Spectacular!

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After Sao Paulo I headed down to Curitiba to take a train ride that I had been looking forward to since the moment I finished reading the blurb about it in my Lonely Planet Guidebook. As the train departed Curitiba it was raining and I was feeling somwhat sorry for myself as I was thinking that there is no way that it could be as fantastic as I had hoped for if it was raining. The guide was quick to try and calm my fears by saying that no matter the weather the trip would be worthwhile. Luckily she was right. It was absolutely incredible. The train runs on a narrow gauge track and go through 13 tunnels and over 67 bridges. The train runs through a mountain range and goes around a couple of canyons, meaning you look out the window and down below and for as far as you can see is these amazing valleys with such gorgeous vibrant vegetation that you spend the whole trip just in awe. I took quite a few photos but I have to say I was more interested in just taking it all in as the views were absolutely breathtaking.

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At the end of the track I discovered the town I was in did not have an atm to accept my visa card so I managed to scrounge up the three dollars I had in the bottom of my backpack to catch the bus to a town that did. I then met a couple of french girls, one who spoke english and one who although did apparently speak english made no effort to communicate with me. Despite this we all caught a boat together to a little island called Ilha do Mel. I had planned to stay in the YHA there but the french girls and I were offered a room for significantly cheaper so we all shared a room instead.

views from the train
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My first full day on the island I decided I would go exploring. Me being me didnt read the map correctly and thought that my explorations were a total of 8.8kms as a round trip. Turned out it was 8.8 one way. Although despite being over 17 kms of walking on sand it was definately worthwhile. The island is gorgeous and has a few touristy points scattered about it to give lonely adventurers like me a place to chat with other tourists for a while before heading off on my own again. I also got to talk to a local artist which was very interesting and he gave me quite a good history lesson which unfortunately I cannot recount to you as although it was very interesting it went in one ear and out the other!

Ilha do Mel
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That night a strange guide type lady took me, the french girls and two brasilian girls to a dance. It was ok, although the age difference between us and the men trying to attract our attention was a bit disturbing! The best thing to come out of the night was making friends with the Brasilian girls, as we all decided after the Brasil match with Aus the following day that we would head to Curitiba and explore the city together.

Watching the Brasil game was very intense, only aussie on an island filled with Brasilians. I dont think I have been that nervous or worked up about a sports game in my whole life. Nor have I felt so patriotic, its crazy what sport can do to you! None the less it was a lot of fun!