Unexpected Lunchbox in Ipanema

Ole! I'm in Rio with me pal The Dirty Harris. We're here seeing lovely Fernando and his fella Marcelo, and its Simon's first time, he's a virgin you know.


Anyway, anyway. I had the most pleasant surprise the other afternoon on loosing Simon along Ipanema (that wasn't the pleasant thing you silly), I loitered hoping he would turn up and I found myself following this smiley chappy walking along the shore and then realised I know that smile! It was me lovely lunchbox of beer!





Had a funny evening out at a place called the Week, fully of Bundalicious... you don't need to know those details... anyway anyway.. had a great night and following day on the beach and yakking and drinking mmm sweet guaran-acai batidos mmm. Left Rio this morning, a beautiful morning it was, i'm thinkin morning is best there, and now we're in Paraty.


here are some of the extra bits of interest around those parts...

Petra ain't no dog

On the way into the city... with some very charming jordanians trying to sell horsey rides down or back up and calling me lovely jubbly when I replied to their -where are you from- questions. Nice to know del-boy got this far and not just that yankie doodle indiana jones!




I did nearly buy the outfit to do the adventure in... they are for sale on entry... still, it was not that touristy, really :)














They broke into the warmest of smiles and greetings just after the photo, I must have caught them off guard.

I just didn't want to miss the opportunity, I'm a sucker for uniforms, especially with a tradish helmet. I really, really didn't like the big bear hat thing the orthodox jews wear, by the way, before, when I was in Israel. It just seems wierd. I mean, what got into their heads to bring something so old fashioned and polish to the scorching desert? I am certain god thinks them very odd indeed. I am certain god doesn't approve of them being so insular and cutting themselves off from the rest of his creation by being so -our team- I'm sure. I know in fact coz I have a direct line. Which is odd coz I am decidedly secular.

Am I sounding pompous? mmm... must be me mood this afternoon. Can't be perfect. heyhoo.



These two, I loved them, they were just trottin along, as if they'd just left work for the day, on the way home, all casual like, on their little donkeys. Very cute.






I loved the tea pot, it was just sitting there. This was on the way down the other side of the High Place of Sacrifice.



Lots more photos on facebook... Petra was amazing, and even better than I expect. I thought it would be just a few small facades etched into the hill side, but it really is a hugh city carved into stone through a large area of valley. I only spent the day but you could so easily spend three. And I so want to go back to Jordan and see the whole country. Mmm next year? Anyone wanna come?

Shalom from the Holy land, or ole, or salum ali cum.. or whatever it is

Coming to the end of a very interesting, fun and humus filled trip to Israel; blame easyjet and their damn cheapio flights :)

This was the lovely pool I swam in everyday in Tel Aviv, during the first week. Mmm 50m of salty water... mmm...














Now in Jerusalem, lots of wonderful buildings but I am a bit itchy with all the religious types full of their passion for Christ, Judy or Momo, depending on who you talk with.




It wasn't my favortite place in Israel at all, but there were some sweet views :p








A cheery fella tried to convert me to Islam yesterday, up the Souq! How rude.

Before that, an attractive Armenian taxi driver (lovely skin, big strong arms...) followed me down the road to the JaffaCake gate insisting I let him take me for a quick one (ride that is), free of charge, to bring him luck! Mmm... do I look that foolish? or Easy?? Answers on a post card please.

If you'd asked me for my ideal thing to happen, I would have said to have come across a group of Israeli soldiers bathing in the hot sun... mmm and guess what I got..

I was feeling as content as can be just about then... hehehe

I thank you.

The ShatShuka, mmm


I've been eating alot of this for breakfast and it is delicious - I've even started making for myself when staying at hostels... I impressed a bunch of Germans with my spice eggs! woohoo!

This place was amazing, Mizpe Ramon, in the south west desert, really amazing landscapes and great for hiking about and loosing yourself (metaphorically... i rarely get lost.)




ps. Israel has been great but Petra was the highlight