

Sitting in Glasgow Airport, there's no turning back now! First stop is Amsterdam for 3 nights then on to Sao Paulo, Brazil on Thursday.

Watch this space for updates on our adventures.